News from Deva Stadium April 2015

28 April 2015
BURR DELIGHTED AS SEASON ENDS IN STYLE
Chester wrapped up their season with win that left them in a respectable 12th placed finish in their second Conference Premier season. Saturday’s 5-3 home victory over already relegated Nuneaton Town was an entertaining end of season affair that saw the Blues come from 3-1 down in the opening stages of the second half to record a third successive victory.

Borough had taken a two goal lead through Andy Brown and Gavin Cowan before on-loan striker Oli McBurnie netted his fifth goal for the club on the stroke of half-time. The visitors restored their two goal lead moments into the second half through Josh Rees before Kingsley James pulled a goal back just after the hour mark. The introduction from the bench of Sean McConville and George Thomson proved to be decisive as McConville netted twice in six minutes and Thomson thundered home the fifth to seal the points.

Manager Steve Burr was pleased how the season finished: “I’ve enjoyed it, it’s a great club to be at and we’ve just got to try and improve again next year. I’m really pleased with how we’ve ended up this season.”

“We’ve had ups and downs, I said from day one that we would, but in general I’d like to think we’ve put some smiles on peoples faces with how we have played. The turnout was tremendous again, the support home and away has been fantastic. It’s been decent and we couldn’t have finished it off better.”

Chester finished the season 12 points better off than this time last year when they finished in the bottom four on goal difference. Barnet, who opened their season with a 5-0 win at Chester, were promoted as champions while the play-off’s will feature Bristol Rovers, Forest Green Rovers, Eastleigh and Grimsby Town.

• Final league table

26 April 2015
DUO AGREE NEW DEALS
John Rooney and Craig Hobson have both signed new one year deals at Chester. Rooney has netted 19 goals in 76+4 appearances for the Blues, while Hobson has found the net nine times 36+13 appearances.

24 April 2015
NEW AWAY SHIRT
The club have revealed the new away shirt for next season which will be yellow with blue trim. The shirts will also have a new sponsor the Skywheels Group Ltd whose name will appear on the back of the shirts. The deal was set up by goalkeeper Jon Worsnop who also works for Skywheels. The new strip will feature yellow shorts and socks. The shirts area available in adult sizes for £40 and will be on sale in the club shop tomorrow along with a new range of team wear.

20 April 2015
REDUCED ADMISSION FOR FINAL MATCH
Admission prices have been reduced for the final match of the season at home to relegated Nuneaton Town on Saturday. The game has a later kick-off than normal at 17.15hrs. Prices to all parts of the ground are: £10.00 (adults), £5.00 (concessions) with free admission for children under the age of 16.

ROONEY PENALTY SEALS THREE POINTS
Chester completed their away travels this season with a well deserved 1-0 victory at Aldershot Town, their first victory at The Shots since September 1984! The only goal of the game came on 14 minutes when Oliver McBurnie was brought down in the box by Jordan Roberts, Rooney sending Phil Smith the wrong way to slot home the spot kick. McBurnie had a great chance t double the lead but saw his effort from close range scrambled off the line after good build-up play down the right from Craig Hobson.

The hosts came more into the game in the second half but Chester still created chances with Matty Hughes, Hobson and Craig Mahon all coming close. Jon Worsnop was called into action five minutes from time saving a powerful Mark Molesley effort before referee Nigel Lugg whistled for full time.

Manager Steve Burr said: “I’m delighted that we’ve managed to get 60 points, I’d have took that all day at the start of the season. We want to finish on a high in front of our supporters. It was a good travelling support again and I said to the boys before the game let’s go over and give them an applause for coming again.”

“There was nothing at stake but you can see how much it means to them just winning games and hopefully against Nuneaton we can put a good show on.”

“That’ll be the aim and I’m sure it'll be a good party atmosphere but we want to finish on a high and the target is there for us to get another three points.”

14 April 2015
SECOND HALF SHOWING LIFTS BLUES

Three second half goals from Ollie McBurnie, Craig Hobson and John Rooney saw Chester come from behind to end Dover Athletic’s slim play-off hopes.

Boss Steve Burr switched to a 4-4-2 formation with McBurnie and Hobson up front and that paid dividends as both found the net to complete the first victory for the club in a month that had seen them slip down the table.

Chances were few and far between in the opening period before Dover took the lead through Stefan Payne on 36 minutes.

The Blues drew level straight after the break. A surging run by Matty Hughes set-up McBurnie but his flick from close range saw visiting ‘keeper Mitch Walker allow the ball to slip through his hands and into the net. Hobson gave Chester the lead on the hour heading home a Rooney left wing corner and Rooney himself wrapped up the points with a classy well taken curling effort giving Walker no chance.

Manager Steve Burr was delighted with the second half showing: “Our form has been poor over the last few months and the last month in particularly especially here. I thought the first-half had similar sort of signs and you could see the lads were uptight and confidence was draining.”

“But as soon as we scored just after half-time you could see everything coming back that we know these lads are capable of doing so I was really pleased. Dover have been on a good run and they are a strong outfit so I’m just pleased for everybody that we’ve got the win.”

“The finish on Hobby’s goal was what I call a proper striker’s header. I’m pleased for him. I thought he worked hard and he’s been out of the side for a while but he’s come back and he’s a smashing kid. I know with Hobby he gives me value for money every time he goes on the park.”

“John Rooney took his goal very well. I thought he was really unlucky not to score in the first-half when he came close a couple of times but I thought the finish was excellent.”

• League table after Dover game

10 April 2015
GEOFF COFFIN 1924-2015
Former Chester player Geoff Coffin has died at the age of 90. Predominantly a centre forward he made 151 Division Three North appearances for the club between 1947 and 1955 and scored 35 goals.

• Obituary

9 April 2015
MAHON SIGNS NEW DEAL

Craig Mahon has signed a new two year deal at Chester that will take him to the end of the 2016/17 season. He’s the fifth player to agree a new deal for next season following new contracts for Jon Worsnop, Ben Heneghan, Michael Kay and Ryan Higgins.

Mahon has scored ten goals in 60+16 appearances since joining the club from Vauxhall Motors during the 2013/14 pre-season.

He said: “I’ve had one of the best seasons of my life with Chester this year and I’m hoping it continues next year. I love playing for the club and I’m hoping to make more history like we did this year and continue on.”

“Steve and Macca have been great for me this year. They’ve let go out and express myself on the pitch and do what I do best and get at players.”

“That’s one of the reasons I wanted to stay with Macca and the gaffer. They are fantastic with me and they look after the lads.”

8 April 2015
EASTER TO FORGET FOR BLUES
Back to back heavy defeats over Easter saw Chester drop to 15th in the Conference Premier. A 5-1 defeat at Bristol Rovers on Good Friday was followed by a 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Forest Green Rovers on Monday as the form form that has hit the Blues continues.

Manager Steve Burr wants the players to play for their pride in the remaining three games of the season starting with the home game against Dover Athletic on Saturday. “It’s massively important we bounce back. Our support on Monday for the Forest Green game was unbelievable and so is the way the keep supporting us and getting behind us.”

“We’re in a poor run of form at the minute but the support from the terraces was fantastic and we need to give them that back in these last three games. We've got to play for our pride and give the fans something to cheer about from now until the end of the season.”

Ninth placed Dover still have an outside chance of making the play-off’s but will need to win on Saturday. Manager Steve Burr will be without Matty Brown who picked up an ankle injury on Monday and Sean McConville who is suspended. As cover Peter Winn has been recalled from his loan spell at Kings Lynn Town.

Following the match the team will make their way to the Guildhall for the end of season Presentation Night, the event which starts at 19.30 is sold out.

• League table after Forest Green game

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