November 2005 News

30 November 2005
CURLE LINKED TO POMPEY ROLE

There is speculation that City manager Keith Curle will be approached to be assistant manager to Neil Warnock should the Sheffield United manager take over at Portsmouth. The Blades have now given Pompey permission to talk to Warnock, who is favourite to take over the hot seat at Fratton Park following the dismissal of Alain Perrin.

Chester chairman Stephen Vaughan said this evening: “It is our understanding that if Neil Warnock gets the job, Keith will go as his assistant. We have a decent working relationship and I won’t stand in his way. We can’t compete with the wages or level of football they would be offering.”

Earlier this morning manager Curle commented: “It’s more than flattering to be linked with Neil Warnock and working with him at Portsmouth but I haven’t been approached by Neil and Chester City Football Club haven’t had any approach. That’s it.”

Picture © Evening Leader

RESERVES LOSE
City’s reserves lost 2-0 at home to Shrewsbury Town at Deva Stadium tonight.

HALF PRICE SEASON TICKETS
The club are selling a limited number of half-season tickets from 5 December. The prices are:
East and West Stands are: £150 (adults); £100 (concessions); £60 (under 16s).
North Terrace tickets are priced at: £130 (adults); £80 (concessions); £50 (under 16s).

29 November 2005
BRANCH DOUBT FOR SATURDAY

Michael Branch looks set to miss Saturday’s eagerly awaited FA Cup encounter with Nottingham Forest. The striker limped off on Saturday after picking up a knee injury minutes after City had taken a three goal lead over Peterborough. Branch will see a specialist this week before a final decision is made but it looks likely he’ll miss out on the big match.

Manager Keith Curle told the Evening Leader: “Branchy is likely to miss Saturday’s match but we are advising him to see a specialist because we don’t know the extent of his knee damage. He impressed me with his performance against Peterborough at the weekend and, without a shadow of a doubt I think we’ll really miss him against Nottingham Forest.

Picture © Evening Leader

27 November 2005
POSH DOUBLE FOR CITY

Chester completed the double over Peterborough United and as a result moved up to fifth in League Two. A penalty won and converted by Michael Branch was the difference between the sides at the break but a close range effort from Stewart Drummond, and a superb 25 yard volley from Ryan Lowe, wrapped up the points before substitute Ryan Semple pulled back a consolation goal for the visitors. City also gave a League debut for Paul Rutherford who replaced Branch for the final 17 minutes and looked lively up front

Following the match manager Keith Curle declined to shake hands with his opposite number Mark Wright. Curle said: “People who disrespect me or my players in public don’t get my acknowledgement – end of story.”

Wright said: “All in all we didn’t deserve anything today and we are very disappointed with two of the three goals. Despite all of this, I’m not taking anything away from Chester who as I said deserved the win.”

Picture � Evening Leader

• League Two table

YOUTH TEAM BEAT WREXHAM
Two goals from Chris Holroyd and a third from Wayne Morgan gave the youth team a 3-0 victory over rivals Wrexham on Saturday morning in the Youth Alliance League.

• Youth fixtures | Youth stats | Youth table

25 November 2005
FORMER TRIO RETURN TO THE DEVA

City will be without four players tomorrow as Mark Wright brings his Peterborough United side to Deva Stadium. Phil Bolland and Tom Curtis are both suspended while Sean Hessey and Gregg Blundell are once again sidelined through injury.

It will be Wright’s first return to the club since his controversial exit on the eve of last season. Wright will be joined tomorrow by two other familiar ex-City faces, his assistant Steve Bleasdale and former captain Paul Carden.

The teams last met on the opening day of the season at London Road where a late Stewart Drummond strike brought City three points.

Posh currently lie just above half-way in League Two, three points behing City, and have lost only one of their last ten matches, that was the surprise FA Cup replay defeat at Burton Albion. Their away record is also pretty good with four wins and three draws in ten matches. Tomorrow they will be without Lee Thorpe whose loan spell from Swansea City has ended, and Sagi Burton who is suspended.

• Opening day victory at Peterborough

FOREST TICKETS ON GENERAL SALE
Tickets for the forthcoming FA Cup clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday 3 December go on general sale today at normal matchday prices. The ticket office will be open from 11:00-17:00hrs. Any unsold tickets will then go on sale after tomorrow’s match against Peterborough United. There is no limit on the number of tickets that can be purchased.

