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NEWS FROM DEVA STADIUM 2011

January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | 2010 News | Archive News
JANUARY
31 January 2011
RICHARD WIGHTMAN
The sad news was announced last night of the death of Richard Wightman, a popular board member at the football club. Richard passed away at the age of 33 following a serious illness. Richard, who supported the Blues all his life, was the Membership Officer with City Fans United and like many others, voluntarily gave his time and dedication to the cause and was instrumental with the setting up of our new club.

A minute’s applause for Rich will be held at tomorrow night’s match at Leigh Genesis and at the next home match on 12 February against Clitheroe.

END OF SEASON AWARDS NIGHT
The club have announced details of an end of season awards night on Saturday 7 May. The event will be hosted by BBC’s Colin Murray and will take place at the Pavilion Suite at Chester Racecourse. All of the awards are sponsored by Oswestry Printers and include the Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year, Goal of the Season, Golden Boot and Clubman awards. All proceeds from the evening will go towards the newly formed Youth Team.

Tickets are priced at £30 each, with tables of 12 priced at £300+vat. Tickets will go on sale from tomorrow and demand is expected to be high as it was last summer for the 125 Anniversary Night at the same location.

29 January 2011
MATCH OFF
Following a 10.15 inspection today’s match at Garforth Town was postponed due to a frozen pitch. Of Chester’s promotion rivals Chorley scored a 96th minute equaliser to draw 2-2 at Ossett Albion while AFC Fylde were beaten at home 3-1 by Salford City. Chester are now seven points clear at the top of the league and are next in action on Tuesday night when they travel to bottom side Leigh Genesis.

Latest table

28 January 2011
BLUES LOOK FOR PERFECT TEN
Chester will attempt to chalk up their tenth successive away league victory when they travel to Yorkshire tomorrow to play Garforth Town. Since the opening draw at Warrington Town the Blues have had a perfect run of league results away from home. The weather could still play a key role tomorrow as an overnight frost is forecast in the area and the pitch will be monitored in the morning though as of yet no inspection is planned.

Manager Neil Young will make at least one change from the team that beat Ossett Albion 6-0 last weekend, confirming that left-back Chris Williams has been given the week off and will not travel to the game. Young told the official club website: “Chris is a young lad who has so far had an excellent season and played almost all of the games but Chris has not played at this level before with all the expectation. One of the reasons for resting him tomorrow is he travels a lot further than most to games and training so I believe by just giving him some time off will recharge the batteries and he will be back to his best form again.”


Latest table


CHORLEY TICKETS
Chroley football club have announced that Chester will receive a 1,100 ticket allocation for the match at The Victory park Stadium on Saturday 19 February.

25 January 2011
FREE COMMENTARY FOR ALL
Those supporters who are unable to get to Chester for home matches will be delighted to hear that all the remaining matches this season will be broadcast over the internet free of charge. In association with The Exiles, Blues Live commentary will be available for all to hear throughout the world. The decision follows the success of the free service available for the three home games in January that brought a great response from Exiles fans all over the world.

Chester FC Media Officer Jeff Banks said, “At Chester FC we want to continue to spread the word about the Blues, and it’s great that the high quality Blues Live service can now be offered to supporters in the UK and around the world, free for the rest of the season.”

David Evans who is the Exiles Liaison & Communications Officer at the football club, said “There is no substitute for being at the match live, but this is the next best thing. It is great news for our hundreds of exiled Chester supporters all over the world that they can now listen in and feel part of the match day experience. It is another great example of the community ethos of the club as the service is provided by volunteers.”

“Last Saturday there were people from Glasgow to Brighton and as far away as Ghana and Japan listening in. We would urge all Chester supporters to tell any friends or family who cannot get to the game to listen in. The Exiles are delighted to be backing the service.”

Blues Live

23 January 2011
RAMPANT CHESTER HIT SIX
For the second time this season Chester hit six goals without reply as Ossett Albion, like Trafford earlier in the season, were blown away by a rampant Blues attack.

Michael Wilde led the way with his third hat-trick of the season, while Iain Howard weighed in with two further goals and the was a first goal from new striker Chris Simm (pictured) making his debut in the Chester line-up.

