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31
December 2007
WELSH JOINS CITY
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Chester have signed 23-year-old
John Welsh on loan from Hull City. The Liverpudlian midfielder is a
former England u21 international and began his career at Liverpool
where he made four first team appearances. He joined the Tigers in
2005, after an initial loan period, and had recovered from a broken
tibia and fibia received earlier this year. He has not played for the
first team this season. Chester are hoping to receive clearance from
the Football League and the Football Association in time so he can
feature in tomorrow’s home game with Grimsby Town. The club have
also announced that they have offered youth team player James Gregory
a professional contract.
Picture © Evening Leader |
WESTWOOD MOVES
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Good luck to Ashley
Westwood will
join Conference side Stevenage Borough tomorrow. The defender recently
returned from a loan spell at Port Vale. Westwood joined City in
June 2006 and made 25+0 appearances in a Chester shirt scoring
three goals.
Picture © Evening Leader |
ELLISON SUSPENSION
Kevin Ellison will be suspended for the away game at Accrington Stanley on 5
January after
picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.
30 December 2007
CITY SUFFER SECOND HOLIDAY DEFEAT
City
ended 2007 with back-to-back defeats over the holiday period following
Saturday’s
disappointing 3-0 loss at Brentford. The Blues turned in their worst performance
of the season
at Griffin Park, having fallen behind to an early goal they failed to create
a real chance on goal in the entire 90 minutes and the home side added two
more after the break to run out comfortable winners and in doing so complete
the double
over Chester.
Manager Bobby Williamson described the performance as one of the worst he’s
ever had, he said: “It’s probably as bad a defeat as I have ever
suffered as a manager, especially at this club, and I am very disappointed
for
everyone concerned. The fans who came along in good numbers. We met them
in the morning and I am very disappointed for them. I’m disappointed
for the club directors who were here and I’m disappointed for the players
as they can do better than that.”
I had a lot of problems before the match with
injured players, but there are no excuses. All the players selected
feel they are part of the squad and they feel they are good enough
to be playing. But a lot of the players proved at Brentford
that they are not good enough to be playing in regular places.
But I have still got faith in them and
I know they can provide better performances. And the same squad will
be named for tomorrow's
home match against Grimsby.
There are players out there who I would like to bring
to Chester, but the chairman can’t provide any money. We are salary-capped,
so players
have got to leave the club before I can bring any new players in. We
have a lot of players out on loan who I would like to see moving on to
clear
up some money to get rid of
the salary cap so we can strengthen
the squad, but if that doesn’t materialise there is not a lot I can do.”
The City cause wasn’t helped by the loss of targetman John
Murphy who was one of five players out through injury. Many of
those on the pitch were
also playing out of their normal position, but there was a distinct lack
of fight and passion which will have disappointed the traveling
fans the
most.
City have an immediate chance to put the defeat
behind them when they host Grimsby Town on New Year’s Day (15:00).
Picture © Evening Leader
28
December 2007
BID REJECTED
Chester have had their £50,000 bid for Paul Taylor rejected by Vauxhall
Motors.
Vauxhall chairman Alan Bartlam told the Chronicle: “Chester’s
bid fell some way short of our expectations. Paul should clearly be playing at
a higher level and we are sure he will, but we will not accept the first bid
that comes along. We would be happy to keep him if we do not get an acceptable
bid, but if someone makes an offer that is suitable for Paul and ourselves then
we will
let him go. The bid made by Chester, however, did not come close to the valuation
we have in mind.”
STRIKER PROBLEMS
The
Blues have injury problems ahead of tomorrow’s League Two match at Brentford.
John Murphy, Nathan Lowndes and Simon Yeo are all doubtful starters after picking
up injuries against Bury and Morecambe, that would leave youngsters Chris Holroyd
and Paul McManus as the only fit forwards.
Chester will be hoping to put the
Boxing Day defeat behind them as they travel to a side who are currently being
managed by caretaker boss Andy Scott. Scott took over four games ago following
the sacking of his predecessor Terry Butcher and have picked up four points from
the last nine which included an away draw at leaders MK Dons. Scott must do without
Ben Starosta who is suspended for the match.
