Murray issued a press statement saying:

"As of Wednesday 26th July, I have resigned my position as a Director of Chester City Football Club Limited.

My personal goal in taking on this role, was to utilise my experience of over 20 years as the managing director of a subsidiary of a large Multi National Company, to the benefit of the club, as well as providing up-to-date business systems and procedures, to enable the club to be run more efficiently than in the past.

My decision to resign was made with great reluctance, and was due to a difference of opinion with the chairman, relating to a financial matter at the club, which I felt made my position untenable. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone who has supported me in the work I have been involved in at the Stadium, whose support and valued assistance, has helped me tremendously, during a very difficult period.

I would like to make it clear that my support for the football club remains undiminished, and I will assist the club in any way I can in the future."

Terry Smith added: "I'm disappointed that Paul is going because he's done a huge amount of work for the club. I understand he's issued a statement saying it was a difference of opinion between me and him but it's not a major issue as far as I'm concerned."

Terrace: adults �10, senior citizens & unwaged �7, under 16's �5.
East (main) & West stands: adults �12, senior citizens & unwaged �9, under 16's �6.

Explaining the increase chairman Terry Smith said: "Reducing the prices was a hasty reaction to being relegated. We wanted to do something positive for the fans, but in fact, we are running a budget for next season which is higher for most of last season. If I was a fan I would sooner pay last season's prices and have a club to support."

Obviously with next seasons budget in mind the chairman has decided to change the way the players salaries are being paid. Several players have complained to the PFA after finding only two weeks wages in their July pay packets. The players, who weren't warned about it, are to be paid every fortnight instead of each month. One said: "It's not gone down too well with some of the lads, especially those who've got mortgages. If that's the way he wants to treat people, then it's quite a shock. The one thing the club needs right now is to keep the team upbeat ahead of the new season."

City have also signed 25-year-old midfielder David Kerr from Mansfield Town. Kerr played over 80 games for the Stags before being released.

Sad news today as the death of one one of Chester's former great servants Cliff Sear has been announced. Sear died on Saturday at the Countess of Chester hospital from a suspected heart attack aged 63.

Player, caretaker-manager, manager, scout, youth team coach – Sear did just about everything at Chester, always in a professional manner and will be best remembered for discovering Ian Rush, and later when at Wrexham, Chris Armstrong.

Born near Wrexham, Sear started his football career at Manchester City in 1955 and went on to make nearly 250 League appearances for the team. He won two Welsh caps at u-21 level and a full cap against England in 1963.

Cliff Sear was signed from Manchester City in 1968 and played 58 league and cup matches for Chester between 1968-70 scoring one goal (on his debut). Following this, Sear became the youth team coach at Chester bringing through future stars such as Paul and Ron Futcher and of course Ian Rush.

He was to later become assistant manager to Alan Oakes and took over as caretaker manager in March 1982 following Oakes' sacking. He was appointed manager the following season but relinquished the job to John Sainty in November 1982 reverting to what he enjoyed doing best, running the youth set-up.

Terry Smith said: “He is a tremendous player. A very quiet lad who plays hard. He gets on with the job and is very competitive. He has been booked a lot but never for anything rash. He reminds me of Matty McKay who hadn't played a first team game for us* before we sold him to Everton two years ago in a total deal worth �750,000. Darren, however, is a first team regular and is worth a lot more. We've turned down other pretty big offers in the past and there is interest from other Premiership clubs. And now that he has turned down our offer he will be allowed to leave and the fee would go to a tribunal.”

Moss recently rejected a new five-year deal at the Deva.

City have placed three players on the transfer list. Nick Richardson (left), who still has a year of his contract to run, Trinidad & Tobago International Angus Eve and Tony Hemmings. The club have stated that they will require a fee for Eve who hasn't been seen at the club since the end of last season.

Chester City will unveil their new shirt sponsors tomorrow. The deal struck by Rod Burton is described by Terry Smith as: 'the biggest sponsorship that Chester City has ever had'.