June 2006 News

30 June 2006
WESTWOOD SIGNS
Northampton Town defender Ashley Westwood has joined City. He began his career in 1994 as a trainee at Old Trafford before moving to Crewe Alexandra, Bradford City, Sheffield Wednesday and finally Northampton in 2003. He made three appearances for the Cobblers last season.

• Transfer activity

MARPLES JOINS CITY
The Blues have completed the signing of Doncaster Rovers defender Simon Marples on a two year deal. Marples made 169+11 appearances in seven seasons for the Yorkshire side. The club are hopeful that Tranmere Rovers defender Paul Linwood will also make the move to Deva Stadium over the weekend. Meanwhile the squad report back for pre-season training today.

29 June 2006
BOLLAND RETURNS
As expected, defender Phil Bolland has completed his return to Chester after a six month spell at Peterborough United by signing a two year deal. It looks like other new signings will shortly be following. The Blues have held talks with Tranmere Rovers defender Paul Linwood whose contract at Prenton Park runs out on Saturday. The defender, who made 8+1 appearances for Wrexham on loan last season, will command a fee as he’s under the age on 24. The club have also interested in taking Doncaster Rovers goalkeeper Andy Warrington on loan with a view to a permanent signing. The Blues have also offered a five figure fee for Rovers’ midfielder Ricky Ravenhill.

Chester chairman Stephen Vaughan told the Daily Post: “Phil Bolland has rejoined us after signing a two-year deal, and I have agreed a five-figure transfer fee with Doncaster Rovers for Ricky Ravenhill. Mark Wright will discuss personal terms with the player and hopefully we can announce a positive conclusion in the next day or so.”

28 June 2006
CUP DATE CONFIRMED
The first round Carling Cup tie at Leeds United has been confirmed for Tuesday 22 August, kick-off 19:45hrs. Admission prices to the South stand at Elland Road will be �12 (adult) and �6 (children and concessions).

26 June 2006
IS BOLLAND SET FOR A RETURN?

It looks like central defender Phil Bolland may be coming back for a second spell at Deva Stadium. Bolland made 149+10 appearances for City after joining for a £15,000 fee from Oxford United in March 2002. He left City to join Peterborough United in January where he teamed up with then Posh manager Mark Wright for the fourth time after also playing under him previously at Southport and Oxford. Bolland made 17+0 appearances for the London Road side last season.

Chairman Steve Vaughan said: “Phil Bolland has played for Mark Wright at Southport, Oxford, Chester, Peterborough, and he’s expected to return to Chester today. Phil Bolland has looked a player when he has played under Mark Wright who has always seemed to get the best out of him – and we all hope that continues.”

Picture © Evening Leader

SEASON TICKETS
A reminder that City fans have until the end of the week to take advantage of the season ticket offer giving four free matches. The club ticket office will be open from 10:00-16:00hrs.
East (main) & West stands: adults �323.00, concession �228.00, under 16’s �114.00.
North Terrace: adults �285.00, concession �190.00, under 16’s �95.00.
Executive lounge matchday: adults �570.00, senior citizen �513.00.
Car Park season pass: �40.00.

• Ticket prices

22 June 2006
HOME START FOR CITY
The League Two fixtures for next season were issued today and the Blues will kick-off the 2006/07 campaign with a home game against newly promoted Accrington Stanley on Saturday 5 August swiftly followed three days later with a trip to Bury. City fans won’t have long to wait before they renew their rivalry with Wrexham as the Dragons are due to visit Deva Stadium on 19 August, though this may be moved back 24hrs.

21 June 2006
CITY TRAVEL TO LEEDS

The Blues have a plum draw in the first round of the Carling Cup as they travel to Yorkshire to play Championship side Leeds United. The game will be played at Elland Road in the week commencing 21 August.

Chairman Steve Vaughan said: “The first round draw has provided a great start before the season gets under way. I’m sure all our fans will have an enjoyable day at Leeds United – it’s an ideal start for us and I’m hoping it’s a sign that we’ll have a memorable season.