Goals from Lee Thorpe and Sammy Moore gave the Bees a 2-0 win the last
time the
sides met at
Deva
Stadium
in
September.
FIVE TOLD THEY CAN LEAVE
Ashley Westwood, Sean Hessey, Phil Bolland, Dean Bennett, and Kevin Sandwith
have been told they can all leave Chester. Westwood has just returned from a
loan spell at Port Vale, Hessey is currently on loan at Macclesfield Town, Bolland
has had trials at Wrexham and Bennett is currently on loan at Kidderminster
Harriers.
27
December 2007
BOXING DAY BLUES
City
suffered their heaviest defeat of the season at Morecambe losing 5-3 after a
poor first half performance saw the Blues trail 4-1, conceding three of the
goals from
corners
taken by ex-City striker Michael Twiss.
The defeat drops City to eighth place in League Two. It had looked a different
story early on as Kevin Ellison had given Chester a fifth minute lead but three
goals in six minutes midway through the half completely turned the game round
and a fourth on the strike of half-time ended the game as a contest. The Shrimps
made it five on 70 minutes before Ellison scored his second and Chris Holroyd
added a third to reduce the deficit.
Manager Bobby Williamson said after seeing his heaviest defeat since taking
over
at Chester: “I found it really disappointing that we couldn’t defend
from set-pieces at Morecambe. We know we’re organised and we know who should
be picking up who, and who should be inside the six yard box and dealing with
certain situations. Certain players did relinquish their duties, but I’ll
take responsibility for that because I delegate who goes into those areas and,
obviously I delegated
wrongly, so I’ll have a look at that and make sure I get the players to defend
those areas in the proper manner.”
Williamson handed a full debut to youth team player Glenn Rule at Morecambe,
the youngster started in a three-man central midfield role alongside fellow
teenager Kevin Roberts and
Mark Hughes.
Nathan Lowndes had been unavailable for selection at Christie Park through injury.
Both
John Murphy and Simon Yeo have picked up injuries in yesterday’s defeat.
Picture © Evening Leader
23
December 2007
THREE POINTS FOR UNDER-PAR CITY
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City completed their first double
of the season on Saturday when they came from a goal down to beat ten-man
Bury 2-1 at Deva Stadium. Andy Bishop had given the Shakers an early
start and they were playing the better football and heading for an interval
lead before Mark Hughes leveled for City. Bishop was shown a red card
for a second bookable offence after the break and City, who improved
on their poor first half performance, struck the winner eleven minutes
from time as Kevin Ellison (pictured) headed
home at the far post.
After the game Blues manager Bobby Williamson said: “It’s a great
three points for us, we knew it was going to be difficult and that certainly
proved to be the case, Bury came here and got themselves in front and it took
us a while to get back into it. We managed to get a goal at half time, this helped
us tremendously and gave us something to build on for the second half, and thankfully
young Kevin Roberts had a desire to get to the by-line and he put a great ball
in to Ellison, a left winger playing on the right who also showed a great desire
and he has got us a winning goal.”
City remain in sixth place in League Two and will be in action next on Boxing
Day when they make the trip to Morecambe. Kick-off at Christie Park is 15:00hrs.
Picture © Evening Leader
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21
December 2007
CITY BID FOR STRIKER
Chester have tabled a reported £50,000 for Vauxhall Motors’ 22-year-old
striker
Paul Taylor.
SHAKERS IN TOWN
The
Blues entertain Bury at Deva Stadium tomorrow (15:00hrs). The Shakers currently
lie 15th in League Two and have won just one of their last five league games.
However, during recent weeks they have progressed well in cup competitions having
beaten both Workington and Exeter City in the FA Cup to set up a third round
tie at Norwich City, and
chalked
up
a
great
2-1
victory at
Leeds
United
in
the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
Bobby Williamson welcomes back Richie Partridge to the squad following injury,
while both Tony Dinning and Tony Grant are still ruled out. Laurence Wilson,
injured in the last game against Peterborough United remains a doubt.
Bury’s only injury doubt is defender Dave Challinor who resumed training
this
week.
Chester will be looking for their first double of the season having won 2-0 at
Gigg Lane in mid September thanks to goals from Paul Butler and Mark Hughes.
