Pre-Season Match Preview: Chester FC v Altrincham

Chester FC's penultimate pre-season fixture of the summer sees Calum McIntyre and his side welcome National League outfit Altrincham to the Deva Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues’ time to prepare is diminishing, as Saturday’s game marks a fortnight until our National League North campaign gets underway, with the Seals travelling to the North East to face Spennymoor Town on the 10th August.

This weekend’s test is our fourth game in just nine days, with the tight schedule ensuring the squad are more than prepared tactically and physically for the demands that National League North football inevitably brings.

THE OPPOSITION

Phil Parkinson’s Altrincham are looking to go one step further this season in their pursuit of reaching the English Football League for the first time in the club’s history.

They narrowly lost out on promotion to League Two last season, as they were defeated 3-1 in the Playoff Semi-Final against eventual promotion clinchers Bromley.

The Robins start their National League season in front of the ‘Alty’ faithful, as they play host to Woking in just two weeks time.

THE GAFFER

Phil Parkinson has been at the helm at Moss Lane since April 2017.

During his seven year tenure, the 43-year-old has overseen a complete upturn in fortune, which has seen them rise from the Northern Premier League to the upper echelons of the National League, and they now seem to be on the brink of a maiden appearance in the EFL.

Prior to joining the team hailing from Greater Manchester, Parkinson had a successful stint in his first managerial role as Nantwich Town manager, the club he had spent the large majority of his playing career representing.

Whilst with the Dabbers, Parkinson captained the side that won the FA Vase in 2006, and that was one of over 200 appearances he made for the Cheshire-based club.

PLAYER CONNECTION

Two of our current first team squad members have appeared for ‘Alty’.

Summer recruit Mitch Hancox signed for the Seals after a brief period with the Robins. After joining in March 2024, the versatile veteran played a pivotal part in their playoff promotion push as he started in all but one of their games as they finished in fourth position.

Striker Tom Peers donned the colours of Altrincham for close to five years, but left in 2022 to join Curzon Ashton.

Our number seven joined the club in the more formative years of his career and he had loan spells with FC United of Manchester and the aforementioned Curzon before permanently moving to The Nash.

In 87 appearances with the club, Peers scored 14 goals.

Match Preview By Jude Deedigan.

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 3pm at The Deva Stadium on Saturday.

The Referee for the game is Matthew Scholes.

Chester supporters will be in the East Stand with Altrincham in the West Stand.