Football League 2
Saturday 30th August 2008
Kick off 3.00pm

Stadium The Deva Stadium, Bumpers Lane, Chester, CH1 4LT
Telephone 01244371 376
Club Colours Navy and Sky Blue plus White
Nickname The Blues or City

Official Website www.chestercityfc.net

Key Personnel Manager Simon Davies

Brief Directions By Road
A round trip of approx. 400 miles awaits and there are various ways of getting to Chester. Via the A41 is the most scenic, but the following route is the most direct and easy to follow courtesy of Chester City FC. M6 to junction 18 and onto the A54 signposted Middlewich and Northwich. Stay on the A54 through Middlewich and through the town of Winsford. After about 8 miles stay on the A54 where it is joined by the A556. Shortly afterwards join the A51 towards Chester. When you reach the junction with the A55 turn left and continue on this ring road (dual carriageway) until you reach its junction with the A483 signposted Chester. Turn onto the A483 (called the Wrexham Road at this point) and pass over three roundabouts.

The road now becomes Grosvenor Road and then over the River Dee. At the next roundabout turn left into Nicholas Street (A5286). Left turn at the traffic lights into New Craine Street passing the Racecourse then head through the Roman walls into Sealand Road (A458). After about a mile look out for Stendall Road on your left where this road becomes Bumpers Lane - follow your nose the ground awaits. The ground is well signposted from whichever direction you approach.

Car Parking
There is ample car parking for around 800 cars at the ground for a £3.00 charge. 'Reckless wonder tip' when leaving the park keep to the left exit as this moves considerably faster than the right channel. Feedback required here please as it may involve me buying a pint for the originator of the information.

By Train and Plane
A Virgin or North Western train form London Euston via Crewe takes around 3 hours. Chester station is about a mile and a half from the Deva Stadium. Taxi to the ground will cost around £4.50 one way.Bus travel from the station is the easiest way to get to the ground as the No.28 runs along Sealand Road, stops a few hundred yards from the ground and is very frequent. Another option is Hawarden Airport, which is only three miles from Chester City centre. It will accept executive jets by appointment only.

Supporters Coaches
Coach travel to away fixtures this season is being organised by the Barnet Football Club Supporters Association. Prices have been set in a series of 4 bands A,B,C and D depending on the fixture. For further details about supporters coach travel and how to book check out the BFCSA website at www.bfcsa.co.uk. You can also phone the Coach Travel hot line on 01707 647365. This trip has been awarded the Band C price range which is £20.00 for adults and £15.00 Concessions (Under 18's and over 60's). Please remember that you must be a member of the Association to travel - don't worry you can join on the day.

Eating And Drinking Locally
There are no pubs within easy access of the stadium. My spies tell me that Telford's Warehouse in Canal Street, about a mile away, is good and serves decent food too. Having a beer in the city centre is easy and three pubs have been recommended by a very helpful correspondent from Chester who wishes to remain anonymous - The Mill Hotel, Old Harker's Arms (these two are very close to each other along the canal plus the Bear & Billet which is inside the city walls. A decent eat will be very difficult to find close to the ground apart from the usual football ground fare. Tesco's have recently opened a large outlet at the end of Bumpers Lane and boasts an inexpensive restaurant I am led to believe but I can't say that I have ever sampled Cuisine a la Tesco before!

The Social Club
Officially the social club has a strict no entry for away fans. I managed to get in last year as a guest of a member - so put on your smiley faces and chat up a local!

Ground Description
Chester's previous ground since 1906 on Sealand Road was frankly in need of a face-lift although the main stand had only been constructed in 1979. The quaint Kop terrace also offered a great view of proceedings. It was sold off to developers in 1990 and the club was guest of Macclesfield Town for 2 years. The Deva was opened for the start of the 1992/3 season and is a stadium with efficiency and safety without an once of character. Why? Because it was the first to be constructed from scratch to include all the features required by the Justice Taylor Report.

The Main or Vaughan Stand to the east seats around 2,200 while its sister stand to the west now renamed the Liversage Stand opposite holds around 1,250. Both end enclosures were identical covered terraces although the south section or APC Overnight Stand has been recently converted to hold 780 seats. Away fans are allocated this area plus a section of fully covered seating at the end of the aforementioned Liversage Stand (if required). The 'home' end or Harry McNally Terrace can accommodate 1,200 standing. All this adds up to a 5,500 capacity

Rivals
Wrexham, Runcorn and Shrewsbury Town

Admission Prices
The APC Overnight (South) Stand is allocated to visiting fans - Adults £16, Concessions £11, Under 16's £5. Spaces are also sometimes available in the Liversage (West) Stand for the same price although the club tries to contain fans in a single area. If this is the case then a 'special deal' is available for one adult and one child under 16 for £16.00.

There is space for 32 wheelchairs and 40 helpers in the Vaughan and Liversage stands. Cost is free for disabled full price for helper. Please phone the club in advance of your needs.