• The
last
time we met
20
December 2007
FA YOUTH CUP FIXTURE
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City’s
away game in the fourth round of the FA Youth
Cup against Tottenham Hotspur will take place
on Tuesday 8 January at White Hart Lane. Kick-off
19:00hrs. The tie will be settled on the night
by, if required, extra time and penalties.
Details of admission prices are to be announced
soon. |
WESTWOOD RETURNS
Defender Ashley Westwood’s loan spell at Port
Vale has ended due to injury. Westwood made 13 appearances
for the Valiants since joining them at the end of August.
He lost his place recently and has also picked up an
Achilles tendon injury. He
has now returned to Chester.
18 December 2007
NEW DARLO DATE
The date has been set for the rearranged game at Darlington and this will
now
take
place on Tuesday 19 January, kick-off 19:30.
17
December 2007
BOBBY FRUSTRATED AT WASTED TRIP
City manager Bobby Williamson was unhappy that his side
and supporters had made a wasted journey to the north
east on Saturday. The game was called off by referee
Rob Shoebridge after a 13:20 pitch inspection, there
had already been inspections at 10:00 and 12:00. Despite
a valiant effort from the ground staff Williamson believes
the game should have been called off much earlier that
it was.
He said: “The decision to postpone the match
should have been made on Saturday morning and that
would have
saved anyone from traveling. The weather was only going
to deteriorate as the day wore on and the sun was
certainly
not going to come out, so the temperature wasn’t
going to improve. I feel the decision to postpone
the
match should have been made at the first inspection
on Saturday morning, rather than have everyone travel
up to Darlington.”
Picture © Evening
Leader
15 December 2007
MATCH OFF
Today’s League Two game
at Darlington has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.
Despite the postponement City remain sixth after this
afternoon’s other matches.
Pictures © Evening Leader
14
December 2007
CITY BOOSTED BY PARTRIDGE RETURN
Richie
Partridge is expected to be fit for tomorrow’s
game at third placed Darlington. The tricky winger missed last Saturday’s
home
defeat by Peterborough thought injury but has resumed training with the squad
this week. Ruled out tomorrow is Laurence Wilson whose calf injury will keep
him ut until at least Boxing Day. Both Tony Dinning and Tony Grant are still
ruled out.
The Quakers have an excellent unbeaten nine game home record in which they
have conceded just four goals. Darlington will be without former City loan
player Ricky Ravenhill who is suspended, another ex-Blue Gregg Blundell is
expected to play.
Ahead of the game Williamson said: "Darlington have done well with
13 clean sheets this season, so we know that we have got to take our chances
in front of goal. It's
up to us to stay solid at the back and take our chances in attack so hopefully
we can take the points we need. The Darlington match will give me an indication
of how we are competing in this league.”
Picture © Evening Leader
CITY FAN BAKER BIDS FOR BLUES
Former
director and lifelong Chester City fan Paul Baker has confirmed that he has lodged
his interest to buy the club. Baker’s company, UK Sameday, have
been
the club sponsor for two seasons and Paul is a popular figure with the City fans.
Baker is up against two other interested parties trying to take control of the
club, overseas management company ISM and Liverpool-based sports marketing agency
Sport-6.
Baker informed the Chester Chronicle: “In order for me to proceed to make
an indicative offer as quickly as possible, I have requested some key information
ahead of
any final offer that would be subject to full due diligence. I can confirm that
I have had several meetings with Stephen Vaughan over the last few days and continue
to have ongoing communication with him on a daily basis. As a result of
my discussions with Stephen, I can now confirm that I have lodged an interest
to buy his majority shareholding.”
13
December 2007
VICTORY FOR CITY YOUTH
Goals from James Gregory, Paul McManus and Lloyd
Ellams gave the youth team a 3-0 victory over York City last night to set up
an away tie at Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the competition after
they
won 1-0 at Southampton. Ironically the two sides met in the same round in
last year’s competition, with the Blues coming out on top 1-0 at the Deva
Stadium. City boss Bobby Williamson and assistant Jimmy Bone both attended the
game.
Chester City: Dorman, Robson, Feliceiello, Rowlands, Vickers,
Owen, Rule (Morrin 82), Gregory, Ellams, McManus, Mitchell (Thorpe 72). Subs
not used: Newman, Williams,
Williams.
