Today I'm going back 39 years to 1982 and York City's visit to Sealand Road, home at the time to Chester FC for a Fourth Division fixture.
This was my first ever visit to Sealand Road, Chester's former home. I guess their address also explains their nickname at the time. As far as I am aware, nobody calls them "the Seals" these days. It got me to thinking about other clubs with nicknames that have fallen into disuse. Examples that I can think or include Crystal Palace (the Glaziers) and Leeds United (the Peacocks). The number of people referring to Tottenham as "the Lillywhites" is definitely minimal these days and, I would contend that Tottenham haven't worn that slightly off shade of white for decades anyway. Perhaps "the Brilliant Whites" might be more appropriate. OK perhaps not. Actually the term almost everyone uses as the nickname for Tottenham is one of those forbidden words so we'll leave it as "Spurs" shall we? The birth of a new nickname is also very exciting. I recall Brighton fans adopting the nickname of "Seagulls" in the late 70's as a way of taunting Crystal Palace and their "Eagles" chant and the nickname stuck and has since become the club's crest too! I'm sure you can come up with a few more brand new or disused nicknames?
Talking of club names, as opposed to nicknames, Chester didn't become Chester City until 1982 and were twice relegated out of the football league (does this sound familiar York fans?) before being put into administration and then being formally wound up in 2010 following chronic mismanagement. The fans then immediately set about forming a new phoenix club called, wait for it, "Chester FC" and the wheel had turned full circle. The new club also got to use the old club's new stadium, the Deva Stadium, which had replaced the old Sealand Road ground in 1992. One of the curiosities of the new Stadium is that it actually straddles the border between England and Wales such that the administrative offices are located in England and the pitch is in Wales. One wonders about little matters such as Council Tax and Sports Council subsidies.
Happily for York, they picked up a single goal away win in the featured match and finished the season in 7th place ahead of the barnstorming procession to the title under Denis Smith the following season. Chester meanwhile finished in mid-table (13th) before plummeting to the foot of the table next time around.
CRB Match No. 212
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