Before the heady days of League Championships and getting all serious on a Sunday, the team started as members of the ISA playing a few friendlies with fellow supporters and local lads. The first one was played at Blacon High on the astroturf...

Chester City ISA XI 4 - 3 Southend United ISA

Friendly match, January 2nd 1999, Blacon High Astroturf

It was a bright but chilly morning as City fans lined up against Southend faithful prior to the senior game on 2nd January. The match and meal afterwards were a thank you to the Southend fans. They were the first to supports Chester's cause and held a bucket collection around the home crowd when Chester visited them back in August.

It was end to end action on the all weather pitch at Blacon High school. The visitors took the lead when a lad with a ponytail called Bernie coolly curled in a shot from outside the area. Chester were level from the penalty spot. The ISA's own Bernie Curd was tripped by his namesake in the box. Up stepped chairman Mark Howell, despite the risk of vertigo from crossing the halfway line, resplendent in 1974/5 Seals top and lashed the ball into the roof of the net. Chinese whispers led it to be described by Cleggie over the tannoy in the afternoon as "Goal of the Century". By half time City had taken a 3-1 advantage. They were pegged back to level terms shortlyafterwards until Bernie Curd rose, salmon-like, to nod in Richie Goodier's corner.

The Chester team had to be heavily restrained afterwards from eating all the chicken and chips meals in the Eight Rights. For some inexplicable reason the Southend supporters' bus had taken them to one of the toughest pubs in the town (the Wagon and Horses on Western Ave, Blacon!!!) by way of a detour but they arrived eventually and had their chips.

...and another one was a knockabout on the Byron fields on Blacon Ave at the end of that season...

Lord Byron XI 6 – 5 Chester City ISA XI

ISA Fund Raiser, 9th May 1998, The Lord Byron, Blacon Avenue, Blacon

This game was organised by the staff and customers of the Lord Byron pub in Blacon, and was gladly accepted by the ISA. This was a great chance for the inexperienced City supporters side to gain a little bit of match practise before they go and embarrass themselves in the supporters clubs 7-a-side tournament in Blackpool this summer.

The teams both lined up for photo's prior to the match, which kicked off at 11am in cloudy weather. After ten minutes the whole world had caved in on the ISA defence as they let three sloppy goals in. A wag could be heard mentioning cricket scores, although a little defensive re-organisation soon helped fix the leaks.

After twenty minutes, Brian Potts rose to power a header past the Byron goalkeeper for 3-1. Soon the teams were level, Potts running onto Bernie Curd's through ball for his second, before scoring a fine solo third, ten minutes before half time.

There was just time left in the first half for ISA goalkeeper Toby Brownbill to save Banks-like (Gordon not Tony!) from a Dave Abley header at the far post, before hanging onto the rebound. Finally, referee Graham Povey blew for half time, the first half feeling more like forty-five hours rather than forty-five minutes for one or two of the less fit City centre-halves!

The second half started like the first one did. The Blacon side applying a lot of pressure before they scored their fourth, a beauty of a curler from twenty yards, giving second half ISA keeper James Green no chance. The home side continued to press, and as they did the Blues broke. After good work by Brian Potts again, Paul Brazier cracked a great low shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net. 4-4.

The away side now introduced their secret weapon, ISA secretary Les Smith. Dr. Smith, although maybe just past his peak (his words, not the writers), showed a lovely touch and possesses something that the whole City first team squad cannot muster amongst them, a cultured left foot. Following this substitution, although definitely not as a result of it, a fifth goal for the home side was conceded.

City pressed again, this time down the Byron's right hand wing, forcing a corner. As Bernie Curd caused havoc in the box, Mark Howell arrived to plunder another equaliser, volleying into the roof of the open net. The game was set for a draw entering the last five minutes, when the goal of the game was scored. Picking the ball up 30 yards out, the Byron player took it on five yards before cracking it into James Green's top right hand corner. It was a smashing goal, and one fit to win any game, which it duly did.

The City team were gallant in defeat, their second in only three outings, although the Lord Byron were well deserved winners. The game was played in the spirit that it always should be, which is a credit to both sets of players. The Chester City ISA team would wish to thank all concerned with the Lord Byron in putting on this event, which was still going strong at half two when yours truly left, and would especially like to thank Dave Abley for organising the event. A raffle and football card after the game raised nearly £100 for the funds, and although Mr Abley won the signed City football, nobody suggested that the draw was fixed!

Following games were played against Rochdale (a few times), Shrewsbury etc, and it was during one of those away games at 'dale that Brighton, Brazier and Howell decided to have a go in the League... Knowledge.

Reports and photos taken with thanks from www.chester-city.co.uk