Ground Move?

I first went to Sealand Road in April 1960 for a 2-2 draw with Southport. By 1990 it had become a bump, but it was 1000% better than the soulless Subuteo ground we now play in. Being there amongst 19,000 fans when we absolutely thrashed the League Champions and European Cup finalists will remain the greatest day of my supporting the Blues. The current ground was built on the Corporation rubbish tip and that says it all really. The location and poor infrastructure around the ground made it difficult to like it. As was said previously Morrison Shand took over the club, asset stripped it and reneged on their promise to build a 15,000 seater stadium (it may have been 12,000). I hate that company.

i've long mooted my desire to see this debated. seems ideal what with new bus exchange.

That's not right.

For example, if you'd gone to the first two games at the new ground against Stockport and Burnley, you'd know full well that the ground was jam-packed, well over capacity. Every seat and every space was occupied, you couldn't move behind the goal, people were standing on the yellow safety areas and the steps, and also sitting on the yellow steps in the stands. And yet the attendances for those two games were officially 4505 and 4981. Absolute rubbish, more like 7000 for both of them.

The figures were questioned by the police, and the club said the turnstile counters hadn't worked properly. The police said if they don't work properly for the next game we'll close the ground. Strangely, they worked ok after that

Doncaster in the play-offs was virtually full. Also remember the Wrexham game in the LDV Vans on a Tuesday night pulled in a lot.

Why the but come on? It's the home ground of the team I support, why can't I love it? Been going regularly since I was 10, over 20 years now. It was never a novelty to me it's always been Chester's home.

I was on the Harry Mac for the game against Stockport and there's no way the ground was full. There were big gaps all around me.

Let's be honest the ground is adequate for our need's.The reality is a new stadium aint gonna be built,let alone one anywhere near the city centre.
Dont want to dash anyone's dream's but it isnt going to happen so let's just move on to another thread.

Why are people even biting at this?

We won't be moving, we've got a long term lease on the Stadium, why would we move? We can't afford a new stadium!

Smells like someone on a wind up...

But Harry McNally is dead now.

Ok the Deva is far from perfect but is it really that bad ? Its generic but it does the job, its small but efficient, i wouldnt want a 10k or 12k capacity ground, nothing worse than having an empty looking stadium like so many clubs have and that obviously affects the atmosphere. Location isnt great but come on its not that far from the town about a mile and a half and probably less than a mile from the old ground. Its our home and i love it because its all ive known as a chester fan.

Even if I'd never been to Sealand Road the Deva is an awful looking ground. It is functional and it ends there, there is no style in the place at all. If you did a competition at primary school to design a ground you would end up with what we have. There is an art in designing proper stadia regardless of capacity and we never got that because we were stiffed by barnes and morrison shand.

If money were no object, theres still not a great deal of land available around Chester for a football stadium, especially now with Aldi/Waitrose in Boughton. I can't think where you'd put a new ground tbh. Perhaps on the fields behind the police station? after all, in walking distance from Bache

   I always feel the land by toys r us would be a good venue , with the pubs nearby and walking distance from town , also maybe a tie-in with the rugby club on their land.