IT was a nail-biting time for Chester FC fans this month as the true extent of the club’s financial woes became apparent.

The Blues needed £50k in a very short space of time to stand any chance of survival.

Fans had been rallying to raise cash and were then backed by a number of stars including city-born former England star Michael Owen who helped arrange a benefit match including the likes of Liverpool legend Ian Rush and broadcaster Colin Murray.

In other news, details emerged ahead of the gross misconduct hearing for Cheshire Police Chief Constable Simon Byrne. He was later cleared of misconduct.

Chester’s MP Chris Matheson demanded an improved sewage system for the city following uproar over ‘waste water’ being allowed to flow into the River Dee at The Groves.

Welsh Water had stressed the process was entirely legal and they had permission from the Environment Agency.

People were given the first glimpse of Chester Racecourse’s ‘Masterplan’ for expansion, and the Mercian Regiment paraded through the city for a final time before being relocated to Cyprus.

Hundreds of people lined the streets to watch the soldiers march past, and bid them farewell.