29 March 2002
ANDY PORTER
Midfielder Andy Porter has
joined Cheshire neighbours Northwich Victoria, initially
for a loan period, according to soccerbase.com.
MORE BOARD RESIGNATIONS?
Chairman Steve Vaughan has
hinted that two more directors at the club are about
to resign. The two, as yet unknown, are expected to follow
other directors Alan Case and Sheelagh and Michael Horne
out of the boardroom in the next few days. It is believed
that Vaughan's public announcement of the club currently
being insolvent is the reason and all seem to have left
on good terms.
28 March 2002
TOUGH EASTER FOR CITY
Chester face two tough games over the
Easter period as they continue their efforts to pull away from
the relegation drop zone.
On Saturday the Blues travel to Doncaster Rovers and manager Mark Wright
must wait on the fitness of midfield playmaker Shaun Carey (groin) and
striker Chris Tate (knee) after both players sustained their injuries during
Tuesday night's match at Hereford Untied.
On Monday Chester entertain promotion hopefuls Yeovil Town at the Deva.
Yeovil have the best away record in the Conference (just ahead of City's)
and will be smarting following their home 1-0 defeat to Boston United on
Tuesday. Both games kick-off at 15:00hrs.
In between, on Sunday, the Chester City Ladies have a Northern Combination
home game to Chester-le-Street at the County Officers, Upton, kick-off
14:00hrs.
27 March 2002
NEW BOOK NOW OUT
![[Book Cover]](new_book_100px.gif) |
The new book 'Images of Sport Chester
City FC' by club historian Chas Sumner has now been published.
From tomorrow it is hoped to have the book on
sale at the following outlets:
Bookland, Bridge Street, Chester
Club Shop, Deva Stadium
Tourist Information Centre, Town Hall Square, Chester
WH Smith, Foregate Street, Chester
WH Smith, Witton Street, Northwich
Tesco, Broughton Shopping Park, Chester
Waterstones, Bridge Street Row, Chester
Borders Bookshop, Cheshire Oaks, Ellesmere Port
Sportspages, Caxton Walk, 94-96 Charing Cross Road,
London
Additionally the book will be available online
at Amazon and Sportspages (use
'chas sumner' as the search criteria)
|
Chas will be signing copies of the book in Bookland
on Saturday 13 April between 12:00 and 13:00hrs. It is hoped that club
record goalscorer Stuart Rimmer will be present along with Iain Jenkins.
There will also be a signing session in the club shop at the Deva later
prior to the match against Dover Athletic.'Images
of Sport Chester City FC' is priced at £10.99.
26 March 2002
PEACOCK TRIBUNAL
After giving seven days notice to
Stalybridge Celtic regarding their intent Chester signed midfielder
Richard Peacock on Friday. Peacock made his Blues debut at Boston
and keeps his place for the visit to Hereford United tonight.
However Stalybridge are demanding a transfer fee for the player
who was on non-contract terms at Bower Fold and the matter has
gone to a Conference tribunal to be held in Wilmslow today with
club secretary Michael Beech attending. Stalybridge are
claiming a transfer fee for Richard which seems a bit silly,
as he is a non-contract player, and we gave the club the required
seven days notice of our interest, said manager Mark Wright.
RESIGNATIONS
Directors Sheelagh Horne, Michael
Horne and Alan Case are reported to have all resigned from the
board of directors at the Deva Stadium. No reasons have yet been
given.
25 March 2002
HEREFORD NEXT UP
Chester travel to Hereford United tomorrow
night looking for their eighth Conference away victory of the season
following Saturday's win at Boston. City now occupy 17th place
with 41 points from 34 games, eight points clear of the drop zone.
With five defeats in the last eight Hereford's fortunes have taken
a dip recently and they currently lie just one point ahead of the
Blues.
22 March 2002
TEAM NEWS
City face a tough task tomorrow as they
visit York Street home of Conference leaders Boston United. Manager
Mark Wright is expected to welcomes back Mark Williams and Shaun
Carey to the side that lost at Burton, and also hopes to have Stalybridge
midfielder Richard Peacock in the squad. Peacock is still negotiating
a deal to join City. The Blues probably still need another six
or seven points to maintain their Conference place next season
and still have to play the top three sides (Boston, Yeovil and
Dagenham) in their nine match run-in. Boston have doubts over Mark
Monington and Ross Weatherstone and will be expecting another bumper
crowd. On Wednesday 4,500 passed through the turnstiles for the
4-1 home victory over Nuneaton Borough. The crowd were admitted
free of charge then following the original fixture being abandoned.
