Bordering on farce at Chester
IT’S a quiz question which has baffled many football supporters – which ground straddles two countries?
The answer is National League North side Chester’s Deva Stadium, and the fact that part of it is in Wales has come close to ending its existence.
Fierce rivalry with Welsh neighbours Wrexham is nothing compared to the fallout in the last week when the club, whose English heritage has never previously been in doubt, were informed that they were breaking Welsh coronavirus rules.
Matters became so heated that chairman of the fans-owned club Andrew Morris and vicechairman Jim Green were warned that they would be personally sued if games went ahead with more than 50 supporters – the limit under Welsh coronavirus protocols.
Yesterday’s visit of promotion-pushing Brackley Town was postponed as Chester, who had been watched by crowds of more than
2,000 over the festive period, sought legal advice.
However salvation arrived on Friday with the announcement in Wales that the 50-person limit on outdoor events would be scrapped.
Morris said: “We are working with the different councils to come up with a longer-term solution.
“When the present ground was built as a club we did everything we could to make sure we were governed by the English FA and would be under English legislation.
“The future of the football club could have been put at risk if we were forced to play behind closed doors without any financial support.”
The unique conflict has sparked interest throughout Europe and the United States, with even the New York Times reporting on Chester’s plight.
Morris added: “I didn’t think I’d ever see a piece about the club in the New York Times!”