Why the Conference would be culture shock

Chester dropped out of the Football League last May and their experience in the Conference should be enough to spur on Barnet tomorrow.

Chester thought they would be good enough to bounce straight back by taking the only promotion spot. But, instead, they will have to settle for a top-10 finish in the non-League game's premier division.

They have not dealt with life outside the main body of professional football, however, and admit they have had a tough time.

A spokesman said: "It has been a culture shock coming out of the Football League. It is like being taken away from your family. There is a prestige and esteem in being part of it. Having it taken away from has had a tremendous impact on the players, the other employees and the supporters."

Four of Chester's squad decided playing in the Conference was not for them when they went down and around 500 of their regular 2,000 fans deserted them.

They have also become a scalp for the others to take. Every game is like a cup match as a result and that makes a promotion challenge harder.

"It is very hard to get out of this league and there is very little room for error," the spokesman added.