Chester City `old boy` Daryl Clare has expressed his sadness at the demise of his former club - but is delighted current ONE, Blue Square Premier rivals Gateshead, will be the main beneficiaries.
Clare scored a superb forty-eight goals in sixty league games during a successful two-year stay at the Deva Stadium, helping the club back into the Football League in his second season.
That saw the former Grimsby Town striker claim the Conference `golden boot` in 2003/4, but Chester are now on the brink of extinction.
The 125-year-old club have been voted out of the Blue Square Premier by the member clubs causing their results this season to be expunged.
Gateshead were the only side to lose twice against Chester while Cambridge United and Tamworth will lose their six points for doing the double over the former Football League club.
Both are now in the thick of the relegation battle along with Salisbury City who will have four points deducted, while struggling Ebbsfleet United and Forest Green Rovers each lose three points.
Clare said: "Chester's expulsion has given us a real leg up as there are now eight clubs involved in the battle to avoid the last two relegation places.
"I believe we would have stayed up anyway and I've played in sides that have pushed for the top six who weren't as good as the current Gateshead side.
"But I am very sad at what has happened at Chester. They are a club close to my heart and I played the best football of my career there.
"The only saving grace is that the supporters want to form a new club and work their way through the leagues like AFC Wimbledon have done."
"I wish them all the success in the future but I am now at Gateshead and we have a big two months ahead of us."