The pairing will rekindle memories of the occasion when the two sides met at the third round stage in 1974/75 when Chester, then in the Fourth Division, beat the League champions 3-0 at Sealand Road in arguably the clubs greatest ever victory.

The sides have since met again in the same competition back in 1983/84. It was a two-legged Milk Cup affair in those days that saw Chester winning 1-0 at Elland Road in the first match, Andy Elliott scoring the goal, before Leeds won 4-1 in the second leg to progress. Peter Zelem with the consolation goal.

TWO MORE SIGNINGS
City have today made two more signings. They are Johnathan Walters from Wrexham and Kevin Sandwith from Macclesfield Town. Bboth have been given two year contracts.

20 June 2006
CARLING CUP DRAW
The draw for the first round of the Carling Cup will take place tomorrow at 12:00. City are unseeded and will play a team from the following: Sunderland, Preston North End, Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke City, Leicester City, Burnley, Hull City, Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County, Barnsley, Crewe Alexandra, Huddersfield Town, Nottingham Forest, Doncaster Rovers, Oldham Athletic, Bradford City or Scunthorpe United.

BENNETT FOR CHESTER
Chester have signed Dean Bennett from Wrexham on a two year deal. Midfielder Bennett missed some of last season at the Racecourse through injury.

CITY TARGET ELLISON AGAIN
Chester have made another six-figure bid to bring former winger Kevin Ellison back to Deva Stadium. Ellison, who left Chester 18 months ago, recently turned down a move to Scunthorpe United.

Blues chairman Steve Vaughan told the Daily Post: “I have contacted the Hull chairman Adam Pearson and hopefully he will find our offer acceptable. This isn’t the first time we have tried to bring Kevin back to Chester, hopefully this time our approach will be successful. I am determined to have a good go at winning promotion this season and the only way we will achieve that is with quality players.”

Postcript: Ellison has now joined Tranmere Rovers.

16 June 2006
BROUGHTON SIGNS
As expected Rushden & Diamonds striker Drewe Broughton has completed a two year deal at Deva Stadium.

15 June 2006
BROUGHTON AGREES TERMS

Rushden & Diamonds striker Drewe Broughton has agreed terms with Chester City. Broughton scores ten goals for Diamonds who were relegated from League Two last season.

Chairman Steve Vaughan told the Evening Leader: “Drewe Broughton wants to join us and he has agreed personal terms. He will be signing a two-year deal for us subject to passing a medical. We’re hoping that Drewe can fit into the side and complement Gregg Blundell in our attack. I’m hoping that Drewe will be the first of our next few new signings because we’re looking at clinching deals with a League One centre half, a couple of midfielders and two goalkeepers.”

Broughton began his career in 1996 at Norwich City as a trainee and has since played for Wigan Athletic (loan), Brentford, Peterborough United (loan), Nuneaton Borough (loan), Dagenham & Redbridge (loan), Stevenage Borough (loan), Kidderminster Harriers (loan), Kidderminster Harriers, Southend United, Rushden & Diamonds (loan), Wycombe Wanderers (loan) and finally Rushden & Diamonds.

CRONIN FOR CITY?
Exeter City’s Glenn Cronin could be moving to Chester. The official Grecians website states that Cronin, a tough tackling midfielder, is to have a medical at Chester on 20 June. Cronin started his career as a trainee at Exeter back in 2000 and has gone on to make 137+23 appearances scoring 5 goals.

HESSEY EARNS NEW CONTRACT

Defender Sean Hessey has agreed a new two year deal at Chester. Signed from Blackpool in June 2004, 27-year-old Hessey has made 56+5 apppearances in a City shirt though he was only able to make 17+2 last season due to injury.

