Albion invite Chester fans for free (From Northwich Guardian)

Witton Albion offer free entry to their home games to Chester City season ticket holders

2:28pm Friday 5th March 2010 in News By Andrew Simpson

WITTON Albion will allow fans of Chester City, thrown out of the Football Conference last month, to watch football for free at Wincham Park for the remainder of the campaign.

Chairman Mark Harris told the Guardian that the move was to show solidarity with followers of their Cheshire neighbours.

“They’re sure of a warm welcome,” he said.

“These are sad times for what is a fantastic club in Chester City, so we feel the least we can do is to extend the hand of friendship to their supporters who are now without a team to watch.”

Blues season ticket holders, or members of the independent supporters’ group Chester Fans United, can watch Albion for free from tomorrow, Saturday.

Accompanied U14s will not have to pay either.

“Obviously we can’t offer them the same level of football they have watched previously but until such time as they can reform then this is a way they can keep in touch with the non-league scene at a good standard,” said Graham Shuttleworth, Witton’s football secretary.

“It remains our aim to at least be involved in the play-offs at the end of the season, so I’m sure they will enjoy those games we still have to play at home.”

Witton, currently seventh in UniBond League Division One South, are one point adrift of the play-offs places.

However Chasetown, who occupy the coveted fifth place at the moment, have three games in hand on Gary Finley’s men.

That makes tomorrow’s clash with Carlton Town, another team with designs on a top five finish, the perfect place to start the special offer scheme.

Shuttleworth added: “Without doubt the worse thing that could happen to any football supporter is to see your club removed from whatever league you're competing in.

“It must be a double blow to Chester supporters after enjoying Football League status as recently as last season.”

Kick off at Wincham Park tomorrow is 3pm.