It was an all-round impressive performance from Chester and a confidence booster after faltering slightly at home in recent performances.

The match received the go-ahead after the pitch covers the club invested in prior to Christmas, did their job (as did the volunteers who put them down and removed them) to prevent a freeze that saw other matches in the division postponed.

The win for Chester gives them an eight point lead at the top of the division over both Chorley who have three games in hand over the Blues, and AFC Fylde who have one game in hand.

A delighted manager Neil Young said after the match: “It was a thoroughly professional performance and on another day we could have had two or three more. All we’ve got to do now is keep winning. If we win every game until the end of the season we’ll be champions and it’s as simple as that.”

League table | More pictures

Picture © Evening Leader

21 January 2011
TWO PLAYERS DEPART
Defender Stuart Graves (pictured) and forward Michael Clarke have both left the club. Graves who played 8+5 matches for Chester and scored the winning goal at Wakefield that secured the first league win for the club, has made the decision due to added work commitments.

Clarke, who only joined the club recently and made just one first team appearance, is after regular first team football something that couldn’t be guaranteed at Chester. Both have moved on with the best wishes from the club and management.


Picture © Evening Leader

20 January 2011
SIMM SIGNS FOR BLUES
Chester manager Neil Young has continued his team building with the signing of Southport striker Chris Simm. The club have followed the progress of the player for some time and a transfer fee was agreed with Conference side Southport today. Simm has already appeared against Chester this season as he was part of the Chorley team, on loan, that beat the Blues in September. Young said: “Chris is a proven scorer in higher leagues and provides another dimension to our attack with his pace. Chris had several options, but understands what we are trying to do at this club and was keen to join.”

Player transfers

CLUB ANNOUNCE YOUTH PARTNERSHIP
The football club are to team up next season with Newton Athletic Youth Football Club to develop a youth team for 2011/12. The new team will consist of 16-18 year olds from Chester and the surrounding areas, and will compete in the under 18’s division of the Houlihan’s Birkenhead Sunday Youth League and Cheshire Sunday Cup next season. The club will hold trials pre-season.

Chester will also run a reserve team next season that will play in a series of non-public matches against opposition from the north west and north wales. This will give the fringe players a chance to stay match-fit and will also allow the youth players to progress and gain experience playing with more senior players.

16 January 2011
JANUARY JINX IS OVER
The Blues recorded their first home January win for nine years as they ran out 3-1 winners over Wakefield on Saturday. The visitors were reduced to ten men early in the game after top scorer Tom Denton was shown a straight red card after an off-the-ball incident with George Horan. The Chester skipper saw yellow for his part in the goalmouth fracas.

Manager Neil Young handed a full debut to midfielder Ashley Williams, and the Chester-born youngster turned in a man-of-the-match performance as headed goals from Bradley Barnes, Michael Wilde and Robbie Booth extended the lead at the top of the table to five points with closest rivals Chorley, who now have two games in hand, not playing. The visitors scored a consolation goal in the last minute.

Manager Young said: “They’ll say the sending-off changed the game, but you can only beat what is in front of you and overall I thought we played quite well.”

“It was difficult as once they had the man sent-off they shut up shop and tried to stop us from playing and scoring, which you can understand. But we coped with it well. So I’m glad to put an end to the January curse. More importantly it puts us five points clear, although there’s a long way to go yet.”

League table
| More pictures

Picture © Evening Leader

14 January 2011
BLUES HELD AT HOME AGAIN
Chester had to settle for a share of the spoils following last night’s 2-2 home draw with AFC Fylde. The point edges the Blues two ahead of promotion rivals Chorley but the Lancashire side currently have a game in hand.

Chester were on the back foot from the start and saw the visitors take the lead after just seven minutes with Kevin Townson converting from close range after good approach play by the excellent Mike Barnes who left turned Michael Aspin before sending in a pinpoint delivery.

The Blues clawed their back in the game and leveled matters on 17 minutes thanks to an overhead kick from Michael Wilde who pounced after George Horan had beaten visiting goalkeeper Lewis Edge to a Tom Field cross to knock the ball down.

