CALUM MCINTYRE has reflected on the strides Chester have made over the last three seasons.
In a tough end to the National League North campaign, the Blues lost out 2-1 after extra time away to Scunthorpe United in the play-off final.
Boss McIntyre, who replaced Steve Watson in the Deva Stadium hotseat in May 2022, told Chester FC TV: “Three years ago, came in and the aim was to get the football club promoted and three years is a long time to be at a football club, and it just felt like (Scunthorpe) might well have been our day.
“I’d felt like (that) right the way until the final whistle. I’m proud of the club that we were 16th place, we’ve changed so many things behind the scenes, produced players, I’m proud of the individuals.
“Proud to have used as many home-grown players and the last three years has been a roller-coaster, that I’m so proud about the position the football club’s in now to where it was.
“So, proud… yeah, performance, getting to a play-off final, points returns?
“No, I’m proud about the position Chester Football Club is in right now and the opportunities for so many people to take it forwards.”
The play-off final came less than two months after Chester’s previous visit to Scunthorpe United.
It was a top-of-the-table encounter as the Iron came out on top 3-1, in front of an English sixth tier record attendance of 8,274.
McIntyre said: “You know, when we come here (in March), it was a low. It was a moment where you could see we weren’t quite ready to be at the top of the league and we spoke in the changing room, we always thought we’d come back here in a play-off final, and you look at what we’ve done since.
“The results, the run of form and the way we’ve ended the season. That’s why this hurts.
“The supporters were brilliant at full-time. They were brilliant during the game and they’ve been brilliant with me for three years.
“It’s hard managing your club, a club you’ve grown up at, where you have the attachment to and the supporters have been absolutely fantastic for me, and I don’t just mean (at Scunthorpe).
“I mean over a three-year period and I mean that when I say thank-you. Thank-you for your support.
“From walking out at Alfreton to losing in a play-off final, they’ve been superb with me.”
Leave a Reply