TRUST BUY SHARES
City chairman Steven Vaughan has agreed
to sell 7% of his shareholding in the club to the Chester City
Supporters Trust. The Trust will be represented on the board of
directors by Richard Lynes.
21 March 2002
FOURTH CAP FOR WAYNE BROWN
City
goalkeeper Wayne Brown received his fourth cap for the England
semi-professional side (or National Game X1 as they are now called)
last night at Stevenage Borough. Brown played for the first 62
minutes before being replaced (unscathed) by Scarborough's Andy
Woods.
England came from behind to beat the USA 2-1 with a goal by Yeovil Town's
Nick Crittenden and a late penalty from Doncaster's Tim Ryan. In truth
Wayne didn't have a great deal to do against a well organised USA side.
He made one great save from close range to deny Mark Shulte and had little
chance with the goal, a powerful header into the top corner that eluded
the defender on the post.
England play their second full international
of the season on 24 April at Huish Park, the home of Yeovil Town
when they entertain The Netherlands.
England: Brown (Woods 62), Travis, Tonkin,
Skiverton, Goodliffe, Ryan, Drummond (Watson 54), Stimson, Jackson,
Braithwaite (Moore 85), Roddis (Crittenden 66).
HEREFORD UNITED COACH
Supporters wanting to secure their seat
on the club’s official supporters club coach to Hereford United
next Tuesday should phone Barrie Hipkiss on (01244) 379011 between
18:00hrs and 20:00hrs before Sunday night's deadline. Places will
cost £10 and the coach leaves Delamere Street on Tuesday
at 16:30hrs.
20 March 2002
NEW SIGNING?
Chester are expected to hold talks today with
Stalybridge Celtic midfielder Richard Peacock. Manager Mark Wright said: “I’m
having talks with Richard Peacock. I know what he can do and who he is.
He is a very useful winger, and he’ll be a bonus for us. I’d like to get
him at Chester as soon as possible.” The club have also announced that
Michael McElhatton has been re-signed for another one month loan period
from Rushden & Diamonds. However Diamonds have a 24hr recall on the
player.
ENGLAND CALLING
Wayne Brown is expected to get his fourth
England semi-pro cap tonight when the host team take on the USA
at Stevenage, kick-off 19:30hrs. Manager Mark Wright isn't happy
about the call-up though as City are deep in a relegation battle
and an injury to Brown, at this late stage of the season, could
have disastrous consequences.
Wright said: “Wayne Brown’s selection is wrong as far as Chester City are
concerned. Words can’t really express how disappointed I am that one of
our players has been called up for a meaningless game. Wayne is paid by
Chester City Football Club, not by England. I tried to get him withdrawn
because if he gets injured we’re in lumber. Chester are still fighting
off the threat of relegation, so playing a game like this at this stage
of the season is wrong as far as the club is concerned. We should have
our better players around us at all times – this game means nothing to
anyone and I feel let down.”
18 March 2002
DEFEAT FOR CITY
Two goals in as many minutes midway through the
second half brought a quarter-final trophy defeat for City in front of
a bumper crowd at Burton
Albion. An even first half saw The Brewers have a goal disallowed for
offside and both Gary Brabin and Paul Carden go close for City. Mark Beesley
hit a post and saw his rebound saved minutes before the home sides double
strike after the break. City, who were unable to raise their game following
the goals were kept in their dressing room by manager Mark Wright long
after the match. Wright's side can concentrate on keeping their place in
the Conference now. Saturday's 3-1 win for Woking over Doncaster Rovers
has closed The Cards' gap behind Chester to one point with a game in hand.
BOSTON UNITED COACH
Supporters wanting to secure their seat on the club’s
official supporters club coach to Boston United on Saturday should phone
Barrie Hipkiss on (01244) 379011 between 18:00hrs and 20:00hrs. Places
will cost £11 and the coach leaves Delamere Street at 10:00hrs.