Another stunning goal just ten minutes later gave Chester the lead. as Jimmy McCarthy’s long throw was met on the half volley from the edge of the box by Bradley Barnes.

On the strike of half-time however the visitors drew level again through hit-man Townson who couldn't miss from ten yards after being set up by Joe Booth.

The Blues weathered a period of Fylde pressure after the restart, with man-of-the-match Carl Ruffer having a great game in defence, and both sides had chances to win after the break but in the end had to settle for a point which will have suited neither.

Last night’s crowd of 1,740 was the lowest of the season. The Blues are back at home on Saturday when Wakefield are the visitors, kick-off 15:00hrs.

League table | Match report


Picture © Evening Leader
13 January 2011
BLUES IN ACTION TONIGHT
Chester entertain fifth placed AFC Fylde tonight looking to get their home form back on track after picking up just one of the last six points available. The Blues have had their lead at the top of the table cut to just one point following Chorley’s last minute win against Mossley last night. Fylde slipped from third to fifth following last night’s other results.

The visitors are managed by Kelham O’Hanlon who had a stint as coach at Chester under manager Mark Wright in what were rather difficult times. He was full of praise for the new set-up now at Chester and told the Evening Leader: “I found my time as coach at Chester as a bizarre experience. I was asked to come in and help, but I think an appropriate slant would be to say it was a strange and difficult time for the club.

“There was a lot of doom and gloom around the place at that time, but the story since then has been fantastic for everybody concerned at the club. I felt the feel-good factor when I watched Chester play Trafford this season and the differences between my time as coach and now were clear for all to see.”

“It’s fantastic to see the Chester fans doing such a good job and being able to see their team play in the same stadium that Chester City used to play.”

The two sides have yet to meet this season but are due to meet again in the Presidents Cup in February before Chester visit Kellamergh Park on the final day of the season.

Those supporters who can’t get to the match tonight are able to tune into live FREE commentary on the Blues Live network. Throughout January the commentaries are being streamed free thanks to the backing of the Exiles. You can listen to the commentary form the following link http://blueslive.co.uk/wp/?cat=4

League table

12 January 2011
TWO MORE SIGNINGS
Manager Neil Young has made two more signings as Chester-born midfielder Ashley Williams joins from local side from Airbus UK and goalkeeper Adam Judge has signed from Leigh Genesis. The club are awaiting internation clearance for Williams before he can be selected, he is a Welsh Under-23 semi-pro international. Judge played in goal for Leigh against Chester earlier in the season as the two teams drew 1-1.

Young told the Evening Leader: “I’m pleased Ashley has decided to join Chester because I know we were one of a number of clubs chasing his signature. We’ve had to pay a small fee for Ashley because he was on contract at Airbus until the end of the season.”

“But he’s a Chester lad and he is keen to help his hometown club win promotion. We’re hoping he can bring a lot to our table and I’m hoping the FA can give us the thumbs up so that he can play some part in tonight’s match.”

“I firmly believe that Ashley is not just a player for now at Chester, but someone who can contribute over the next 18 months.”

Player transfers

9 January 2011
SANNA RETURNS TO BAY
Goalkeeper Chris Sanna has been sold back to Colwyn Bay after making just seven appearances for the Blues. The 23-year-old has been sold for the same fee he was bought back in November.

Chester chief executive Steve Ashton said: “Chris wanted to return to his former club after not settling at Chester. I am surprised that the player has not given it more of a go, especially as Chris was so keen to join Chester and play for a manager whom he knows well.”

“However, we only want players who are 100% committed to the cause. We wish Chris well, and thank him for his efforts whilst here.”
“There is a big expectation throughout the whole club from the fans, management team, board and most importantly the playing squad. As Neil Young has recently advised, we need players who are not only good footballers but can also cope with this high expectation.”

Richard Whiteside returned to the starting line-up on Saturday as Chester won 2-0 at Trafford. The Blues had a dream start with a goal from Iain Howard in the first minute and went on to double their lead midway through the opening period through captain George Horan.

Chester are next in action at home on Wednesday night when they can expect a tough encounter against the third placed side AFC Fylde.