23 November 2005
YOUTH TEAM PROGRESS

Congratulations to the youth team who won 1-0 in the second round of the FA Youth Cup at Cheshire neighbours Stockport County last night. Wayne Morgan scored the all important winner on 59 minutes at Edgeley Park.

The team have been rewarded with a third round home tie against Wigan Athletic which must be played on or before Saturday 17 December. The last time the club reached this stage of the competition was back in 1999/2000.

DUO SUSPENDED
Phil Bolland and Tom Curtis will be suspended for Saturday’s home clash against Mark Wright’s Peterborough United. Both have picked up five bookings and receive a one match ban.

Also out is Gregg Blundell who has been told he will have to sit out another two weeks on the sidelines in an effort to prevent him rupturing his haematoma.

Meanwhile manager Keith Curle is attempting to bring in a midfielder on loan ahead of the weekend clash. Tomorrow is the deadline for loan signings and Curle told the Evening Leader: “I�ve been in touch with a number of clubs and I can confirm I have been looking to sign a midfielder, but I�m not prepared to reveal the name of the player at this stage. One thing I won�t do is just sign players to fill my changing room. I only want to bring in people who can improve or bring a different dimension to my side. �I can�t afford to carry people or just fill up the changing room with extra bodies.”

CUP TICKETS ON SALE

Tickets for the forthcoming FA Cup clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday 3 December go on sale to season Ticket holders today from 12:00-19:00hrs, Voucher B must be exchanged for them.

Tickets will then go on general sale on Thursday, at normal matchday prices, from 11:00-19:00hrs, and again on Friday from 11:00-17:00hrs.

Any unsold tickets will also be on sale following the match with Peterborough United on Saturday. There is no restriction on the number of tickets you can buy.

21 November 2005
BROWN INJURY
Goalkeeper Wayne Brown who is on a season-long loan at Hereford United will be out of action for some time after breaking his wrist in training.

20 November 2005
BLUES LET TWO-GOAL LEAD SLIP

City came away with a point from fellow promotion chasers Rochdale on Saturday but will be disappointed not to have closed the game off after taking a two-goal lead just after the hour mark. Phil Bolland, earning a recall to the side at the expense of Luke Dimech, side-footed City into the lead on 19 minutes and industrious midfielder Ben Davies volleyed the Blues two up on 62 minutes. However the home side struck back with 20 minutes remaining as Blair Sturrock chested the ball home unmarked and eight minutes from time substitute Nicky Lambert drilled a free-kick under the City wall for the equaliser.

Manager Keith Curle reflected after the match: “We have snatched a draw from the jaws of victory. At 2-0 up you have to do the horrible things in the game. You don’t need to entertain the travelling fans anymore. They are quite happy to see you kill the game off.”

City remain sixth in League Two, seven points behind leaders Wycombe Wanderers who extended their lead at the top with a home win over Grimsby Town to continue their remarkable unbeaten start to the season.

• League Two table

18 November 2005
YOUTH TEAM MATCH OFF
Tonight’s Youth Alliance Cup third round match against Burnley has been postponed due to a frozen pitch at Airbus UK. No new date has yet been arranged.

ROCHDALE NEXT UP
City travel the short distance to Spotland tomorrow to play Steve Parkin’s fourth placed Rochdale. The sides met last month at Deva Stadium when the Lancashire side won by the odd goal in five in a pulsating Friday night clash. Dale have won five and lost three of their nine home matches this season and sit just three points above the Blues in League Two. They are expected to have top scorer Grant Holt fit after a neck injury in their 2-1 win at Bristol Rovers last Saturday.

17 November 2005
RESERVE DEFEAT
The reserves lost 3-1 to Rochdale in their latest Pontins Holiday League match at Deva Stadium last night. Justin Walker scored the consolation goal for the Blues who remain bottom of the league.

15 November 2005
RESERVE SWITCH
The Pontins Holiday League reserve game against Rochdale tomorrow with now kick-off at 19:00hrs at Deva Stadium. Admission is £3.00 (adults) £1.00 (under 16).

