Chester FC are back at the Deva Community Stadium, for the last time before the National League North season begins, to face League Two side Crewe Alexandra.
Saturday should prove a challenging encounter for the Seals but after an impressive 3-0 victory over Nantwich Town on Tuesday night, Parkinson and his staff will want to carry momentum from a two-game winning run into the 2026/27 season.
Opposition
Seven days after their 2-1 loss to Championship side Birmingham City, Crewe travel to the Deva Community Stadium looking for a positive result before their focus shifts towards their season opening League Cup tie against Accrington Stanley in a week’s time.
After finishing 11th in their 2025/26 League Two season, the Alex have strengthened in the transfer market, bringing in experienced players with previous promotion success. Manager Lee Bell will hope to use this fixture as the last chance to bed in his new recruits.
Since taking charge in November 2022, Bell transformed his side into consistent play-off challengers, as in his first full season he carried his team to Wembley for the first time in 11 years as they lost the play-off final 2-0 to Crawley Town.
The former Crewe player nearly achieved the same feat last season as their impressive form culminated in the month of February as his side recorded four wins in six games, pushing them firmly into the play-off places. It also earned Bell a nomination for the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month award.
However, hopes of promotion faded after they took four points out of the last 18 available, leading to a drop towards mid-table as they ended 11 points adrift of the top seven.
Hoping to bridge that gap and boost the promotion experience in the team, the Railwaymen have recruited 28-year-old Jordan Gibson on a three-year contract. The former Carlisle United player has spearheaded two promotions out of the division in four years, adding valuable experience and knowhow to a relatively youthful squad.
History
11 years after they formed, Crewe became a founding member of the Football League Second Division in 1892, but due to financial struggles they only remained for four years. Eventually returning as a permanent member again in 1921.
Our opponents had an unforgettable two-season trophy-laden run starting in the 2011/12 campaign, as 20 years after their first trip to the old Wembley, Crewe won their second ever game at the home of football, beating Cheltenham Town 2–0 in the League Two play-off final, which to this day is the last time they have been promoted through the play-offs.
The following season usurped that as they secured their first and only national trophy, as yet again they won 2-0 at Wembley. This time they faced Southend United in the English Football League Trophy in front of 43,842 supporters.
It was in this same competition that we last faced Saturday’s opponents, meeting them in the first round in September 2007, where we took down Steve Holland’s side 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Player to watch
Josh March will pose a threat to the Chester back line as the 29-year-old was the top scorer in his debut season for the Alex, scoring 11 goals and registering five assists.
March started the campaign for his new club in fine form as he got two goals and three assists in his first month of the season, earning him the Crewe Alexandra Player of the Month award for August 2025.
Match Preview by Harry Bennett.
Match details
The match will kick-off at 3PM at the Deva Community Stadium.
Open Day
The Chester FC Open Day ahead of the 2026/27 will take place on Saturday 1st August, prior to our final pre-season friendly against Crewe Alexandra at the Deva Community Stadium.
The event is designed to bring supporters even closer to the club, giving them a chance to learn about legends of the past, meet the manager, and speak to fellow Blues supporter groups.
The office will also be open from 11:00 for people to collect season tickets and to purchase Summer Superdraw tickets.
Events planned for the day:
- Hot & Cold Refreshments under a Marquee with Various Fan Groups
- Meet the Manager, from 12:30
- Tour of the Deva Community Stadium with photo opportunities, starting 12:00
- Fun Children’s Activities
- Free Car Parking until 13:00, Normal Matchday charges will apply after 13:00
- Screening of 1963 film ‘Study of a Soccer Club’, from 11:00
- Retro Programmes On Sale
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