Hey.
Just thought I’d pop on and let you all know where we are with team.
I did this once before in Wales and it took four months to put a team together! So far, in actual days off, Michael and I have had four days!
Happy with where we are at and also so excited that Terry Owen will take the kick off with Michael.
Ticket wise, I think our optimistic aim given the time restraint was to sell 1500 tickets and within the first week of sale we’ve managed to get up to just under 1000 so we are on target, if not a little ahead.
We’d love to raise 20k... sponsorship is sorted remember so that’s a good lump too, and we will have a cool raffle on the night with one big prize.
So, we are on target I think. Also, we are working on players every day so hopefully more to be added!
Anyway, hopefully you can make it on Thursday, if only to see Eddie Bishop re-create his falling down a flight of steps.
Last week when we thought, okay, let’s try to pull this off in a fortnight, we never thought about a Chester Select but Jeff and his team have done a brilliant job pulling that team together and it makes the night for me.
Get your money on 5-1 them (i’ll dive for a pen and Owen ain’t missing!)
Here’s where we are so far!
Maik Taylor - A Northern Ireland legend. Has won the first and second division titles and was a Championship runner up. Birmingham City stalwart and, at 46, still a class keeper. Currently working as Northern Ireland’s goalkeeping coach.
Andy Griffin - Knows what it’s like to play in a Chester shirt but is known best for his spells at Stoke and Newcastle, including an FA Cup final appearance with the latter. A former England U18 and U21 international.
Chris Iwelumo - this striker has had more clubs than a poker player, including Wolves, Stoke, Watford and Burnley. Finished his career with Chester. Still built like a brick outhouse.
Danny Higginbotham - started his career at Manchester United before playing for various top level clubs. He won ‘player of the year’ at both Derby County and Stoke City. Has also pulled on the Chester FC blue and white!
Danny Webber - Another student of Fergie’s Manchester United, Danny scored goals for Watford, Sheffield United and Portsmouth, amongst others, and just two years ago was playing at Salford City.
David Thompson - a product of the Liverpool youth set up, Thommo played in red over fifty times before establishing himself at Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers. Only 40 years old and bang up for Thursday!
Eddie Bishop - Our favourite Bishop. Tranmere Rovers and Chester... stolen by the All Stars from the Chester Select! Will chuck him down a flight of steps on Thursday night!
Keith Gillespie - Another Manchester United youngster who went on to star with Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers, winning the League Cup with the latter.
Michael Owen - a Chester native whose dad Terry proudly played for Chester in the seventies. Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle and some other team that Murray refuses to acknowledge.
Neil Mellor - At 35, he’s still got his own hips! Liverpool, West Ham United and mainly Preston North End. Scored one and set one up in Liverpool’s famous European night against Olympiacos. Take a bow son!
Paddy McCourt - ‘The Derry Pele’! At 34, our youth player! Former Celtic, Rochdale and Derry City player. A scorer of great goals. Still plays today at Finn Harps.
Perry Groves - We all dream of a team of Perry Groves! Well, we used to! An Arsenal cult hero and was named as a Chester player for a year along with Pat Nevin for the 2010-11 season although, thankfully, never played!
Richie Partridge- Who needs Mourinho, we’ve got Liverpool’s Physio! And, of course, a former Chester player himself. Will be on hand to mop up the Chester Select players’ tears at the final whistle.
Michelle Owen - Murray just couldn’t resist it! The Owens together! TV and radio presenter and Part of the Sky Soccer Saturday team, she was keen to get involved and it the All Stars secret Weapon!
Justin Madders - local Labour MP and a keen footballer! Said he’ll play anywhere apart from the right wing!
Sonny Pike - Yes, that Sonny Pike! English football’s ultimate enigma. Signed at seven for Ajax, compared to Maradona, but quit the game before his senior career even began. On Thursday... he plays again!
Colin Murray - terrible at football.
More to come I’m sure! 👊