News from Deva Stadium June 2011

Popular defender Carl Ruffer has been told he’s free to speak to other clubs after manager Neil Young confirmed he couldn’t guarantee the 36-year-old Chester-born defender a regular place in the team next season.

Young told the Blues website: “Carl just wants to play every week and that’s something that I can’t guarantee.”

“Carl was excellent for us last season and his leadership and will to win is second to none and is a great example to the younger players, but this season I couldn’t guarantee him that he would start regularly, and to be fair to Carl he said he wants and needs to be playing week in week out.”

Ruffer made 37+0 appearances and scored three goals for the Blues last season in his second spell with the club. He first joined Chester City in August 2000 and then made 90+14 appearances scoring seven goals before joining Morecambe in May 2004.

Picture © Evening Leader

26 June 2011
ISLAND GAMES DUTY FOR CHRIS
As the Chester players returned for their first training session last Thursday night one notable absentee was Chris Williams. The young defender is currently in the Isle of Wight taking part in the 14th Island Games as he represents Anglesey (Ynys Môn) in the football tournament. The group matches beging with a game against the hosts today, followed by Gibraltar on Monday and Alderney on Tuesday.

• The Island Games | Football

18 June 2011
YOUNG MAKE DOUBLE TRANSFER SWOOP
Two more played have joined the squad for next season. Defender Rob Marsh-Evans returns to the club from Southport. He came through the youth team ranks at Chester to make 31 first team appearances for the club six years ago. The 24-year-old player scored three goals in 26 matches for the Sandgrounders.

Chester-born 22-year-old winger Wes Baynes joins the club from neighbours Wrexham. He has made 74 appearances for the Dragons and spent part of last season on loan in the Conference at Altrincham.

• Transfer activity

16 June 2011
FRIENDLY FIXTURES
Chester currently have eight pre-season fixtures lined-up with the latest addition being a home match against Conference side Stockport County on Saturday 30 July. There have been a couple of date changes recently.

The league fixtures for 2011/12 are due to be released at 09.00hrs on Wednesday 13 July.

• Pre-season matches

EXILES PREDICTION COMPETITION RESULT
Congratulations to Andy Brearley who has won this years competition, he finished one point above Glyn Owen who in turn beat Nigel Grimes by a single point into third place. The tie-break answer was not required this season.

• Final 2011 Placings

1st	30pts	Andy Brearley (£100)
2nd	29pts	Glyn Owen (£40)
3rd	28pts	Nigel Grimes (£20)

The winners cheques will be posted shorlty.

14 June 2011
SEASON TICKET SALES
The club have already sold over 500 season tickets in under two weeks. Supporters have until Thursday 30 June to renew the same seat as last season, as after this date all remaining seats will go on sale to prospective season ticket holders. The ticket office at the ground is open between 10.00-16.00hrs on weekdays at the ground.

9 June 2011
DANBY RETURNS TO CHESTER

Former goalkeeper John Danby has returned to Chester. The 27-year-old player has signed from Eastwood Town on a two-year contract. Danby has been the target of three Conference Premier sides, including rivals Wrexham, but has opted for is former club instead. The deal to bring him back to Chester has been made possible by a local businessman who has also offered the player part-time employment.

Danby, made a club record 128 consecutive Football League appearances during his first spell at Chester City between 2006 and 2010.

Chester director Steve Ashton added: “We had a little difficulty with the goalkeeping position last season, but given John’s record and ability we believe he will be an excellent signing for the club. John joins us within the club’s wage structure and his move to us was facilitated by a respected member of the Chester business community.”

Two players have moved on, striker Kyle Wilson has joined Bangor City while goalkeeper Richard Whiteside had joined AFC Fylde.

• Transfer activity

Picture © Evening Leader

3 June 2011
McNEIL SIGNS IN
Chester have continued their pre-season team building with the signing of 34-year-old Matty McNeil from Southport. The versatile player, who can play as a central defender or as a target man, scored five goals in 19 apperances for the Conference side last season. McNeil began his career at Stalybridge Celtic before moving on to Hyde United, Macclesfield Town and Stockport County.

McNeil tol the Chester Chronicle: “The move to Chester really suits me and I think my experience can really bring something to the table this season.”

“I had interest from a few other clubs before settling on Chester and had some offers to stay in the Blue Square Premier and some to drop down into the Blue Square North. Gary Jones (Chester’s assistant manager) was on a coaching course with me and he said that the club were interested, so I came down and had a look around, which I did with all the clubs that were interested in signing me.”

“The ambition to succeed and what Gary and Neil are trying to achieve at Chester convinced me that it was the right choice.”

• Transfer activity

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