December 2002 News

31 December 2002
SUSPENSIONS
The club have confirmed that striker Ryan Sugden will miss tomorrow’s game against Northwich Victoria as he serves the last of his three match suspension, however fellow striker Dave Cameron will be available following his two match ban after being red-carded with Droylsden. Kevin McIntyre will miss Saturday’s trip to Kettering Town as he serves a one match ban for collecting five bookings and Paul Carden will miss the Worksop Town game for the same reason, however, the club have stated that Scott Guyett currently only has four points and so is a further yellow card away from a suspension.

30 December 2002
GUYETT INJURY

It’s not known as yet how long Scott Guyett may be out of the City side. The defender, who left the field just before half-time on Saturday, couldn’t see a thing through his right eye and had double vision in his left eye following the clash with Telford United’s big defender Mark Forlan.

“If Scott’s injury is bad then we won’t play him or risk him. We will be guided by what they tell us at the hospital” said manager Mark Wright.

Midfielder Shaun Carey also went off at the break on Saturday after suffering a hamstring injury, as he stretched for a ball, and may be out for a two to three weeks. Midfielder Jimmy Kelly suffered a reaction to his knee injury at Northwich and was left out of Saturday’s squad.

City Manager Wright has also stated that he may have to bring in two loan players to cover for injuries and suspensions. “I need a midfield player, and maybe a right sided player, and that’s what we’ll be looking at now” he said. The Blues are next in action on New Year’s Day at home to neighbours Northwich Victoria, kick-off 15:00hrs.

28 December 2002
BEN OPENS HIS ACCOUNT
Ben Davies scored his first goal for the Blues to help City on their way to a 4-1 victory over Telford United. Davies headed home Michael Twiss’ superb left wing cross midway through the first half. Minutes later United keeper Paul Edwards was stretchered off with a suspected broken leg (later revealed as severe bruising) following a 50/50 challenge with Daryl Clare.

Ten minutes after the interval Clare doubled the lead with a fine shot following another Twiss through ball. Shortly after, United pulled a goal back through ex-City striker David Brown who scored from close range after seeing his penalty saved by Wayne Brown. City stepped things up after that and goals from Mark Beesley and Daryl Clare, from the penalty spot, brought City the three points.

Defender Scott Guyett (pictured) was taken to hospital at half-time following a clash with Mark Foran and is suspected of having concussion, if that proves the case then the defender will be out for two weeks.

RESERVES WIN
Goals from Matty Cook and Michael Simpson gave the reserves, a team consisting of mostly Youth Team players, a 2-1 victory at Northwich Victoria today.

27 December 2002
BOLLAND SEES RED

Defender Phil Bolland could receive a three match ban following his straight red card at Northwich yesterday following a foul on Jonathan Allen. The defender was dismissed with twenty minutes remaining of the derby stalemate which City drew 1-1.

It was a hard fought match with a draw being a fair result. The home side dominated the opening 45 minutes, indeed City failed to really test the home keeper at all in that period and went in at half-time a goal down following a Mark Devlin strike two minutes before the break. However, Michael Twiss pounced to head the equaliser just after the interval (and a Mark Wright roasting) but despite the Blues having more of the share of the game they found home keeper Parry in outstanding form. Striker Daryl Clare played despite picking up a knee injury in the Hereford match on Friday. Mark Wright said: “If Ryan Sugden, Dave Cameron, Mark Beesley or Steve Brodie had been available, then Daryl Clare wouldn’t have played at Northwich, I wouldn’t have risked him. I have to look at the situation very closely. The bottom line is that I don’t know how serious Daryl’s problem is. It’s a little bit sore, but he played, and now I’ve got to be a little bit wary about who we play and how we play against Telford.”

Following the draw at Wincham Park City have slipped to third in the table as Doncaster’s 5-2 win at Scarborough lifted the Yorkshire side to second spot, the Blues however did gain a point on leaders Yeovil Town who suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat at Forest Green Rovers.