12
December 2007
YOUTH TEAM IN CUP ACTION
The youth team host York City
in the third round of the FA Youth Cup at Deva Stadium
tonight, kick-off 19:00hrs. Admission is �3.00 for adults
and �1.00 for children. The winners of tonight’s
match are away in the next round at either Tottenham
Hotspur or Southampton in the fourth round.
10 December 2007
WILLIAMSON CONCERNED OVER CITY FUTURE
Manager
Bobby Williamson has expressed his concern for the club
following the resignation of chairman Steve Vaughan
on Saturday.
The City boss, who saw his side lose 2-1 to promotion
rivals Peterborough United on Saturday, told the Chester
Chronicle: “I’m seriously worried. The
only reason I’m here is because we’ve
got good people at the club. I was impressed with
what the chairman
had to say to me in the summer and now, four or fives
months down the road, it looks as if it is all going
to come apart at the seams. It shouldn�t be like that
because I feel we have got something to build on,
yet
nobody seems to recognise that fact.”
He added: “I’d hate to think he wants to
dismantle, but it could be that’s what we’ve
got to do and that would mean selling our best players
and bringing the kids through and players from other
clubs. If that’s the case, I can totally understand
where the chairman’s coming from because we’re
not getting enough fans through the gates to sustain
what we’re trying to achieve. The fans that do
come appreciate what Stephen Vaughan has done for this
club.”
Meanwhile City fans anxiously wait for further news
regarding the running of the club to be released. Former
City director, and lifelong supporter, Paul Baker is
attempting to hold a meeting with the ex-chairman in
the next day or so. Mr Baker commented: “I am
fully aware of the situation regarding Stephen Vaughan
resigning as chairman and director, but I now want to
sit down with him and discuss matters for the well being
of the football club.”
Picture © Evening
Leader
8 December 2007
CHAIRMAN VAUGHAN RESIGNS
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Chairman
Steve Vaughan announced just before today’s
game against Peterborough United that he has resigned
as both chairman and as a director of the club.
The press conference scheduled for Tuesday morning
has now been cancelled. Managing director Bob
Gray and secretary Tony Allan will continue to
look after the day-to-day running of the club.
Picture ©
Evening Leader
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LATE GOALS SINK CITY
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Two goal in the final ten minutes
from Aaron Mclean and Craig Mackail-Smith, the latter a penalty, gave
Peterborough United all three points at a wet and windy Deva Stadium
on Saturday afternoon. City had opened the scoring in first half stoppage
time as
Mark Hughes latched on to a John Murphy pass before hitting a 20-yarder
past Mark Tyler in the visitors goal. The defeat, the fourth at home
so far this season, leaves City still in sixth spot in League Two.
A disappointed Bobby Williamson said after the game: “I didn’t
realise we would play as poorly as we did in the second half. We
never kept the ball, we never passed the ball at all really. Everything
played forward was really a 50/50 ball or more so 60/40 in
their favour. They came back on top of us and we’re disappointed about
that.”
“I don’t think Peterborough
created any chances at all really. Half the time their players got
through because of mistakes by out centre-backs
and then Danby’s made a save. Apart from that they never troubled us.
We dealt with everything after that, but the two we let in are disappointing.”
Man of the Match Kevin Ellison | Picture
Sue Choularton
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7
December 2007
POSH IN TOWN
Fourth
placed Peterborough United visit Deva Stadium tomorrow for what should prove
a tough League Two encounter.
City turned in one of their best home performances of the
season on Tuesday night to defeat Barnet, and will be looking to carry on where
they left off then against a Posh side who have won six of their last seven
matches including a 7-0 mauling of Brentford. Manager
Darren Ferguson is expected to name an unchanged side from the one that won 1-0
on Tuesday night at Notts County.
Tony Dinning and Tony Grant are still out injured and, like his counterpart,
manager Williamson may name an unchanged starting line-up from midweek. A
win
for
City
tomorrow would
lift
them
above
their
opponents.
The two sides last
met at the end of April, drawing 1-1 at Deva Stadium in what
was to be Mark Wright’s last game in charge at Chester against his former
club
who just missed out on a play-off spot.
