Chester St Oswalds F.C.

The club was formed by Mr L Bebbington as some point in 1883.^[1] It entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1887–88, which was the last year before the introduction of qualifying rounds. The club was drawn to visit Chirk in the first round, and Cross gave the Saints the lead, but Chirk came back to win 4–1.^[2]

It also entered the Welsh Cup in 1887–88 and 1888–89, losing both of its ties; it did get through to the second round in 1888–89 after Crewe Athletic scratched from its first round tie on turning up at Chester, so the tie was played as a friendly, the Saints winning 5–1.^[3]

A Special General Meeting in July 1887 lists the club captain as John Thompson, with vice captain Tom Pixton, and Mr Bennion as reserve captain. Prior to this John Boardman had been captain for two seasons. In 1889 Francis Jayne the Bishop of Chester became patron of the club and contributed towards it financially, but on the basis that the club would fight against the evils of professionalism.^[4]

Its best run in the qualifying rounds came in 1889–90, losing 3–0 against Chester FC in the third.^[5][6] Its stance against professionalism proved disastrous as, without attractive opponents, the club ran out of money, and was dissolved on 26 January 1892 due to financial difficulties.^[7]

The St Oswalds name was revived in June 1898 when Chester P.S.A. changed their name.^[8]

The club adopted white and blue vertical stripes in July 1887.^[9]

The club originally played on the Roodee,^[10] but moved to Exton Park in Parkgate Road in July 1887.^[11] The club lost the use of the ground at the end of the 1887–88 season,^[12] but quickly found a new one on the same site before the start of the next.^[13]

• Chester Charity Cup
  • Winners (1): 1891^[18]

• Charlie Parry - Wales International, later played for Everton.^[19]