30 April 2014
BURR TO HOLD TALKS WITH BOARD
Steve Burr believes that the club should be aiming to go full time next season as Chester prepare to bounce back to the Conference Premier at the first attempt. Burr will hold talks with chairman Tony Durkin and the club board this week to discuss the future now the dust is beginning to settle on Saturday’s relegation. Stalybridge Celtic are the only current full time club in the Conference North.

Burr told the Chester Leader of his plans: “I’m hoping that I can sort out one or two things with Tony (Durkin) and Steve (Ashton) in a meeting before I fly out to Barcelona on Friday. The club have a few exciting plans and I would like to help put a few things in place. I have already spoken to an interested party about setting up full time training facilities which would be as good as anything that any club has in the Conference.”

“Chester shouldn’t stay part-time just because the majority of clubs in Conference North are part-time. I would expect Chester’s budget to be less for next season because we have dropped down a level, but I still feel the club should have a full time squad and that would be the way forward.”

“I know the club have a different opinion on this, but I’m hoping they will listen and act on my advice.”

“We’ve just been keeping our heads above water out of the bottom four but, whether you want to call it a bit of bad luck or whatever, the table doesn’t lie at the end of the season.”

“To go down on 50 points, normally you’d expect that to be enough but that wasn’t the case It was quite a dramatic turnaround really. It’s very difficult to comprehend what’s happened.”

Chester have revealed their kit for next season which is all blue, with the shirts having white sleaves. The club have been forced to ditch the traditional stripes as kit manufacturers Puma, who the club have a long term deal with, do not produce an off-the-shelf striped kit and the minimum order for a bespoke striped shirt was too many. A board statement said: “As previously shared with members, the current kit agreement was re-negotiated in January 2013 to reduce contracted volumes following review by the Chester FC Board. On that basis we proceeded with a kit vote earlier in the year.” “We anticipated that a bespoke kit could be supplied at the reduced volume. However, the kit supplier has recently advised that a large minimum order is required for production reasons. The volumes required would significantly exceed previous sales of shirts and represents a major financial liability for the Club.” “Despite extensive negotiation the Board have been left with no alternative but to go for a non bespoke kit for next season.” “Whilst the decision on the new kit has had to be made without direct owner consultation due to production deadlines, we hope the new kit will prove a popular choice. We will be able to order reasonable quantities that will meet demand but not leave us with unsold stock that will jeopardise the finances of the Club.”

A Danny Carlton goal on twelve minutes brought Chester a crucial 1-0 victory at second placed Cambridge United yesterday. Cheered on by over 300 supporters Chester battled well and a series of fine saves by Aaron Chapman ensured a big three points for the Blues on the day that Dartford were relegated. Victory over Salisbury City in the final game of the season on Saturday, (kick-off 17.30hrs), would guarantee Conference Premier football next season, should Hereford United lose or draw at Aldershot Town then Chester will be safe whatever their own result. • Latest table after Cambridge game | More pictures Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

“I just think they’re safe and you just expect them to come and play. Some of things that went on at the end I was quite amazed at really but they've got to look after their own camp.”

“I was obviously bitterly disappointed to lose. We knew it was always going to be a tough game. I thought we improved a lot in the second half and could have maybe got something out of the game. The only positive I can take out of the game is the fact that they had a go in the second half.”

The Blues could have taken the lead in the first 30 seconds with Seddon missing a one-on-one with the Hyde ‘keeper Kettings, but the striker made amends by opening the scoring on 15 minutes with a well executed lob over the ‘keeper. The lead was doubled on 23 minutes as Brizzell headed a through ball back over Kettings into his own net.