ROGERS ARRESTED
The chairman of the ISA George Rogers was arrested
on Saturday after a fight broke out in the Chester crowd towards the end
of the match. Rogers and another as yet unnamed man, were taken by officers
to Staffordshire Police Station shortly after the incident. Staffordshire
Police press officer Alison Hughes said: “There was an altercation and
a 38-year-old man was ejected and arrested by police outside. As a result
of the fracas, a man from Chester suffered facial grazing and a cut to
his nose and was attended to inside the ground. Both men involved in the
incident were questioned and the 38-year-old man made counter allegations.
Both have been given police bail.”
ISA Committee Statement
Many members may be aware of a regrettable altercation which involved George
Rogers near the end of the game at Burton Albion and which has been reported
in the local and national press. At an ISA committee meeting on 23 March,
George offered to stand down as Chairman as a result of the incident. The
ISA Committee fully accepted George's description of events and unanimously
rejected his offer of resignation. We do not intend to make any further
comment other than to express our recognition of the work put in by George
for the ISA and Chester City Football club over the past four years.
Les Smith (on behalf of the ISA Committee).
15 March 2002
JUST ANOTHER GAME
Around
500 Chester fans are expected to make the trip to Burton-upon-Trent tomorrow
for City's FA Umbro quarter-final tie. Two official supporters' coaches
are heading for Staffordshire as City aim to reach the semi-finals of the
competition for the second year running. Defender Mark Williams and midfielder
Shaun Carey are unavailable for selection so manager Mark Wright will have
to shuffle the team that won in style 4-0 at Stalybridge Celtic last Saturday.
Burton are expecting a near capacity crowd at their Eaton Road ground.
Wright has made no secret of the fact that Conference survival is his only
target at the moment. Wright said: “I’m treating the tie as another game,
and I’ve not changed my opinion about our priority. I just hope none of
our players receive silly sending's off or bookings, and that none of my
players pick up any injuries. We’ve just got to keep doing the things that
we’ve been doing since I’ve been here. We’ve got into a good habit of winning,
and I hope that continues. Staying in the Conference this season is my
main aim, but I know the fans and our chairman are looking forward to tomorrow’s
match. I’d enjoy the FA Trophy tie more if I knew our league position was
safe, but I know that’s not the case.”
TRUST TO LAUNCH MESSAGE SERVICE
The Chester City Supporters Trust have announced
that they are launching an SMS message service to mobile phones next week,
news reports and goal flashes will be available from their website as will
Chester City logos and ring tones for downloading. They've also announced
they they will be broadcasting City matches on the internet soon. Details
of costs have yet to be announced.
We will be opening an e-commerce facility for purchase of shop items and
providing live broadcasts of all Chester's games over the Internet, and the Trust
are currently trialing a unique online system that will make Chester City the
first football club to invite fans into a virtual boardroom. All these ventures
will open up entirely new revenue streams for the club, said Supporters
Trust chairman Graham Ross.
14 March 2002
RESERVES WIN
Goals from a trialist Steve Guinan and David Brown
gave City Reserves a 2-1 victory at home to Ossett Town Reserves at the
Deva Stadium last night to take the Blues to the top of the Division.
According to soccerbase.com Birmingham-born
Guinan's currently registered at Plymouth Argyle and his previous clubs
include: Cambridge United, Scunthorpe United, Halifax Town, Crewe Alexandra,
Burnley, Darlington, and Nottingham Forest.
LANCASHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION ONE |
As at 14 March 2002 |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
Chester City Reserves |
25 |
18 |
4 |
3 |
81 |
24 |
57 |
58 |
Morecambe Reserves |
23 |
17 |
4 |
2 |
101 |
24 |
77 |
55 |
Marine Reserves |
24 |
11 |
6 |
7 |
51 |
41 |
10 |
39 |
Burscough Reserves |
23 |
11 |
5 |
7 |
41 |
33 |
8 |
38 |
Southport Reserves |
19 |
11 |
1 |
7 |
52 |
26 |
26 |
34 |
Accrington Stanley Reserves |
22 |
11 |
1 |
12 |
47 |
34 |
13 |
34 |
Guiseley Reserves |
17 |
11 |
1 |
5 |
39 |
31 |
8 |
34 |
Ossett Town Reserves |
18 |
11 |
1 |
6 |
29 |
33 |
-4 |
34 |
Lancaster City Reserves |
22 |
9 |
4 |
9 |
32 |
39 |
-7 |
31 |
Rossendale United Reserves |
19 |
8 |
6 |
5 |
37 |
34 |
3 |
30 |
Ashton United Reserves |
23 |
8 |
1 |
14 |
38 |
49 |
-11 |
25 |
Northwich Victoria Reserves |
20 |
7 |
2 |
11 |
36 |
52 |
-16 |
23 |
Barrow Reserves |
18 |
6 |
0 |
12 |
43 |
53 |
-10 |
18 |
Leigh RMI Reserves |
19 |
5 |
3 |
11 |
30 |
26 |
-26 |
18 |
Altrincham Reserves |
20 |
4 |
5 |
11 |
22 |
44 |
-22 |
17 |
Bamber Bridge Reserves |
22 |
3 |
2 |
17 |
30 |
91 |
-61 |
11 |
Colwyn Bay Reserves |
18 |
1 |
2 |
15 |
16 |
61 |
-45 |
6 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
ALEX HIGGINS
Stalybridge Celtic have signed former City player
Alex Higgins. Higgins made just one first team appearance for the Blues
as a substitute and had his contract cancelled a few weeks ago.
13 March 2002
BURTON SUPPORTERS COACH
City fans have their last chance to book a seat
on a Chester Supporters’ Club bus tonight for Saturday’s FA Umbro Trophy
tie at Burton Albion. Anyone wanting to secure a seat should contact Barrie
Hipkiss on (01244) 379011 between 18:00hrs and 20:00hrs tonight. Seats
will cost £8 and the bus will leave Delamere Street at 11.30hrs.
RESERVES AIM TO GO TOP
Chester City reserves are at home to Ossett Town
reserves at the Deva Stadium tonight, kick-off 19:45hrs, aiming for a victory
that will take them clear at the top of the Lancashire League. First team
players including Jimmy Haarhoff, Dean Spink, David Brown and Paul Carden,
are all expected to be involved in the match.
12 March 2002
CUP-TIED
Central defender Mark Williams and midfield player
Sean Carey are both ineligible to play for City in Saturday's FA Umbro
Trophy quarter-final at Burton Albion on Saturday, while loan players Michael
McElhatton and Chris Tate will need permission from their clubs (Rushden & Diamonds
and Leyton Orient respectively) to play. The Brewers have only lost two
matches all season in the UniBond Premier League and with City currently
on an unbeaten run in both Conference and Trophy of 12 games Saturday's
tie looks like being a cracker. Burton Albion's official website states
that due to Wayne Brown's international call-up, any replay necessary will
now take place at the Deva on Tuesday 26 March, kick-off 19:45hrs.
CITY INTERESTED IN MIDFIELDER
It's reported in the press that Chester are looking
at 29-year-old Stalybridge Celtic midfielder Richard Peacock. Peacock has
played in the football league with Hull City, Lincoln City and Sheffield
United. The player, who is on non-contract terms with Stalybridge Celtic,
made 242 football league appearances, scoring 27 goals. Chester have given
Stalybridge seven days notice that they wish to approach the player.
BURTON SEAT TICKETS
Fifty stand tickets for Chester’s FA Umbro Trophy
quarter-final tie on Saturday at Burton Albion will go on sale to City
season ticket holders at the Deva Stadium from 13:00hrs tomorrow (Wed).
And any unsold tickets will remain on sale from 18:00hrs at the club. With
a large number of Chester City supporters expected at the game we will
have all of the Gordon Bray terrace (covered end behind a goal) for Saturday's
tie.
COMPREHENSIVE WIN FOR CITY
Chester turned on a stylish second-half performance
on Saturday to beat Stalybridge Celtic 4-0 at Bower Fold. Around 400 appreciative
Blues fans made he journey across Cheshire and backed the team throughout
in a game City needed to win to continue their slow pull clear of the relegation
zone. Four quality goals from Mark Beesley, Chris Tate (his first for the
club) and two quality strikes by Michael McElhatton (also opening his City
account) gave the Blues a comfortable victory after a fairly even opening
45 minutes.
