News from Deva Stadium May 2016

31 May 2016
CHAPELL SIGNS ONE YEAR DEAL
Jordan Chapell has agreed a new one year deal at Chester. The winger signed from Torquay United last summer made 33+8 appearances for the Blues, scoring five goals last season.

25 May 2016
NEW DEAL FOR ALIBI
Striker James Alibi has signed a new one year deal at Chester and will wear the number 9 shirt next season. The 21-year-old joined Chester in January on a short-tern deal from Ipswich Town and scored 6 goals in 13+3 appearances including the equalising goal at Kidderminster Harriers that won him the Goal of the Season vote at the end of season awards night. He also netted four times in the 8-2 rout of Aldershot Town.

Both Kane Richards and Luke George agreed new deals last week taking the total of contracted players on board for next season to ten.

ON THE BORDERLINE
The 2015/16 statistics update pages for On The Borderline can be downloaded from here.

17 May 2016
HANNAH LEAVES CHESTER

Last season’s leading scorer with 26 goals Ross Hannah has turned down a new offer at Chester and signed a two year full-time deal at Conference rivals Barrow. Hannah, voted Player of the Year had begun new contract talks with the Blues in January but the departure of manager Steve Burr held up progress.

The 30-year-old striker told the Chester Chronicle: "I can assure everyone that it wasn't an easy decision. I've been fortunate enough to play for some good clubs and leaving Grimsby and coming to Chester was fantastic for me. I fully appreciate everything the club did for me and my family were always very well looked after which is massive for me and it wasn’t easy to leave that because I was settled.”

“It has been a great season for me personally and I think I did what I was brought to the club to do and that was score goals.”

“In the end those goals have probably helped keep the club in the division rather than push on for the play-offs which was the aim but I feel like I’ve done my job.”

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

TROPHY DOUBLE FOR YOUTH TEAM
The Youth Team clinched the NWYA Open Cup after a 4-1 victory over Ashton Athletic on Sunday. The victory came just days after they clinched the NWYA Premier League title. Chester fell behind to Ashton but two goals each from Matty Waters and Oliver Nugent ensured the silverware came to Chester. The young side almost completed a hat-trick of trophies but were recently beaten 3-1 by AFC Fylde in the NWYA Premier Division Cup final.

12 May 2016
NEW DEAL FOR ASTLES
Defender Ryan Astles has signed a new one year contract with the Blues. The 22-year-old signed from Northwich Victoria back in January and has impressed during his stay with Chester. Astles scored twice in 16 appearances last season.

SEASON TICKETS
The club have announced that Season Ticket prices have been frozen again for next season. From next week until 24th June, an Early Bird discount is the equivalent of six free games. Then, from Monday 27 June, season tickets will go on general sale – with the equivalent to four free games.

• Ticket Prices

10 May 2016
SHARPS NAMED ASSISTANT
The club have confirmed that 35-year-old Ian Sharps has been appointed assistant manager to Jon McCarthy.

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES
Chester have announced several pre-season friendlies for the summer. The club start against Cheshire League side Sandbach United on Saturday 9 July before traveling to play Altrincham, now managed by former manager Neil Young, on Saturday 16 July. Chester then travel to Marine on Saturday 23 July followed by a trip to Nantwich Town on 26 July.

7 May 2016
MACCA GETS THE JOB
Chester have appointed Jon McCarthy as their new manager on a one year contract. McCarthy and Ian Sharps took charge of team affairs after Steve Burr was sacked last month and won three our of the last four matches of the season to ensure the Blues staved off their relegation worries. The contract comes with the option of a one year extension. McCarthy is expected to name Ian Sharps as his assistant.

Other’s who were in the frame for the position were ex-player Paul Carden, ex-Eastleigh manager Richard Hill and former Everton and Newcastle United player Steve Watson.

McCarthy's first job will be to hold talks with the players who are now out of contract at the club including top scorer Ross Hannah and highly rated defender Ben Heneghan.

Chairman Simon Olorenshaw said: “Jon is absolutely the right man to lead us forward and we are delighted to have him at the helm, he has shown us not only what he can bring to the squad on the pitch and his tactical knowledge but also his passion for the club and understanding of its values on and off the pitch.”

2 May 2016
BLUES END SEASON IN STYLE
Chester ended a largely disappointing season in style with an entertaining 4-2 win over Gateshead, their third successive victory under caretaker manager's Jon McCarthy and Ian Sharps.

The Blues fell behind early in the second half but two goals in as many minutes from Kane Richards and Ryan Higgins turned things round. Top scorer Ross Hannah came off the bench and grabbed himself a brace to put Chester in complete control before the Heed grabbed a second four minutes from time.

A delighted McCarthy who is believed to be one of the four candidates shortlisted for the managerial vacancy said: "What I won't do now is put any pressure on the board. They gave me an opportunity, they have been great with me and supported me and Ian Sharps has, and the players most of all.

“I’ve been around the club for a while in a different capacity and it was just about changing the perception of me. People who know me know what I was like and there were a lot of fans who didn’t know who I was. I am grateful the fans have given me and chance and listened to what I have had to say and they’ve watched some of the shape and structure. I think people are looking at me for me now, and that’s all I wanted.”

“Now I’ll prepare hard. Nobody will beat me on the interview as I’ll prepare really hard on all the paperwork and my vision and philosophy for the club. I’ll get that right.”

Chester ended the season in 17th place with 54 points, six ahead of the final relegation place that went to FC Halifax Town on a dramatic last day that saw Guiseley pull out of the bottom four with a4-3 victory over Torquay United. Along with the Shaymen, Altrincham, Kidderminster Harriers and Welling United were also relegated. At the other end of the table the play-off semi-final's will be contested by Forest Green Rovers who play Dover Athletic and Braintree Town who will play Grimsby Town. The winners will join Cheltenham Town in League Two next season.

Coming down from that division are York City and Dagenham & Redbrdge whilst Solihull Moors and Sutton United are promoted from the Conference North and South respectively.

• Final League Table

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