Year Summary 2004
With Murray King continuing as player coach, Chester recruited Steve Dorrington from New Brighton to be the forwards coach and Rob Foden, from the successful Chester Colts side, to be the First Team Manager and backs coach. The team retained many of its players from the year before with Geraint Parry retaining the captaincy, unfortunately Geraint was sidelined for a third of the season and his leadership skills were missed.
Chester started the season in fine style with a win in the National Cup against Morpeth followed by an even better performance in the same competition against local rivals New Brighton. Chester went out of the competition at the next hurdle beaten in a close game by Liverpool St. Helens.
With new recruit Neil Parsley settling into the three quarter line and the introduction of the two Foden brothers, Ben and Tom, from last seasons Colts team, the first half of the season went well but defeats at Cleckheaton, Moreley and Bradford and Bingley meant that Chester would finish no higher than mid table. The Chester team found that consistency was hard to find once out of the title race but always looked as if they could beat any team in the league during some stages of each game.
However the season finished on a high note as Chester, for the first time in their history, won the Cheshire Cup, much to the delight of the Chest faithful.
At the Awards Dinner, prop, Aled Davies, received the Player of the Year award. There were also awards for, Mat Bellamy (Players Player), now playing in New Zealand, and Tom Foden (Most Improved Player). Neil Parsley, Gavin Woods and Ben Foden were selected to represent Cheshire in the County Championship. Ben Foden was selected to represent the English Counties side that toured Canada.
Director of Rugby, Terry Allen, stood down from his position at the end of the season following a very successful five-year tenure. Teey has done some great work at the club and will remain involved as an active member of the strong Chester committee (Vice Chairman).
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