League table


7 January 2011
PITCH INSPECTION
There is a pitch inspection tomorrow morning to ascertain whether the match at Trafford can go ahead, details will appear on the home club’s website at 11.00hrs. The pitch is currently playable but a precautionary inspection will be carried out at 10:45hrs.

Trafford website

MEADOWCROFT DEPARTS
The club have confirmed that defender Danny Meadowcroft has left by mutual consent. Meadowcroft was manager Neil Young’s first signing in the summer and he led the team out for their inaugural match at Colwyn Bay.

Meadowcroft faileed to command a regular spot in the side and made a total of 4+0 appearances for the club.

Picture © Evening Leader

4 January 2011
FIXTURE CHANGES
There are two changes to the fixture list. The twice-postponed home match against Durham City will now take place on Saturday 26 February, kick-off 15:00hrs. The home match against Salford City has now been moved from that afternoon to Wednesday 9 March, kick-off 19:45hrs.
3 January 2011
BLUES BLOW THEIR ADVANTAGE
Chester drew 2-2 with Warrington Town this afternoon after the visitors scored twice in the final 20 minutes to bag a deserved point, in fact they could have taken all three at the death had Chris Gahgan not missed from close range.

Manager Neil Young made no fewer than five changes from the side that ground out victory at Prescot on Saturday and had a dream start as Steven Beck opened the scoring from close range on five minutes after Kyle Wilson had seen a shot rebound off a post.

The Blues were unable to capitalise on their start and it was the visitors, enjoying a run of five straight victories, who were the better side for the remainder of the half with Chris Sanna saving well to deny Mike Duffy an equaliser.

Chester however doubled their advantage on 68 minutes with captain George Horan prodding home from close range following a flick-on from Michael Wilde.

The Wire soon reduced the arrears as the unfortunate Stuart Jones scored in his own net under a challenge with Gahgan. The Chester defence continued to defend deep and invite the visitors to attack and in the last minute the inevitable happened as Tom Hardwick side-footed home the equaliser.

Another large home crowd, 2,609, will have left disappointed but the Blues remain top of the league though their lead has been reduced to five points following Chorley’s 1-0 win over another of the promotion hopefulls Curzon Ashton.

A disappointed Young told the Evening Leader after the match: “I didn’t think we deserved to be 2-0 up and I thought Warrington were the better team.”

“But we’ll take the point because we’ve played games when we could have lost. From the first minute to the last I thought Warrington were the better team and they had more desire than us which is worrying.”

“I didn’t think we turned up and we were far from good enough. We seem to be continually undone by late goals. We can all look for excuses, but I am looking for answers.

“At the end of the day people here have got to stand up and be counted. When we’re 2-0 and then 2-1 up in a game we have to ensure that we see the game out.

League table | More pictures

Picture © Evening Leader

1 January 2011
LATE JONES GOAL SECURES WIN
A goal from Stuart Jones deep into stoppage time gave Chester a 1-0 win at Prescot Cables. It was a scrappy performance from the Blues on a difficult heavy pitch but the win maintained their six point lead at the top of the division. Jones, who had already seen one effort rattle the crossbar, popped up at the far post in the 94th minute to crash home a volley following a cross from Greg Stones to the delight of the large City following.

Chester are back in action on Monday when they entertain Warrington Town. Town were our first ever opponents of course at the start of the season as the two sides drew 1-1 at Cantilever Park in August. They enjoyed a 2-0 home in over Witton Albion yesterday that seees them now lie in eighth place.

Manager Neil Young told the Chester Chronicle: “It was a dramatic way to do it, but it was a really good win. Prescot were well up for the game. It was New Year’s Day, there was a big crowd and a pitch like a pudding. There was no quarter given, but we matched them for effort and matched them on the physical side, which we had to if we wanted to win.

“I said to the lads at half-time that these are the type of games that if you come away with a 1-0 win, they are the ones that when you look back at the end of April they are the ones that possibly win you the title.

“So although it was not a great spectacle – and you also have to remember that both sides had gone a long time without playing football – we stuck at it and because of that I always knew we would get an opportunity. I just didn’t think we’d have to wait that long!

“But when we did score it was a great moment – it sounded as if there was 5,000 people in the ground rather than 1,000. The noise was incredible.”

Picture © Evening Leader

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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