A delighted City manager Mark Wright said: We
are a confident side Scarborough and Leigh came and did a job
in our last two games. I was very impressed with our support at Stalybridge,
and that's what we want to try and generate at home. If we get that kind
of support at home for the boys then they'll get better and better. To
a man, when we went in at half-time, we all knew we were up without playing
really well we knew we could play a lot better. And in the second
half the boys went out and played the way they knew they could.
City did pick up four bookings though, those of
Phil Bolland, Gary Brabin, Michael Rose and Mark Williams.
8 March 2002
CALL UP FOR WAYNE
Congratulations
to City goalkeeper Wayne Brown who has been called up for the England
semi-professional squad who play the United States of America at
Stevenage Borough on Wednesday 20 March. If picked it will be Brown's
fourth cap for his country. A delighted Wayne said: “I thought
I might have a chance of an England call up after the way Chester
have been playing lately, but there was absolutely no chance of
news like this around Christmas time. The defence at Chester have
had a lot to do with our clean sheets, but I’d like to think I’ve
played my part too we’ve looked solid at the back. The manager,
Mark Wright, said he was happy for me after hearing news of my
call up, and he’s helped me a lot since he was appointed at Chester.”
Meanwhile City appear to have no injury worries ahead of tomorrow's important
clash with Stalybridge Celtic at Bower Fold. Celtic, manager by former
Chester player Paul Futcher have to former City favourites in their ranks
in Mattie Woods and Paul Beesley. They lie two places and two points behind
City but also have two games in hand. Back in September the teams fought
out a goalless draw at the Deva though Celtic returned two months later
to win a Cheshire Senior Cup match 2-1.
TOP CITY KEEPERS
Wayne Brown's recent run of five blank sheets
prompted club historian Chas Sumner look back to find the record
length of time that Chester had played without conceding a goal.
Check the history pages here for
a list of the Top 10 City keepers.
7 March 2002
CHESTER LADIES
Tonight Chester City Ladies FC will be entertaining
a touring team from Grenville College, Ontario in Canada. The school is
close to the St. Lawrence River in a town called Brockville and is a preparatory
christian school where older kids are readied for entry to University.
The match is being played at the Deva Stadium and the kick-off time is
19:00hrs. Entry is by programme at a cost of £1. Ange & Mickey Clifford
from the ISA are organising a buffet and the club will be open from 21:00-23:00hrs.
The Grenville College team are managed by Steve Pulford. Originally from
the Chester area before emigrating, Steve still has a soft spot for Chester
after following the Blues in the David Durie, Micky Metcalfe era and
the match was set up after Steve enquired about the possibility to this
website back in November.
4 March 2002
CITY TO SIGN TWO?
Chester
City are expected to sign 24-year-old central defender Phil Bolland (left)
today from Oxford United for a fee believed to be in the region of £15,000.
Bolland has impressed on his month's loan at the Deva, and has performed
consistently well in City's back line, he's also scored two goals.
Meanwhile manager Mark Wright has also hinted that his search for a much
needed striker may be completed before Tuesday's home clash with another
of Chester's relegation rivals Scarborough. The striker in question is
Leyton Orient's Chris Tate. Chris is hopefully the final piece in
the jigsaw that Mark Wright has been creating. We expect to have Chris
in our side for the game against Scarborough tomorrow, said chairman
Steve Vaughan. I've spoken to Orient chairman Barry Hearn and he
is agreeable, so everything appears to be in place.
If the Bolland deal goes through it frees up a loan position at the club
which Tate would fill. Although other results went City's way on Saturday,
they could only manage a point from the home match with Leigh RMI which
extends the Blues' unbeaten run to ten matches. City face Scarborough and
Stalybridge Celtic this week in two crunch matches.
WRIGHT BLASTS BOO BOYS
City manager Mark Wright has criticised the supporters
who shouted abuse at striker Chris Malkin at Saturday's match: “Chris Malkin
is part of this club and will remain so until something happens, and so
to abuse someone is not going to enhance or help our cause, and I don't
understand the mentality of some of those people. He nearly scored a winner,
and if he'd scored the winner they'd have been singing his name, and then
all of a sudden they're having a go at him. I don't care what really went
on beforehand, I don't care what he's done in the past. The bottom line
is that he’s out there for us, he’s working hard, wanting to do it, and
fully committed to Chester City, doing a great job for us on the physio
side as well with Joe Hinnigan, and I'm disappointed with what's going
on there. We're in a dogfight and we need every man, and to take someone's
confidence away, or have a go at him is not right.
