Chester FC

[Mr Angry]

Chester FC - the facts are:

Chester, a former English Football side from 1930 to 2000, then again from 2004 to 2009, play in the English league pyramid system

They are now affiliated only to the English Football Association and are not affiliated in any way to the Welsh FA

Land registry records confirm that the whole site is within the administrative area of Cheshire West & Chester Council

The pitch is in Wales but the stadium is considered English

The land of this now fan-owned club owned by Cheshire West and Chester Council

Games are policed by Cheshire Constabulary

As a result of all of the above, they were officially told nearly 2 Years ago that they would not be eligible for any Welsh Sport relief funds (provided by UK tax payers incidentally); however, the Welsh Government are now insisting that, as Chester FC's stadium was - just - in Wales, that the club's home games were therefore subject to Welsh Covid restrictions.

Since rules capping the number of spectators at events in Wales took effect on 26 December, Chester have hosted two home fixtures at Bumpers Lane - against AFC Telford and AFC Fylde - both in front of 2,000-plus crowds.

Frankly the Welsh "Government" can oxf*rd off.

[Winston Biscuit]

They play their home games in Wales, so I can understand the Welsh Government's point.

[Sutekh]

Chester FC - the facts are:

Chester, a former English Football side from 1930 to 2000, then again from 2004 to 2009, play in the English league pyramid system

They are now affiliated only to the English Football Association and are not affiliated in any way to the Welsh FA

Land registry records confirm that the whole site is within the administrative area of Cheshire West & Chester Council

The pitch is in Wales but the stadium is considered English

The land of this now fan-owned club owned by Cheshire West and Chester Council

Games are policed by Cheshire Constabulary

As a result of all of the above, they were officially told nearly 2 Years ago that they would not be eligible for any Welsh Sport relief funds (provided by UK tax payers incidentally); however, the Welsh Government are now insisting that, as Chester FC's stadium was - just - in Wales, that the club's home games were therefore subject to Welsh Covid restrictions.

Since rules capping the number of spectators at events in Wales took effect on 26 December, Chester have hosted two home fixtures at Bumpers Lane - against AFC Telford and AFC Fylde - both in front of 2,000-plus crowds.

Frankly the Welsh "Government" can oxf*rd off.

Seriously? And the Welsh government have the money to waste taking it through the courts do they? Doesn’t this just go to highlight just how tinpot all these regional parliaments are, they’ve all inflicted more draconian drivel on their populace than in England just because they can.

[Snowflake Royal]

The pitch is in Wales. Shrug.

[From Despair To Where?]

Maybe they can just use the parts of the ground that are in England.

(Yes, I know that's just the reception of the club offices. 99% of the ground us in Wales).

[Hendo]

The pitch is in Wales. Shrug.

This. I am sure if there was a similar situation, but reversed, the Welsh club would follow the English rules and there wouldn't even be a conversation about it.

[Snowflake Royal]

The pitch is in Wales. Shrug.

This. I am sure if there was a similar situation, but reversed, the Welsh club would follow the English rules and there wouldn't even be a conversation about it.

I also think Mr A would be lauding the decision.

[NathStPaul]

Technically the Welsh government are in the right regarding Chester FC. This is a football section so no need for politics but all I'll say is the country is run by a complete and utter c*nt.

[LWJ]

You'd hope common sense prevails in this situation...

[Winston Biscuit]

Who's common sense though?

[Dirk Gently]

Berwick Rangers, despite playing in Scottish leagues, do not have the current 500-capacity maximum limits which applies in Scotland, as their ground is in England.

[From Despair To Where?]

Berwick Rangers, despite playing in Scottish leagues, do not have the current 500-capacity maximum limits which applies in Scotland, .

Not sure a 500 crowd limit is a massive hindrance for them.

[AthleticoSpizz]

My immediate thoughts exactly…effectively a Jockish Non-League team nowadays.

[From Despair To Where?]

They are in the division below the Scottish League but their average attendances are about 350.

Their average attendance in their last season in the league was 478.

[Green]

They are in the division below the Scottish League but their average attendances are about 350.

Their average attendance in their last season in the league was 478.

What was the ratio of people to dogs in that?

[From Despair To Where?]

I think most of them came for the speedway by mistake

[AthleticoSpizz]

At least they”ve still got a f11cking team…13 years since Racers were evicted from their “100 year Smallmead track” still it’s site undeveloped and empty

Same for the greyhounds

[Sutekh]

At least they”ve still got a f11cking team…13 years since Racers were evicted from their “100 year Smallmead track” still it’s site undeveloped and empty

Same for the greyhounds

Yes, why did Reading speedway go, was it just the expense of operation forcing the promoters to go or was it some company forcing them out so the site could be “redeveloped”?

[AthleticoSpizz]

The latter, could be wrong, but I think that the ‘Pru’ were tied-up in it somewhere along the line.

[paultheroyal]

At least they”ve still got a f11cking team…13 years since Racers were evicted from their “100 year Smallmead track” still it’s site undeveloped and empty

Same for the greyhounds

Greyhounds is the shocker. Would not take much to build a decent track and hospitality and get people back - but it does seem to be a dying trade now.