News from Deva Stadium January 2026

31 January 2026
McINTYRE TO LEAVE AT END OF SEASON
Manager Calum McIntyre will leave the club at the end of the season when his current contract ends. He has been with the club, in various roles, for ten years and was appointed first team manager in May 2022 following the departure of Steve Watson. He had previously stepped in as caretaker manager for a short while in April 2018 following the departure of Marcus Bignot.

The board of directors have today issued the following statement.

Board Statement
Chester Football Club can today announce that Manager Calum McIntyre will depart the club upon the expiry of his contract at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

Following extensive discussions, the Board of Directors has decided that the end of the current campaign is the right time to part company with Calum.

We strongly believe that Calum and his staff represent the football club’s best opportunity to achieve our target of securing a play-off place and competing for promotion this season, and they will continue to receive our full backing for the remaining 17 National League North fixtures, beginning today against Radcliffe.

All parties agree that ensuring clarity for our players, staff and supporters gives us the chance to have a complete focus on finishing this season as strongly as possible, while allowing the football club to plan for 2026/27 and begin the process of recruiting a new First Team Manager to take the club forward.

CFU Chair Nick Phillipson said: “The Board would firstly like to place on record its thanks to Calum and all members of the management team for their efforts during their time at Chester FC.

“All of us – directors, players and staff – recognise that results of late have not been good enough, and we are fully aware that the situation must improve if we are to achieve our target this season.

“We understand some people may question the timing, but the Board has given this full and proper consideration, and we feel that this is the right decision for the club for now and the future.

“Calum’s record speaks for itself in terms of play-off finishes, he retains the full support of the players, and everyone is clear on what is required over the next three months.

“We hope that this clarity about the future allows us all to have one focus until the end of the season – giving absolutely everything to try and make the play-offs and get our club promoted back to the National League.”

28 January 2026
LATE WINNER FOR MARINE
Chester lost 2-1 after conceding a late goal at Marine last night. Manager Calum McIntyre made several changes to the side soundly beaten at Peterborough Sports on Saturday. Loan players, goalkeeper Bobby Jones and defenders Michael Kelly and Phil Croker, all made their debuts. The Blues got off to the worst possible start with Kevin Roberts receiving a straight red card following a clash with goalkeeper Jack McIntyre. THis was the fourth time this season Chester have seen a player dismissed in the first half of a match.

Marine opened the scoring through substitute James Potter on the hour mark. The lead was short lived though as a foul on Lewis Leigh saw Chester awarded a penalty two minutes later. Connor Woods sent McIntyre the wrong way from the spot to equalise.

With the game heading into the dying minutes a slip by Declan Weeks allowed a counter attack from which substitute Lewis Bell hit the winner following an initial save from Jones.

26 January 2026
LOAN GOALKEEPER SIGNS
Goalkeeper Bobby Jones has signed on loan from Boston United until the end of the season. The 24-year-old has previous experience playing at Farsley Celtic, Brackley Town, Curzon Ashton, and Spennymoor Town. He is expected to replace on loan ‘keeper George Murray-Jones who has suffered a drop in form recently.

25 January 2026
POOR CHESTER WELL BEATEN AT SPORTS
Chester put in one of their worst performances of the season on Saturday when they were soundly beaten 3-0 at Peterborough Sports. The home side were gifted the opening goal on 17 minutes when goalkeeper George Murray-Jones dropped a right wing cross allowing Shaquile Coulthirst to score from close range. Chester created nothing of note, indeed their first shot on target didn't arrive until the 92nd minute. By the Coulthirst had completed his hat-trick with further goals in the 72nd and 79th minutes.

21 January 2026
LATE WINNER FOR BLUES AT SPENNYMOOR
Two goals in as many minutes late on saw Chester come from behind to claim victory at the Brewery Field. Moors had taken the lead in the 64th minutes as a floating right wing cross from Cam Salkeld sailed over George Murray-Jones into the far corner of the net.

Chester brought on Lewis Leigh and Fin Roberts as they pushed for an equaliser. With nine minutes remaining Pat Jones scored from a narrow angle following a short corner. And two minutes later the comeback was complete as Fin Roberts pounced on a poor headed clearance to score the winner.

• League table after Spennymoor victory

19 January 2026
LATE ERROR PROVES COSTLY
Chorley managed to grab a share of the points on Saturday as a last minute error from George Murray-Jones gifted them an equaliser in a game that finished 3-3. Chester led on three occasions through a Matthew Urwin own goal, Declan Weeks with a fine volley and a first goal for the club from Dion Kelly-Evans. On each time they were pegged back through with Murray-Jones pinching a 94th minute corner into his own net to deny a Chester victory.

17 January 2026
LOAN EXTENDED
Chester have extended the loan of Nottingham Forest goalkeeper George Murray-Jones until the end of the season.

13 January 2026
ANOTHER LOAN DEFENDER
Chester have signed 19-year-old Phil Croker from Crewe Alexandra on an initial 28 day loan deal. He has made six appearances for Alex this season having signed for them from Oxford City in the summer.

12 January 2026
DEFENDER SIGNS ON LOAN
Chester have signed Boston United full back Michael Kelly on loan until the end of the season, he is not available for the match against Chorley on Saturday. The 28-year-old has plenty of experience having previously played for Yeovil Town, Eastleigh and Scunthorpe United where he gained promotion at Chester’s expense last May. He has made 11 appearances for The Pilgrims. Should Chester reach the play-off’s he has been granted permission to play.

• Transfer activity