Chester-le-Street Town

CLUB HISTORY

The club was founded in 1972 when a group of enthusiasts got together in a local public house and formed a football club which was called Chester-le-Street Garden Farm after the pub in which the idea germinated. The club entered the Newcastle City Amateur League that same year and played on a pitch in Low Fell, Gateshead, because no grounds were available in Chester-le-Street. However, after one season they were allotted a pitch at the Riverside, Chester-le-Street, which was to be their home until 1977. In 1975 the Cestrians joined the Washington League, winning the championship, the Durham Minor Cup and the Washington A.M. Cup. The now flourishing club moved to the Sacriston C.W. ground, were admitted to the Wearside League in 1977, and changed their name to Chester-le-Street Town F.C. the following year. Over the next few years they won the Wearside League title and the Monkwearmouth Cup on two occasions. In 1980 the club moved to its present home at Chester Moor Park. The ground had only dressing rooms and a perimeter fence. So far over £100,000 has been spent bringing the ground up to the Northern League standards, so that now there is a 200 seater stand, covered terracing for 500, an uncovered terrace, hard standing all round and floodlights. There are facilities for spectator refreshments and a clubhouse. New dressing rooms and spectator toilets were built in the summer of 2000.

The club was admitted into the Northern League in 1983, winning the Second Division title at the first attempt to gain promotion to the First Division. In 1984-85 the club reached the fifth round of the FA Vase before losing in a second replay to Fleetwood Town. In 1986-87 the club also made it to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup in 1986-87, going down 3-2 at home to Caernarfon Town. Relegated in 1988-89, the Cestrians bounced back after finishing third in 1991-92 but suffered a second relegation in 1996-97. After winning the Division Two title with 29 wins in 36 league games during the 1997-98 season the club finished in their best ever placing of third in the following season’s Division One table, behind champions Bedlington Terriers and Tow Law Town. Runners-up to Consett in the 2006-07 Durham Challenge Cup, the club was relegated in 2009-10 and ended its first season back in Division Two in eighth place, losing the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup final on penalties to Team Northumbria.

Chester-le-Street Club is proud to call itself a family club, catering to the needs of the district by providing football for all ages. The club is also proud of the fact that every season has seen a steady flow of young stars moving on to professional clubs (including Swansea City’s Danny Graham and Blackpool’s Chris Basham), while others have progressed through the ranks to claim places in the first team.

PLAYING STAFF

Goalkeepers

Kyle Barlow A former Chester Junior who returned to the club from Seaham Red Star. Made his debut against Seaham in August 2010.

DEFENCE

Lee Chapman Right back signed from Alliance side Newcastle East End in summer 2010.

Anthony Johnston Jonners is now in his second season at the club. Exciting prospect signed from Alliance side Newcastle East End.

Robert Palmer Left back now in his fourth season with the club. Signed from Newcastle East End Juniors, Robert is improving all the time and has a fantastic attitude.
Jonny Evans

Kyle Bird Can play in defence or midfield.

MIDFIELD

Craig Marron Vastly experienced midfielder who has been at a number of clubs including Ryton, Esh Winning and Birtley Town.

Robert Draper Aged 25. Robbie played in the club’s youth system for four seasons before eventually captaining the youth side to the last 32 of The F.A. Youth Cup in 2003/04 where they lost 2-0 to West Ham United at Upton Park. His senior team debut came in February 2004 and he has now made over 300 appearances.

Luke Gilhespy Midfielder who returned to the club in 2008 after a spell at Birtley Town. Well established first team player.

Ben Johnson A former Chester Junior who joined the club from Birtley in 2009. He returned in October 2010 after a short spell at Consett.

FORWARDS

Glenn Reay Dangerous forward who began his career at Newcastle United.

Callum Patton Teenage forward who came through the club’s youth ranks.

MANAGER

Grant Crookes Replaced the retired Stuart Sherwood in May 2011. Made almost 50 appearances for Hartlepool and Darlington as a defender. Previously a coach at Halifax Town, Bridlington and Wakefield and assistant manager at AFC Emley, Eccleshill United and West Allotment Celtic.

More information needed on:

David Short

Joseph Johnson

Gary Draper Another to come through the club’s youth ranks.

Andrew Robinson All-time top goalscorer for Chester-le-Street Juniors with 100 goals.

James Baxter

Luke Wilson