PRE-SEASON PREVIEW: CHESTER FC v STOCKPORT COUNTY

Chester FC's pre-season preparations for the upcoming campaign fully commence this Saturday, as they play host to League One’s Stockport County at the Deva Stadium.

This weekend’s fixture gives Chester manager Calum McIntyre and his staff an opportunity to see his new-look squad in action for the first time and for many Seals fans this will be their first glimpse at our seven summer signings.

Saturday’s game is the first of six pre-season friendlies for the Blues this summer, as McIntyre and his team can look forward to testing themselves against an array of different opponents.

We welcome Championship outfit Stoke City to CH1 next Thursday and National League side Altrincham on the 27th July, with a trip to the Isle of Man sandwiched in between. Our pre-season concludes with an away trip to Robbie Savage’s Macclesfield on the 3rd August.

THE OPPOSITION

Last season’s League Two Champions Stockport County provide a stern test for the Blues, as they themselves prepare for their first League One campaign since the 2009/10 season.

Dave Chanillor’s men amassed 92 points in what was a record breaking season for the Hatters, as they claimed top spot and most importantly sealed automatic promotion to the third tier of English football.

It may be a sense of Déjà Vu for both fanbases as this is the second successive season the Blues have hosted Stockport in a pre-season friendly. The visitors narrowly won 3-2 last year, with the Chester goals coming courtesy of Charlie Caton and a Declan Weeks penalty.

TRANSFER SUMMARY

With a number of new faces entering the fray, let’s do a quick overview of our transfer business so far…

There is a new man in between the sticks as Cam Mason signed along the dotted line to become our new No.1. The 28-year-old most recently helped Craig Mahon’s Curzon Ashton reach the National League North playoffs last term.

We have bolstered our defensive ranks with the signings of Ben Pollock, Connell Rawlinson and Jordan Hunter. Ben was our first arrival of the summer with the centre half most recently enjoying a spell at Spennymoor Town. Connel needs no introduction as the 32-year-old has returned home after 15 years away from CH1. Highly rated full-back Jordan moves to the Deva Stadium from Gateshead with an abundance of appearances at National League level.

We have two new faces in the middle of the park with Jack Bainbridge and Mitch Hancox adding to an already talented and experienced midfield. The former joins the Seals after helping Marine earn promotion to the National League North with well over a century of appearances at this level under his belt whilst the latter is a three-time promotion winner with Macclesfield, MK Dons and York City.

And last but not least, forward Dan Turner joins the Seals for the 2024/25 campaign from fellow National League North side Brackley Town.

The 25-year-old has a proven track record of finding the net in this division and he is equally as comfortable in a wider position.

Match Preview By Jude Deedigan.

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 1pm at The Deva Stadium on Saturday. The Referee for the game is Harry Jones.

Chester supporters will be in the East Stand and North Terrace, with Stockport County supporters allocated all of the Mike Metcalf (WEST) Stand.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Tickets: Available online: 

CLICK HERE! 

Contactless payments are available at the turnstile, with cash payments available at the Ticket Office.

Programme: A pre-season programme, covering all three home fixtures, will be available at the game for just £2.50.

Club Shop: The Shop will be open from 11.30am up until kick off for all of your purchases.

Food: The GWG Van will be serving hot food from 11.30am up until kick off outside of the ground, with kiosks open in the stands for all your hot and cold refreshments and snacks.

The Cestrian Bar: The bar will be open from 11am on Saturday, and then also after the game as England play their EURO 2024 QF at 5pm on the big screens.

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