WARRINGTON Town’s clash with former football league outfit Chester FC will be the club’s first ever all ticket match with a capacity crowd expected at Cantilever Park on Tuesday August 24, kick off 7.45pm.
But what that capacity will be is under review.
It will be Warrington’s first home fixture in the newly branded Evo-Stick League (Northern Premier League) and Chester’s first ever league game following their demotion after financial irregularities and a failure to fulfill all their fixtures in the conference last season.
It was hoped that tickets would be going on sale early next week but this has now been put on hold pending a risk assessment on the ground which has previously been awarded a 1,300 capacity.
With Warrington starting the season on the back of their best ever league finish for 15 years and Chester now run by a fanatical fans group with more than 3,000 season ticket holders, there is huge interest in the Cantilever Park clash.
With average league gates at Warrington around 200 and last season’s clash with former football league outfit Halifax FC attracting over 500, that record league crowd is set to be smashed.
Warrington Town Chief Executive Gary Skentelbery said: “This is a massive game for both clubs and we will be working closely between the two clubs and the authorities to ensure things run as smoothly as possible.
“This is a big night for non league football in Warrington and we hope the town will get behind us as we are going to be out numbered by the visiting supporters.
“This is a great chance for football fans in Warrington to see what the future could hold.”
Both clubs will also be working closely with Cheshire Police to ensure the game passes without major incident.
“Obviously there is going to be a lot of activity in and around the ground and I would appeal to local residents to be aware of serious traffic congestion prior to kick off and after the game.
“We are hoping to get our capacity increased slightly to help accommodate all those who want to attend the game.
“A number of ground improvements have taken place since the capacity was set at 1,300 in 2003 and we are hopefully that by working with the authorities and making it all ticket we can increase this slightly.”
