This photograph was taken at the end of the 1950s on the Annexe, the land behind the old Sealand Road main stand where the Chester players used to train. The picture shows players Phil Whitlock, Norman Bullock, George Spruce and Brian Biggins with comedians Mike and Bernie Winters wearing the Chester kit.

At the time the two brothers were performing in Chester at the old Royalty Theatre in City Road. Phil Whitlock, who still lives in Chester, recalls that they were top entertainers of the day and were regulars on television. “For a couple of weeks they used to come down in the mornings and train with us on the Annexe. They used to play regularly in charity events and thought it would be a good way of keeping themselves fit”.

Phil himself joined Chester from Cardiff City in 1950 and played 142 league games for the club before moving to Caernarfon Town at the end of the 1958/59 season. A defensive wing-half, with the ability to play on either side of the field, Phil’s pace and fitness meant he was normally given the role of man to man marking the oppositions fastest inside forward. In 1957 he was awarded a joint testimonial against Everton along with Sam Morris and Ronnie Hughes.

Norman Bullock came to Chester from Aston Villa in 1952 and scored 41 goals in 187 games. A predominantly left-footed player, Norman played most of his football at Sealand Road as an outside-left but his versatility meant he also played games at left-half and occasionally centre-forward. He was leading scorer in 1958/59 and played for Rhyl, Bangor City and Prestatyn after leaving Chester. Norman died in 2003.

Centre-half George Spruce was coming to the end of his career when he moved to Sealand Road from Barnsley in 1958. The Chester born player, who also played for Wrexham, went on to make 63 appearances for the club with his final match coming a few days after his 38th birthday towards the end of the 1960/61 season. After leaving Chester he played for Runcorn and Prestatyn. George died in 1998.

Goalkeeper Brian Biggins only made five appearances for Chester but won a Welsh Cup runners-up medal when he featured against Wrexham in the 1958 final. A graduate of Chester juniors he was a regular in the Cheshire County League side until he moved into Welsh non-league football with Pwlhelli in 1961. Brian died in 2006.

Chas Sumner [Published 1/1/08]