ASSISTANT NAMED
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Bobby Williamson
has named Jimmy Bone as his new assistant who
takes over from Malcolm Thomson who left the
club earlier in the week. Bone is an experienced
ex-forward who in his day played for Partick
Thistle, Norwich City, Sheffield United, Celtic,
Arbroath, St Mirren, Toronto Blizzard, Hong
Kong Rangers and Heart of Midlothian during
his career. Both Williamson and Bone have worked
together before on Scottish FA coaching courses.
Williamson said: “Jimmy has been here, there and everywhere. I worked with
him on the Scottish FA coaching courses at Inverclyde Sports Centre in Largs
and I know he’ll get a response from the players. He is looking forward
to working with them. Jimmy’s vastly experienced, Malcolm leaving may be
a blessing in disguise. He will be missed and we thank him for all he’s
done and wish him all the best but a change of face may lift us again. It is
a good time to make a change.”
Bone is relishing the chance to work at Chester having watched a tape of Tuesday
night’s win over Barnet and seen the reserves win at Tranmere the following
night. Ahead of his first match in the post on Saturday Bone said: “You
don’t get involved in football if you don’t want to win things and
be the best you can. The play-offs would be good, winning promotion would be
good, so we have to look to achieve something.”
Picture © Evening
Leader |
TUESDAY PRESS CONFERENCE
The club have announced that
there will be a press conference on Tuesday morning
at 11:30 when a statement concerning the future of
the club, investment
and ownership will be announced.
6
December 2007
RESERVES WIN AT TRANMERE
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A goal five
minutes from time by Paul Rutherford gave the reserves a 1-0 at Tranmere Rovers last night in the Pontins Holiday League Division One West.
Picture ©
Evening Leader
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5 December 2007
BLUES BACK TO WINNING WAYS
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An early goal from
Richie Partridge along with two strikes from
Kevin Ellison gave City a comprehensive 3-0
victory over Barnet in an entertaining game
at Deva Stadium last night. The Blues registered
their first win in four matches to move sixth
in League Two. John Murphy returned after injury
to lead the line as the Blues go off to the
best possible start with an opening goal after
just six minutes before doubling their lead
just before the interval.
Manager Bobby Williamson was
delighted after this latest victory and said:
“It was good to see Richie Partridge opening
our account with our first visit up the park.
But all three of our goals were good goals and
it was good to see them hitting the back of
the net. But another pleasing aspect from the
game was that we managed to keep a clean sheet.
I try and encourage the players to get the ball
down and play and we certainly did that, but
all credit to Barnet who knocked the ball around
well also and troubled us at times – I’m
sure they’ll win more games than they
lose this season.”
City are next in action on Saturday when fourth
placed Peterborough United visit Deva Stadium.
Before then manager Williamson is expected
to name his new assistant following the departure
on Malcolm Thomson earlier in the week with
Jimmy Bone one of the main candidates.
Picture © Evening
Leader
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4 December 2007
CITY IN ACTION TONIGHT
Chester
will be looking to get back to winning ways tonight
when they entertain Barnet at Deva Stadium (19:45).
Like City, the Bees have had a solid start to the season
and currently lie in 10th place, five points behind
the Blues. Chester have suffered two defeats and a draw
in their last three outings and will be hoping to have
striker John Murphy back in contention after he missed
the last two games through injury. Definitely ruled
out are both Tony Dinning and Tony Grant.
Barnet defender Sagi Burton is expected to be ruled
out with a knee injury, while Joe O’Cearuill is
likely to return to the side.
3 December 2007
THOMSON LEAVES CITY
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Bobby Williamson’s
assistant manager Malcolm ‘Malky’
Thomson has left Chester after eight months in
the post. It is believed he will be moving back
to Scotland, to be nearer home and his family,
and to possibly take on a similar position at
Inverness Caledonian Thistle. The club have already
announced that they will speak to Chester City
will this week speak to former Dumbarton manager,
Gerry McCabe to fill the vacancy. McCabe was Williamson’s
assistant at Kilmarnock.
Picture ©
Evening Leader
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FA TROPHY Chester have been drawn away to Gainsborough Trinity in the second round of the FA Trophy.
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BLUES WELL BEATEN A day to forget as Chester are well beaten 4-0 at Curzon Ashton. |
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