Founded in 1885 as the result of a merger between Chester Rovers and Old King's Scholars, Chester FC entered The Combination league in 1890 and finished in second position in five successive seasons during the first years of the 20th century before eventually securing championship success in 1909. Switching to the Lancashire Combination in 1910 was a brief affair as the First World War forced the club's resignation from the division; in 1919, the club helped found the Cheshire County League.
After success at that level, Chester was elected to the Football League in 1931 and came second in Division Three North in 1936 before the Second World War forced the cessation of League activity. Once the League resumed, Chester only had Welsh Cup exploits to entertain them before they were placed in Division Four in 1958 following a reorganisation of the structure. In the following years, 1974/5 proved to be the most successful (relatively) with promotion to Division Three and a League Cup semi-final to contend with. In 1982, the club was returned back to Division Four and a year later, the City suffix was added.
The name change provoked a bit more activity in the fortunes of Chester City, with promotion to Division Three in 1986. However, again the club was relegated to the lower rung of the Football League in 1993 - albeit for a season. The yo-yoing continued with relegation again in 1995, but a failed playoff attempt in 1997 was the last flirtation with Division Two entry. The club was relegated to the Conference in 2000, but it was only to be a not-too-long stay as the club was promoted in 2004; a year after missing out in the playoffs. Ever the fan of toing and froing, Chester City returned to the Blue Square Premier in 2009 but was wound up during the second half of the 2009/10 season having failed to fulfil fixtures and being expelled from the competition.
| Formed: |
1885 |
| Highest League
Finish |
5th, Division Three - 1977/8 |
| FA Cup |
5th Round - 1976/7, 1979/80 |
| League Cup |
Semi-Finals - 1974/5 |
| FA Trophy |
Semi-Finals - 2000/1 |
| Football League Trophy |
Runners-Up - 1986/7 |
| Welsh Cup
|
Winners - 1907/8, 1932/3, 1946/7 |
| Season by Season
(Boro' scoring first) |
|