It's never a nice feeling to be relegated, but for Chester's long-suffering supporters, there are plenty of positives to be taken from life away from the National League.

Non-league's top tier has an increasingly southern feel to it, with half of Chester's away trips last season consisting of 400+ mile round-trips, and in one week alone the Blues racked up over 1,000 miles with visits to Ebbsfleet, AFC Fylde and East Thurrock in the FA Trophy. Watching a team heading for relegation proved a true test of patience for even the most hardened of Blues supporters - and journalists alike!

As the Blues return for pre-season ahead of the 2018/19 campaign in National League North, we take a look at each of the 21 away trips facing Chester, from Blyth Spartans to Brackley via Spennymoor Town.

The National League North fixtures are due to be released on Wednesday, July 4.

Alfreton Town (208-mile round trip) – Under newly-appointed manager Billy Heath, the Derbyshire outfit play at the Impact Arena, traditionally known as North Street. It holds 3,600 and the Victoria Inn is a regular haunt for football fans.

Altrincham (74 miles) – The Robins were promoted from the Northern Premier League last season as champions, having previously suffered back-to-back relegations, Phil Parkinson doing a superb job. The J Davidson Stadium has an open-ended terrace for away, so wrap up warm and bring a rain coat if the Blues head to Greater Manchester in the winter months!

Ashton United (100 miles) – Another short hop to Manchester to face Ashton, who play at Hurst Cross which has a 4,500 capacity. Ashton-under-Lyne was the birth place of Italian World Cup winning midfielder Simone Perrotta.

Blyth Spartans (406 miles) – Chester’s longest trip of the season will be up to the north-east to face Blyth, one of the famous old names of non-league football. Just eight miles outside of Newcastle, their Croft Park venue holds 4,435 and they are managed by former Middlesbrough player Alun Armstrong.

Boston United (298 miles) – A long trip to east Lincolnshire beckons for the Blues to face the Pilgrims. Boston have a proud Football League history but have fallen on hard times of late, and the Jakemans Stadium holds just over 6,600 fans.

Brackley Town (300 miles) – Many fans will be surprised to see Brackley, just eight miles outside of Oxford, to be in the North division, but Kevin Wilkin’s FA Trophy winners should not be underestimated and will prove a testing away day. St. James’ Park holds 3,500, one of three clubs in the country to share the same stadium name along with Newcastle and Exeter.

Bradford Park Avenue (160 miles) – Another of the north’s famous non-league clubs, Bradford finished 7th last season and narrowly missed out on promotion. The Horsfall Stadium holds 3,500 supporters and Mark Bower is currently their manager.

Chorley (100 miles) – The Lancashire outfit enjoyed an excellent FA Cup run last season but were knocked out by local rivals Fleetwood. Playing at Victory Park, Chorley were managed by former Blackburn Rovers centre-forward Matt Jansen, who had done a terrific job and narrowly missed out on promotion two seasons ago, beaten in the play-off final. Jansen surprisingly quit last week and has been replaced by Jamie Vermiglio.

Curzon Ashton (98 miles) – The second side Chester will face from Ashton-under-Lyne. Curzon play at Tameside Stadium (holds 4,000) and struggled last campaign, finishing 18th. East Cheshire and Tameside Athletics club train at the adjourning stadium.

Darlington (306 miles) – One of the oldest club’s in the division (founded 1883), The Quakers play at Blackwell Meadows and won successive Conference titles during the 1990s. The originally club went into liquidation in 2012 as a result of moving to an all-seater 25,000-seater stadium. Reborn as Darlington 1883, the FA approved a name change back to Darlington F.C back in 2016.

FC United of Manchester (106 miles) – The Rebels were formed in 2005 by a splinter group of Manchester United fans who grew angered by Malcolm Glazer’s takeover of their club, and an increasing apathy with the cost of watching Premier League football. A major success story initially, progress on the pitch has since stalled since the club moved to its own ground, Broadhurst Park. All set to be a fascinating and popular trip for Blues fans in 2018-19.

Guiseley (176 miles) – Nethermoor Park will be a familiar venue for Chester fans, having played there each of the past three seasons in National League. Now managed by former Blues boss Marcus Bignot and Russ O’Neill, the town is on the outskirts of Bradford and the ground holds 4,000 with a selection of decent pubs nearby.

Hereford (190 miles) – Plenty of history between the two clubs, with Hereford’s liquidation in 2014 saving Chester from relegation from National League under Steve Burr. The Bulls were reborn that summer and inherited Edgar Street, which holds just under 5,000 fans. Hereford have won their respective leagues in the past three seasons, including the Southern Premier League back in April, winning 36 of their 46 matches.

Kidderminster Harriers (164 miles) – Another popular away day, Aggborough is a good, old-fashioned ground with a proud non-league history. The club continues to improve on the pitch and they knocked Chester out of the FA Cup last season at the fourth qualifying round stage, as the Blues produced arguably their worst display since reforming in 2010. Manager John Eustace has recently left to join QPR as assistant manager, with former Coventry City player Neil MacFarlane taking over.

Leamington (220 miles) – On the outskirts of Coventry, the Brakes narrowly avoided relegation on the final day last season, finishing 19th. The New Windmill Ground is one of the league’s smallest venues, holding just 2,300.

Nuneaton Town (197 miles) – The Boro is situated about 12 miles south-west of Leicester and have a 4,600 stadium which is mostly terracing. Gary Charles is at the helm and the club play at Liberty Way. The author George Eliot was born and lived in the town.

Southport (114 miles) – The Blues last visited Haig Avenue in the 2016-17 season, winning 1-0 courtesy of Evan Horwood’s winner. Former Blues boss Jon McCarthy is their current assistant manager, with Liam Watson having been appointed during the close season for a third spell in charge, replacing Kevin Davies who was fired after a poor end to the campaign.

Spennymoor Town (330 miles) – Just south of Durham, The Brewery Field will likely be a new ground for many Blues’ fans with a 3,000 capacity. The north-east side had a good campaign last year, finishing eighth under Jason Ainsley.

Stockport County (82 miles) – One of the biggest clubs in non-league, Jim Gannon’s outfit are on the long road back and finished fifth last season before losing in the play-off semi-finals. Edgeley Park holds over 10,000 and a substantial away following can be expected for both fixtures between the two rivals.

Telford United (94 miles) – The New Bucks head has an impressive main stand and holds 6,300. Gavin Cowan is at the helm and this provides one of the shortest trips of the campaign for the Blues.

York City (230 miles) – This away day will be at the top of most lists for Blues fans for next season, with the Roman city one of the country’s best getaways. Bootham Crescent holds over 8,000 and the club finished 11th last season having been relegated from National League the previous year under Gary Mills.