Manager Mark Wright told the Evening Leader: “Sean didn’t feature in many games last season because he was injured, but he has two very good feet and he had a number of good performances. I believe he was one of our most consistent players, but he needs to have a really good season and I think he has that in his locker. Sean has all the credentials to be a very good player, but I feel he just needs to work on the mental and fitness side of his game.”

Picture © Evening Leader

13 June 2006
POTTERS FRIENDLY
The Blues have arranged a pre-season friendly with Championship side Stoke City. The game at Deva Stadium will take place on Tuesday 11 July with a 19:45hrs kick-off.

9 June 2006
RESERVES
Once again the reserves will be playing in the Pontins Holiday League Division One West next season. The other teams they will meet are: Accrington Stanley, Bury, Blackpool, Burnley, Carlisle United, Manchester City, Oldham Athletic, Rochdale, Tranmere Rovers and Wrexham.

8 June 2006
CITY SIGN WINGER
Mark Wright has made another pre-season signing in the form of Manchester-born winger Jermaine McSporran from Doncaster Rovers. McSporran, 29, began his career at Oxford City before moving to Wycombe Wanderers in November 1998. In a six year spell with the Chairboys he made 141+46 appearances scoring 41 goals. He had a 2+4 loan spell at Walsall before joining Doncaster Rovers in June 2004. McSporran made 20+12 appearances for the Belle Vue side scoring two goals and spent a loan spell at Boston United earlier this year where he made two appearances as substitute.

Blues chairman Steve Vaughan said: “Things seems to be moving and although Jermaine had some bad luck with injuries at Doncaster last season, we think we’ve got an excellent player.”

• Transfer activity

6 June 2006
FORMER ACADAMY MAN DIES

It’s sad to report the death of former Football in the Community officer John Kerr at only 46. Kerr had been working as the Academy manager at Cardiff City and was on a family holiday when he passed away early on Sunday morning.

Kerr left Chester in March 1999 after serving nine years with the club where, with David Fogg, he helped establish the youth system that brought through the likes of Martyn Lancaster and Andy Shelton. He left the Blues for a similar role at Shrewsbury Town.

Bluebirds chairman Sam Hamman told the official Cardiff City website: “John was a very key figure in the recent development at the Club bringing through talent like Joe Ledley and Cameron Jerome and future prospects Joe Jacobson, Darcy Blake, Curtis McDonald and Jamal Easter. It is very hard to imagine that this gentle, hard working and effective personality will not be with us any longer. Ninian Park just won’t be the same without him.”

2 June 2006
WAYNE BROWN DEPARTS THE DEVA

Good luck to goalkeeper Wayne Brown who has left the club after having his contract terminated. Brown, City’s longest serving player, made made 289+1 appearances for The Blues after signing in September 1996 from Bristol City. He was awarded a testimonial game in May 2004 in recognition of his services to the club.

Brown spent the whole of last season on loan at Hereford United where he made 36 appearances and helped the Bulls returnt to the Football League after a play-off victory over Halifax Town. He's expected to sign on a permanent basis for the Edgar Street club.

• Testimonial match | dinner

1 June 2006
CITY SIGN DEFENDER

Chester have completed the signing of Rushden & Diamonds defender Graham Allen on a 12 month contract.

Allen (29) began his career as a trainee at Everton before moving to Tranmere Rovers on loan in 1998, he made four appearances before joining the Prenton Park club on a permanent basis. Allen went on to make 224+9 appearances scoring 11 goals in the process before a move in June 2004 took him to Rushden. He made 33+1 appearances for Diamonds scoring twice though his last game for the club was in mid January.

Manager Mark Wright told The Chronicle: “Graham’s a player I’ve been very, very keen on in the past. He’s got a good pedigree, he’s got lots of experience, he’s a good leader and a good football player. We know he’s had a bad hip and we have to be mindful of that but we’ll look after him and make sure he plays games. Graham can play a holding role in midfield, right-back, centre-half or sweeper. He’s a man for all seasons and those sort of players can be very valuable to you when you haven’t got a big squad.”