DEAN KEATES has a confession.......he wants the cross-border derby with Chester back.

And it’s perhaps no surprise when you look at his record as Wrexham manager in the hotly contested clashes.

Keates won his last two matches in charge of Wrexham in derby battle - after drawing the first one - completing a league double over Chester for the first time in 42 years when securing a 2-0 home success back in March 2018.

“I didn’t want them relegated. You don’t mind them struggling, but the derby is a game you look forward to,” confessed Keates, who had a won one, drawn one, lost one record as a Wrexham player against Chester.

“I’ve played in it and managed in it and it’s different to any other game. From the Monday morning until the game is played that following weekend there is a real buzz.

“It’s a great game for the fans and the players.

“While the Old Firm derby is about religion, the Wrexham v Chester derby is about two different countries going head-to-head for bragging rights.

“It’s massive for the players and it means so much for the town as a whole for the club to win the derby.

“And even though there is an intense rivalry, there will be people with relatives, friends or work colleagues who they can get bragging rights over.”