•Editorial
•Fan Profile – Steven Spencer
•The Premiership, Another Planet
•A View from The West Stand
•Fans Forum – #2
•Book Review – 'Soccer Czars'

A VIEW FROM THE WEST STAND

Well, we’ve started yet another season, have we any more reason for optimism this season than last? Lack of enough goals certainly cost us promotion last season.

It has certainly been a bold decision to bring back old “Psycho” and one has to commend the chairman for making the money available. Talking to a number of my football friends, opinions seem to be split right down the middle, for and against. Me? I’m sitting firmly on the fence, but if,G.B. has scored at least twenty goals by the end of the season, I’ll admit it was an inspirational signing. My only criticism is the three year deal – it seems very generous to say the least.

The signing of Rod Thomas was brilliant, now, he is really a touch of class. If he can stay free of injury, his quality runs and crosses should present our strikers with plenty of opportunities. I’m glad Ross Davidson is staying with the club, for me, one of the stars of last season. The same goes for ‘Jenks’, but if an attractive offer comes in for him you couldn’t stand in his way (And the money would be useful).

I am pleased that Neil Fisher has had a good pre-season, another class player who needs an extended run in the side. With the players available to Kevin Ratcliffe, there is no reason why we shouldn’t be pushing for honours again this season. As long as the football is as entertaining as last season, I’ll have no complaints.

That’s enough of the plaudits for now because, as usual, it may be great to have entertaining football on the pitch but if the the public relations are lacking, it’s not good and I’m afraid it hasn’t got any better.
We regulars in the West Stand were again treated like second class citizens. Apart from the usual eviction for all ticket matches – Why can’t the away fans be told that one terrace and a half of the West Stand only is available? I am sure that one half could be filled with Chester fans.

Time and again last season we had to queue to get through our one turnstile whilst observing the away supporters turnstile further up the stand, open but redundant. It was only late in the season when the play-offs were looming that common sense prevailed and, for a couple of games we were allowed through the away entrance to ease congestion – and this was only after a prolonged conversation with a steward who was desperately trying to get a decision from someone sitting on the other side of the ground in the main stand.

One hilarious evening match, the floodlights over on our side of the ground weren’t switched on (It was about 7.10pm incidentally) and we all had to grope our way through the darkness to find the entrance. If someone had tripped and broken a leg or something they would have had a cast iron case for damages.

So outside lighting for the West Stand please! Oh, and while we are on the subject of light, please can we have another set of bulbs added to the floodlights? The fittings are there for all to see. Their addition would not only brighten up the field of play, but generally lighten up the gloomy atmosphere at night matches at the Deva.

Now, my main grievance regarding public relations at the club revolves around the generosity of the club in giving away free tickets to school children. First of all, may I say that I have nothing against children, I am a father of three. But if you are going to give schoolchildren free tickets to matches (Nothing against the idea in principle) can you make sure they go to children who are genuinely interested in the football?

In our experience a lot of them seem to spent most of the game going between their seats and the sweet and pie shop, disturbing all and sundry in the process. And if they stay in their seats long enough, they spend the rest of the time chattering to their friends, oblivious to what’s going on on the pitch unless a a goal is being scored. One week my friend and I arrived for a game which had been preceded by a cub scout game. Making our way to our usual spot on the back row around the half way line area, we were just about to sit down when we were told by an irate adult that those particular seats had been taken ‘ “The kids have gone to the kiosk”. We tried a row of seats lower down only to be told the same thing. On resigning ourselves to a place near the front we were again confronted with, “They’re all kept”. “All TEN of them?!” I retorted, “Yes”, came the reply. I rest my case.

After an intervention by a sympathetic steward we ended up in the main stand. My solution to this is simple. Put all the freebie schoolchildren (Along with the ever growing number of comps) in the wing blocks of the main stand. For two reasons, first the childrens’ chattering and trips to the shop are going to disturb fewer people. Secondly, it fills the gaps in the main stand giving a better image of the club for the TV cameras. I can’t see the logic in having a full west stand and a half empty main stand when the TV cameras are pointing towards the main stand.

I know! I will be accused of being a “moaning old git”! but it would take a lot more than the things mentioned above to put me off from going down to the Deva. The people who will be put off, however, are the casual visitors to the stadium who have forked out £9 for an afternoon’s entertainment only to have it spoiled. They won’t come again but they will share their experiences with others.

My final moan is probably the most important one. When oh! WHEN is there going to be a sign erected at the end of Bumpers Lane indicating where the Deva stadium is? I know for a fact that there are councillors sympathetic to it but tell me the club has not approached them about it. I’ll tell you what, as soon as there is a race meeting on at the Roodee, signs appear all over the place. So come on Chester City – tell the people where you are!

Chris Courtney-Williams