Deva is the home of second chances

EVERYONE loves a good comeback story and if you fancy fi nding one, you might want to set your sights on the Deva Stadium.

- Nathan Ridley

A phoenix club themselves, Chester FC employs a number of people who’ve come back from adversity to try to build something in the beautiful game.

Joint managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley have signed up various previous-wrongdoers for their National League North tribulations; two coaches who know all about leaving the past behind to put themselves on the right path.

The latest on their path to redemption is Paddy Lacey – a talented midfielder hoping to finally put down some roots after a troubled and nomadic existence via a host of North West clubs and a prison cell.

Co-manager Johnson admitted: “I’d like to say I’m probably a flawed character myself. Bernard’s the same, we’ve been in trouble before when we were younger.

“It’s very easy to toss people aside based on the mistakes they’ve made but I think, as a society these days, what we should be trying to do is, not just give people a second chance, educate them so they don’t make that mistake again.”

Since the two bosses’ tenure began, the Seals have acquired a number of players who’ve faced off-field issues such as George Green and Gary Roberts.

“We almost act as a halfway house where we can offer lads an opportunity to get back to something that they were clearly excellent at,” explained the former Salford City co-boss.

Punished

“We’ve had George, a boy who was at Bradford City as a youngster and he transferred to Everton for £1m; a 16-year-old who’s on over £100k-peryear. He then fell into hardship with drug-taking and various other things.