CHESTER have passed their first play-off test - after all 26 playing and staff members were given the all-clear following last week’s COVID-19 tests.

The club put out a video twitter of all the players having swabs taken from the nose and mouth at The Deva Stadium and later issued a statement which read: “Chester Football Club can confirm that we have now received our testing results back ahead of the National League North Play-Offs.

“Our first round of COVID-19 testing took place on Tuesday 7th July, with 26 players and club staff being tested.

“We are pleased to confirm that zero individuals tested positive.

“Because of this, preparations in training are now underway ahead of our First Round Play-Off clash at Altrincham on Sunday 19th July.”

Spirits are high in the Blues camp where players have joined the supporters in doing their bit to raise cash for the National League North club.

Defender Kevin Roberts, who played for the old Chester City team where he kicked off his career, is back with The Blues and has praised the fans who have dug deep to plough more than £100,000 into the club - one to build a budget for next season and to help fund the coronavirus testing to ensure taking part in next Sunday’s play-off.

“With the club being fan owned, I think it is great to see everyone doing their bit raising funds,” said Roberts.

“The fans have been class. You only have to look at the incredible first few weeks of Boost the Budget. The lads got involved in that too by doing their bit.

“We wanted to do whatever was possible to take part in the play-offs, but we need our incredible supporters to make the difference in this latest fundraiser to give us a real chance.

“It means a lot to us to play for Chester Football Club, and hopefully we can show that even more on the pitch come the play-offs.”

And on the testing, Roberts, who is in the middle of taking a physiotherapy degree, took it in his stride.

“Some of the lads looked a bit apprehensive but it was okay,” said Roberts (pictured right). “All we want is for everyone to be given the all-clear.”

Altrincham, just like Chester are with goalkeeper Louis Gray, are waiting to hear if midfielder Josh Lundstram will be cleared to play on Sunday.

Lundstram is on loan from Dave Artell’s Crewe, who are fine on extending his loan spell to cover the play-off games.

Gray, who joined on loan from Carlisle in February, is also hoping the National League give him the nod to start on Sunday.

A place in the Championship is the coveted prize for Oxford United and Wycombe Wanderers in tonight’s League One play-off final at Wembley.

Oxford have two former Blues favourites in their backroom staff in assistant manager Derek Fazackerley and goalkeeping coach Wayne Brown.