Chester v Darlington
Saturday 20th April 2024, 3pm
Vanarama National League North
Chester FC: Swansway Chester Stadium, Bumpers Lane, Chester CH1 4LT Tel: 01244 371376; Tweet: @ChesterFC Club website information History:
The original club was formed in 1885, elected from Cheshire County League to League Div
3N, 1931. Added City to name 1983, left Sealand Rd ground 1990.
Relegated to Conference 2000, promoted 2003-2004. The old City club folded in 2010 after a period of financial problems and the usual story of dodgy ownership, we're familiar with. It was reformed by the City Fans United trust. They earned a place in the Northern Premier League Division One North to start with. Their previous season in the Conference North broke quite a few records, as they notched up 107 points in 2012/13. Their first season in National League North after relegation saw a 9th place finish. Click here for streetmap of the Chester's ground
Admission prices (2023/24) Prices to be confirmed. Last season away fans used the Swettenham Chemists’ Community West Stand. Prices were Adult £18; concessions (OAPs/students) £15; ages 18-21 £13; ages 12 to 17 £4 and Under 12s free. You can buy them online here or use cards or Google/Apple Pay at the turnstile. Cash is not accepted. |
Distance from Darlington 2hr 29 minutes (152 miles) From the North: Take the M56 until Junction 16, the end of the motorway, and turn left at the roundabout (signs A5117, North Wales and Queensferry). After half a mile, take a left at the Little Chef roundabout onto the A540 (signposted Chester). Another 3.5 miles, take the third exit on the roundabout (signposted Queensferry A5480) onto the Deva Link road. Straight ahead at the next roundabout and by Stokers Furniture/Tesco go across the crossroads into Bumpers Lane - the ground is on the right. Parking: The club car park costs £2.
Darlington
FC Supporters' Club Worth noting these, as it's a long walk. If booking taxis for after the game, arrange a pick-up away from the ground, near Sealand Road, outside one of the retailers as a landmark. Chester Private Hire: 01244 344344 |
Trains: The stadium is a 2.5m walk from the station, right in the middle of a vast retail park. If you really want to walk - turn right into Station Road, follow the road left and between the Egerton Arms and Railway Inn. At the end of the street, take the underpass, taking the first exit signposted to Frodsham Street. Turn right before the bridge into Gorse Stacks, across the crossroads into Canal Street. Under the dual carriageway and at the junction, turn left (The Telford's Warehouse - DAFTS recommended pub is here on the right) and over the canal. Take a right fork into South View Road. Then at the T-junction turn right into Sealand Road. After half a mile turn left (Aldi store is on the corner) into Bumpers Lane. Walk right down to the end of the road, past various tile showrooms and a recycling depot and the ground is on the right. Buses run from the City Centre Bus Exchange, and you will need to catch the No 10A which bypasses Bumpers Lane. You will then need to walk up Bumpers Lane (0.5m) to the football ground
The official site is good with some useful travel information.
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At the ground: The Blues Bar at the front of the main stand is open to away fans, depending on the fixture. It has food including pies and sandwiches.
City centre: Telford's Warehouse, South View Road/Tower Wharf Right in the city's canal basin and on the way to the ground, this spacious and airy pub is a nice spot, serving three or four real ales at £2.50 a pint and good food (main meals range from £6-£14, not your usual pre-match grub but worth a treat - I think I had a rabbit pie). The pub also has a canalside beer garden and small carpark and is a 20-25 minute walk to the stadium. DAFTS recommended. Click for street map
The Brewery Tap, 52-54 Gamul House, Lower Bridge Street |
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Watergate Inn, 10 Watergate Square, off Sealand Road Pub near the racecourse.Click for streetmap
Mill Hotel, Milton Street
There is also an away fans' pub crawl suggested by some real ale buffs.
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To eat, apart from the suggested pubs, there is also a fish and chip shop on Sealand Road on the way to the Watergate Inn. |