14 November 2005
CITY PLAY FOREST
Nottingham Forest will visit Deva Stadium in the second round of the FA Cup, the match on Saturday 3 December will be all-ticket. The League One side won their replay against Conference South club Weymouth 2-0 at the Wessex Stadium tonight. Forest have won the FA Cup on two occasions in 1898 and 1959, and were runners-up in 1991, it will be their first visit to Deva Stadium.

The Blues have met Nottingham Forest once before in the FA Cup back in 1935 at the third round stage, when Forest ran out 4-0 winners at Sealand Road in front of 13,127 spectators.

Click for larger picture.

BLUES RUE MISSED CHANCES

The defences were on top as Chester fought out a goalless draw with Northampton Town at Deva Stadium on Saturday. The Blues missed several chances in the first half, notably to Ryan Lowe and Marcus Richardson as they looked on top at the break. The visitors saw more of the game after the interval and Chris MacKenzie saved well from a sharp Mendes effort.

Manager Keith Curle appeared satisfied with the performance, after the game he said: “It was always going to be a tight match. We knew in our preparations they would be extremely hard to break down. There are a number of positives we can take from the match. I thought most of the chances were created by us and I didn’t think we were really threatened. We knew that Northampton, who had reached the play-off’s for the last two seasons would be a handful. This is the start of an important little run of matches for us and this was a good performance that gives us a lot to work on.”

13 November 2005
FA CUP OPPONENTS
City will know their second round FA Cup opponents tomorrow night. Weymouth and Nottingham Forest replay after the first game was drawn 1-1 at the City Ground. The match at the Wessex Stadium is being screened live on SKY TV at 19:45hrs.

DRAW FOR YOUTH TEAM
Goals from Adam Wade and Paul Rutherford gave the youth team a 2-2 draw at home to Macclesfield Town in the Youth Alliance on Saturday morning.

The team are next in action on Friday night when they entertain Burnley in the third round of the Alliance Cup. Burnley currently top the League and are unbeaten this season, so the team would certainly appreciate some City support on the night. The match takes place at the Airbus UK ground with a 19:00hrs kick-off.

• Match report | Youth fixtures | Youth stats | Youth table

CHESTER CITY CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE RESULTS

City’s under 9, 10, 12, 14 and 16 squads travelled up to Bradford City on Sunday and returned with some good results. The under 9s having only lost once this season put in a solid performance with Jamie Hayes and Tom Brady getting the all important goals in a 2-2 draw.

Coach Danny Jones will be disappointed in the under 10s 5-1 defeat as the team desperately missed the normal keeper and had to put an outfield player in goal, Ryan Pimlett getting the consolation for the blues.

The under 11s picked themselves up after last weeks narrow 2-1 defeat at Wrexham with a gritty 2-1 home win against the Bantams, Mike Hulse and a full blooded strike from Taylor Sheehan giving the boys a deserved win.

Robbie Mills will be a happy man after super sub Jack Cartwright came on for City and grabbed two goals in a fine 5-4 win away with other strikes from Gino King, James Carey and Gareth Hewitt.

The under 13s played host to Bradford but found the going tough against a very large and physical side loosing out 5-2 with consolation strikes from Kai Morris and Gethin Maxwell.

New coach and ex-City first team player Sean Carey will be very happy with his new team as they took full control at home with a fine 5-2 win with strikes from Christian Platt (2), James Evans (1) and Louis Denham (2).

Both the under 15s and 16s visited Bradford and returned with 1-1 draws with goals from Lloyd Ellams and Danny Wilson.

11 November 2005
GETTING BACK ON TRACK

Colin Calderwood brings his eighth placed Northampton Town to Deva Stadium tomorrow for what promises to be a tight encounter, kick-off is at 15:00hrs. The Cobblers have won three and drawn four of their eight matches away from Sixfields this season, an away record similar to City’s, and are expected to have the backing of a large following.

The Blues will be hoping to get back to winning ways; they have suffered a dip in form recently that has seen only one League Two victory in six games, and once again will be without striker Gregg Blundell who is still carrying a thigh injury picked up on the training ground. There appear to be no other injury worries though for Keith Curle.