Striker
Malkin said: “When I played for Tranmere I gave my best for Tranmere, but
now I play for Chester City and I'm giving my best for Chester City. And
the next time the gaffer asks me to go on I'll give my best again, and
if the supporters give me the same reaction it's down to them, because
I can only give my best. I was linked with the whole Gordon Hill regime,
and the Tranmere thing with Steve Mungall, but I've signed a contract and
I just want to do well for Chester. I don't think I'm in Chester's long
term plans as their big striker, but they're down in the dogfight and every
point is needed.
I'm a battling sort of player, and I will give my all. I might not have
the most skill, but I'll always give my best, and I don't think they can
accuse me of not giving my best. I still think I've got a lot to offer
and the managers who have been here have chosen me in their teams because
they think I've got something to offer. Other teams in this league would
probably be pleased to have me. I didn't get any stick at Telford, or other
clubs I've been at. Whether it's a Tranmere thing, or something to do with
the start of the season I don’t know.”
1 March 2002
NEW BOOK OUT SOON
The
eagerly anticipated new book featuring archive photographs of Chester City
Football Club by club historian Chas Sumner is due to be released towards
the end of March.
The 128 page book contains over 220 images illustrating
the history of Chester City, a club that has suffered more than its fair
share of misfortune in the last few years. Team groups, player portraits,
action shots, programme covers and other club memorabilia are all included
in this pictorial collection, which covers the story of City from their
early years to the present day. Chester Football Club was formed in 1885
(the name Chester City was adopted in 1983) as an amalgamation of Chester
Rovers and Old King's Scholars, and this book traces the progress of
the club from its pre-League days, through its sixty-nine years of Football
League membership, to the disastrous day when the club were relegated
out of the League, in May 2000.
Some memorable cup matches are recalled, including
photographs of the 1952 FA Cup encounter with Chelsea, and the incredible
League Cup campaign of 1974/75, when Fourth Division Chester reached
the semi-finals, defeating the First Division Champions, Leeds United,
on the way. Promotion and relegation seasons are all remembered in a
selection of fascinating pictures, and many memories will be jogged by
photographs of the sorely missed Sealand Road ground, as well as the
1964/65 team that scored 119 League goals and gave Manchester United
an FA Cup fright at Old Trafford.
The compilation contains superb pictures of many famous
former Chester players, including Stan Pearson, Ron Davies, Ian Rush
and Lee Dixon, as well as lesser-known stalwarts who served the club
with distinction, such as Ray Gill, Gary Talbot, Grenville Millington
and Stuart Rimmer.
Compiled by Chas Sumner, a supporter of more than thirty
years, this book is certain to revive memories for Chester supporters
both past and present.
Published by Tempus
Publishing as part of their 'Images of Sport' series the book is
priced at £10.99
ISBN: 0 7524 2420 3
BIG MATCH FOR CITY
Manager Mark Wright welcomes back Michael McElhatton,
Shaun Carey and Mark Williams to tomorrow's squad that face fellow Conference
strugglers Leigh RMI at the Deva Stadium. All three were cup-tied for last
Saturday's trophy victory over Hereford United. Midfielder Andy Porter
is also back in contention after serving a two match suspension but defender
Mike Rose is serving the second game of his two match ban. Manager Wright
checked out tomorrow's opposition in midweek and said: “I went along to
watch Leigh play Stalybridge in the week and I thought they deserved their
1-0 win. Leigh are strong, quick and organised and they get on with the
job of playing football. We can expect a tough game. But we’re getting
stronger and more positive and we must build on that.”
PAUL BERRY
City forward Paul Berry has left the
club and signed for Leek Town today after completing a month's
loan at Rhyl.
REARRANGED MATCH
Chester's home fixture with Farnborough Town,
postponed due to FA Trophy commitments on 16 March, will now take place
at the Deva Stadium a month later on Tuesday 16 April, kick-off 19:45hrs.
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