THE Football Association have given Chester City special dispensation to play a friendly match against Droylsden at the Butchers Arms tomorrow.

The game against the Manchester outfit will be City’s first public outing of the pre-season.

The FA have given their permission for the match to go ahead because all the proceeds will be donated to the family of a soldier who was killed in action in Afghanistan just over 12 months ago.

City, who are still not affiliated to the FA, did play a ‘behind closed doors’ practice match against a Burnley XI at the Deva Stadium yesterday.

Despite all the off-the-field issues, Chester manager Mick Wadsworth has been pleased with the way his hastily assembled squad have reacted. He said: “Training has been going great, the spirit amongst the players is excellent.

“Naturally the current situation is frustrating for my staff and for the players, but they are all reacting well.

“Not having any practice matches is a bit like apple crumble without custard, but we just have to get on with it.”

It has been business as usual for Wadsworth this week and he is close to signing 19-year-old Oldham Athletic striker, Lewis Alessandra on loan.

Chester owner Stephen Vaughan last night said that all the outstanding paperwork and information that had been requested by the FA and the Conference had now been submitted.

“We have all been working hard behind the scenes,” he said. “Hopefully both ruling bodies will look at our position sympathetically.

“We were relegated last season because of sporting merit, we have subsequently since that relegation been deducted 10 points. Hopefully that penalty will be full and final.”