The two sides last met in April as City concluded a disappointing season with a 2-0 home defeat by Northampton.

• The last meeting

YOUTH TEAM AT HOME
The youth team entertain Macclesfield Town tomorrow morning in a Youth Alliance game at Airbus, kick-off 11:00hrs..

10 November 2005
EARLY WREXHAM KICK-OFF

City’s home game against Wrexham on 28 December will be a noon kick-off, despite this being the first normal working day after Christmas. The change has come about after consultation between the club, the Football League, the Safety Advisory Group and the local police, no doubt worried by potential public order disturbances.

The match will be all-ticket and details of the selling arrangements will be released soon. This controversial decision is bound to anger the vast majority of well-behaved fans from both clubs, many of whom will now not be able to get time off work to see their side, the precedent has also been set for this to possibly happen again.

8 November 2005
CUP WIN FOR YOUTH TEAM
Congratulations to the youth team who won 2-1 at Hartlepool United in the first round of the FA Youth Cup. Mark Cadwallader and Graham Mealand were on the scoresheet for the young Blues at Victoria Park. The boys must travel in round two as well, as they have been drawn to play at either Stockport County or Scunthrope United (who are due to play on 15 November). The tie must be played on or before 26 November.

6 November 2005
FA CUP SECOND ROUND DRAW

Following yesterday’s 2-1 FA Cup win over Folkestone Victoria, Chester will play at home to either Nottingham Forest or Weymouth in the second round, the tie was the last one to be drawn out. The match will take place over the weekend 2/4 December. Prize money from the FA for the second round winners is £24,000. If Nottingham Forest are the opponents then the game will be all-ticket.

The two sides drew 1-1 yesterday at the City ground, with ex-Chester player Andy Harris heading the equaliser for the Terras in front of almost 2,000 traveling fans after the Conference South side had fallen behind in the first half. Weymouth also have another ex-City player in their ranks, Lee Elam. The replay will take place at the Wessex Stadium on Tuesday 15 November and is screened live on SKY.

The Blues have met Nottingham Forest once before in the FA Cup back in 1935 at the third round stage, when Forest ran out 4-0 winners at Sealand Road in front of 13,127. City have met Weymouth on just one occasion before, that was an away pre-season friendly in July 1996 with Andy Milner scoring both goals in a 2-1 win.

Second round draw in full:
Walsall v Macclesfield Town or Yeovil Town
Southport or Woking v Northwich Victoria
Peterborough United or Burton Albion v Burscough
Aldershot Town v Bury or Scunthorpe United
Shrewsbury Town v Colchester United
Hartlepool United v Tamworth
Cheltenham Town v Eastborne Borough or Oxford United
Mansfield Town v Grays Athletic
Hereford United v Stockport County
Stevenage Borough v Northampton Town
Port Vale v Bristol Rovers
Swindon Town or Boston United v Doncaster Rovers
Halifax Town or Rushden & Diamonds v Leyton Orient or Chesterfield
Nuneaton Borough v Histon
Chasetown or Oldham Athletic v Brentford
Southend United v Lincoln City or MK Dons
Chippenham Town or Worcester City v Huddersfield Town
Torquay United or Harrogate Town v Notts County
Barnsley v Bradford City
Chester City v Nottingham Forest or Weymouth

After the draw City boss Keith Curle said. “Whoever we face it should prove to be a cracking cup tie, and the prize of a third round place for the winners against possibly a Premiership club is a great incentive. ”

ON THE BORDERLINE UPDATE PAGE
The 2004/05 Players Update page for On The Borderline has now been completed and can be downloaded from here.

EXILES PREDICTION COMPETITION
The first table from this season’s competition can be downloaded from here.

5 November 2005
CITY THROUGH TO ROUND TWO

Second half goals by Michael Branch from the penalty spot on 55 minutes, and a great strike by Ryan Lowe on 71 minutes, prevented City from making the cup headlines for all the wrong reasons as a Chris MacKenzie fumble had handed Folkestone Invicta a shock lead on 10 minutes. Manager Keith Curle, who watched the second half next to the chairman at the back of the stand, was full of praise for the part-time opposition following the game.

