City struggles

Chester City v Darlington

Coca-Cola League Two

Saturday May 2nd 2009, 3pm

Manager Bobby Williamson didn't last too long at Chester City, as their form dipped dramatically after Christmas. The former Plymouth, Hibs and Kilmarnock manager had the daunting task of doing his best with little resources for an ambitious chairman. His former youth team boss Simon Davies has been given the job, but found a transfer embargo imposed, as the PFA picked up players' wages over the summer. Man to watch Nathan Lowndes Well travelled striker Full match preview on the D@rlo Uncovered website. Now called the Saunders Honda Stadium, Ticket prices (2007-2008) for adults seated in the APC Overnight Stand is £16, (£11 concession or £5 under 16. There are plenty of disabled spaces and a blind commentary system, which can be booked in advance. The club is looking to make the away terrace all seating, but we don't expect this will happen for a while.

Chester City FC: Saunders Honda Stadium, Bumpers Lane, Chester CH1 4LT Tel: 01244 371 376 History: 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. Record Attendance: 20,500 v Chelsea FA Cup replay, 1952 Capacity: 6,000 Last season: 22nd Honours: Conference champions 2003/2004 Record victory: 12-0 v York City, Div 3 N, 1 Feb 1936 Defeat: 2-11, Oldham Ath, Div3N 19 January 1952 Nicknames: Blues Colours: Blue and White Manager: Simon Davies Owner: Stephen Vaughan Players in: Paul Taylor (Vauxhall Motors, loan) Players out: Famous fans/connections: Ian Rush (player, manager), Gregg Blundell and Ricky Ravenhill. Click for Streetmap of ground

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 MFI Homeworks go across the crossroads into Bumpers Lane - the ground is on the right. Parking at the ground still costs £3.

Trains: The Saunders Honda (the ex-Deva) Stadium is a two mile 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. There's a Number 10 bus from the town hall close to the ground.

Worth noting these, as it's a long walk. Taxis cost about £4-5 from near the ground to the pubs or station. If booking 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 Abbey Taxis: 01244 311804 Chester Radio Taxis: 01244 372372 KingKabs: 01244 343434 (NB: Don't do pick-ups after the game) Darlington FC Supporters Club Coach TBC. Contact: 01325 243911. See Darlington Supporters' Club for more details.

TRAIN DETAILS (TO BE UPDATED): Darlington: 08.57 (York 09.24) 09.40-Manchester Piccadilly (11.05) 11.16 arr Chester 12.19. Rtn: 17.53-Manchester Oxford Rd (18.50) 19.07-York (20.36) 21.04 arr 21.36. Saver return £60.10, advance fares from £40.40 return. Birmingham New Street: 09.33-arr 11.27. Rtn: 17.28-arr 19.18; 18.05-bus to Crewe (19.05) 19.15 arr 20.11; 19.28-arr 21.18. Fare: £13.70 cheap day return. Sheffield: 09.42 (Stockport, 10.24) 10.34-11.50. Rtn: 17.56-arr Stockport (19.10) 19.26-arr 20.12. Fare: £29.30 saver return. Cardiff Central: 09.20-12.25, return: 18.20-21.20, Fare: £51.90 saver or £20 apex return.

There are no pubs near the ground, but plenty of choice in the city centre. Here are a couple on the right side of the city centre for the stadium, which we suggest here: 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

Watergate Inn, 10 Watergate Square, off Sealand Road Pub near the racecourse.Click for streetmap Mill Hotel, Milton Street A dark real ale lounge bar inside a canalside hotel, with more than a dozen guest ales (a few were off on our visit but this is a minor quibble, as there were still plenty of choice and they were very reasonably priced). Despite looking out onto the canal, there is no terrace or beer garden, but inside it does Sky TV, plus food. Not far from the station, less than 10 minutes walk - turn right onto the towpath at the canal bridge and it's a short walk. Rooms at the hotel cost between £73-£95 a night, single/double B&B: 01244-350035 Click for streetmap Chester City Social Club, Deva Stadium. Social club at the ground, with admission to away fans (cost about 50p) usually. Sky TV and food. There is also an away fans' pub crawl suggested by some real ale buffs. 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.

Chester is an historic city, which is a popular shopping haunt for those in search of designer gear, as well as offering a choice cafe bars, restaurants and pubs. Plenty of old, half-timbered buildings and popular walks around the Roman walls of course, as well as the historic Eastgate Clock, to make this a weekend option. Indoor attractions with kids in mind include The Blue Planet Aquarium which boasts 10 types of shark and there's always Chester Zoo, two miles north of the city centre. The council's comprehensive tourism website has links to online accommodation bookings and places to visit, as well as eating and drinking. Tourist Information Offices:, Town Hall, 01244 402111 or at Vicar's Lane 01244 351609. Rail timetables Virgin Trains GNER National Express Online map Hotels/B&Bs Cheshire Online Chester Council Chester Tourism Chester Standard Evening Leader City centre map Surfing there... There is The official site, which is nothing like the generic Premium TV ones in most divisions and very easy to navigate. But even better is the excellent Chester City Unofficial, site, which is nicely designed and easy to navigate and has lots of information. There's quite a bit on the Chester City Mad site, which seems regularly updated, whileEarly Doors is another independent, unofficial source. The Supporters' Trust also have a website. This is the last away match! Anything worth adding? Please e-mail us any suggestions. Back to index page No responsibility is taken for accuracy, if in doubt check before travelling. © DAFTS 2007