He said: “They came at us well early on, and full credit to them for that. It was a typical cup tie and, at times, was extremely ugly. I told the players at half time that the first half performance was unacceptable, and I wanted an improvement in the second period and we got it. Before I went out for the second half I had to tell the players that I was going to watch the rest of the match from the main stand because the first half looked horrible. The first thing I did when I sat by the chairman was ask him whether the first half had looked any different from the stand. He said it had better be a lot better in the second half. I thought Folkestone gave a great account of themselves. I hope they enjoyed their visit and I wish them well in their league.”

LIVE MATCH COVERAGE
For those who can’t get to today’s match, you can hear live internet coverage/updates on the BBC Radio Kent website here.

YOUTH TEAM MATCH OFF
This morning’s youth team match against Blackpool was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Airbus UK.

4 November 2005
DRUMMOND BACK FOR CITY?

FA Cup action comes to Deva Stadium tomorrow as Ryman Premier League side Folkestone Invicta arrive for a first round tie. Midfielder Stewart Drummond is expected to return following his three match suspension. Defender Carl Regan should be included in the squad but there is still a big doubt over striker Gregg Blundell who picked up an injury in training a week ago.

The visitors will be back by four coaches of fans making an early journey north. This is the furthest the Kent side have ever been in the FA Cup (although the town’s old club, Folkestone, reached this stage twice before folding in 1990) and will be a historic first match against a Football League side for them.

The winners of the match will pick up a handy £16,000 prize money. Should a replay be necessary it will take place at Cheriton Road on Monday 14 November, kick-off 19:45hrs.

The draw for the second round will take place at approximately 15:00hrs on Sunday following the BBC live televised match between Chasetown v Oldham Athletic. Either City of Folkestone Invicta (or both!) will be ball 18.

ENGLAND LOSE
Northern Ireland beat England 1-0 at Deva Stadium last night in the Victory Shield match. The match was played in difficult weather conditions and was watched by 1,109 spectators.

3 November 2005
INTERNATIONAL AT THE DEVA

Local football fans have a rare opportunity to see international action in Chester tonight as Deva Stadium hosts the England v Northern Ireland U16 Victory Shield match, kick-off 19:45hrs. Admission prices for this match are as follows: Adults £5.00, Children under 16 and OAP’s £1.00.

City chairman Steve Vaughan told the Daily Post: “It is a great honour for Chester City Football Club to be selected to stage this match, and is an indication of the high esteem that the Football Association appear to have for our facilities. My hope is that one day a youngster from Chester City will emerge from our ranks, and catch the eye of the international selection team.”

The results so far in the Home International tournament have been:
Northern Ireland 1 Scotland 1 (at Ballymena)
England 4 Wales 0 (at Telford)
Wales 1 Scotland 0 (at Rhyl)

RESERVES DEFEAT AT CARLISLE
The reserves remain bottom of the Pontins Holiday League Division One West after a 1-0 defeat at Carlisle United yesterday afternoon.

Chester City: Lake, Potter, Marsh-Evans, Cadwallader, Bolland, Dove, Rutherford, Noon (Wade 76), Richardson (Holroyd 67), Curle, El Khoti. Subs not used: Wilson, Humphries, Brookfield.

• Reserve team fixtures | Reserve league table

2 November 2005
RESERVES IN ACTION
The reserves travel to play Carlisle United at Brunton Park this afternoon, kick-off 14:00hrs. Carlisle currently top the Pontins Holiday League Division One West table, whilst the Blues are bottom. Several first teamers are expected to play whilst there should be a run out for ex-Everton goalkeeper Sean Lake who is on trial at the Deva. Admission prices are £2 adults £1 concessions.

CARROLL SUSPENDED
Rseerve/youth team player Neil Carroll has received a three match suspension that takes effect from 22 October.

1 November 2005
MIDFIELDER RELEASED
Midfielder Leo Bertos has been released by Chester. The New Zealander made 3+4 appearances during his two months spent at the club since signing from Rochdale. Bertos has now signed non-contract terms with Barrow.

FREE CUP ADMISSION FOR JUNIORS

Junior supporters under the age of 14 are eligible for free admission in the West stand at Saturday’s home FA Cup first round match with Folkestone Invicta.

The children must be accompanied by a paying adult who must also have proof of age for the child.