McINTYRE SUSPENDED
Defender Kevin McIntyre will miss the trip to Kettering Town on 4 January as he serves a one match ban after collecting five bookings this season.

23 December 2002
NEW COMPANY FORMED
Chairman Steve Vaughan has announced that Vaughan Promotions have set up a new company called Deva Holdings. “Deva Holdings is going to be the new company that manages our group of companies and that will include Chester City Football Club. Any profits earned from our other trading companies will go towards propping up any shortfall required by Chester City FC.”

VAUGHAN NAMES SUCCESSOR
Chairman Steve Vaughan has revealed that chief executive Darren Liversage will be the next chairman of the club: “When the time is right for me to step down as Chairman, the next Chairman of this football club will be Darren Liversage. He’s getting groomed in to be the next chairman of this club as and when the time comes that I feel appropriate, he will take over. I’ve got no intentions of stepping away but I can’t carry on forever. He’s ten years younger than I and and when I feel that I need to step into the background, he will fill my shoes.”

21 December 2002
BLUES FALL FOR SUCKER PUNCH
A goal four minutes from time brought City their second home defeat of the season as Graham Turner’s Hereford United ran out 1-0 winners at Deva Stadium. The Blues dominated for the first 45 minutes but couldn’t find their cutting edge in front of goal. City manager Mark Wright told Neil Turner after the game: “We have to ensure we bounce back on Boxing Day at Northwich Victoria. We’ve got 20 games to go, and a lot to play for. It’s going to be a tough season. You must remember that this is a fairly new side, and we are still trying to get to know each other. The players have been magnificent.” As Wright stated, Chester are next in action on Boxing Day at Cheshire rivals Northwich Victoria. City have never beaten the Vics in the Conference but will have the backing of over 1,400 fans at Wincham Park for the all-ticket match that kick’s off at 15:00hrs on Thursday.

20 December 2002
CITY ON SKY TV AGAIN

Chester’s home game against Doncaster Rovers in March has been put back two days and will now be featured live on SKY TV on Monday 17 March, kick-off 20:00hrs. Meanwhile, Doncaster Rovers have signed Rushden & Diamonds defender Tarkan Mustafa on a month’s loan, City manager Mark Wright had been tracking the defender’s progress earlier in the month.

19 December 2002
YOUTH TEAM BEAT RIVALS
Two goals from Mike Simpson gave City’s youth team a 2-0 victory at rivals Wrexham yesterday afternoon.

NORTHWICH TICKETS
Those fans wanting to see the Boxing Day away match with Northwich Victoria are being urged to buy tickets for the game as soon as possible. The club have already sold 900 of their allocation for the match that kick’s-off at 15:00hrs. Tickets are on sale at Deva Stadium until 17:00hrs today and after the match with Hereford United tomorrow night.

17 December 2002
HALF SEASON TICKETS
The club have announced details of a half-season ticket prices which take effect from, and include, the home game with Telford United on 28 December.
Seats: Tickets for the East and West Stand seating areas will cost £95.00 for adults, £70.00 for concessions; and £50.00 for under-16s.
Terrace: Tickets will cost �75.00 for adults; �60.00 for concessions; and £45.00 for under-16s.

16 December 2002
CITY MAINTAIN THEIR CHALLENGE
Two goals from reprieved striker Daryl Clare maintained Chester’s challenge at the top of the Conference table. The Blues cruised to a four goal victory at Hilton Park with Wayne Brown rarely troubled throughout the 90 minutes. City’s other scorers were Ryan Sugden and Scott Guyett, whose sixth minute header set the Blues on their way. City now face a four match run over Christmas and New Year beginning with the visit from sixth place Hereford United on Friday night (19:45hrs). Two games with Northwich Victoria and a visit from Telford United soon follow.

EXILES CHRISTMAS SOCIAL NIGHTS
The Exiles will be meeting tomorrow night at the Windmill, 6-8 Mill Street, London W1 from 18:30hrs. We shall also be having a Christmas get-together in Chester on Friday 27 December, meeting up at The Falcon, Lower Bridge Street, Chester from 19:30hrs.

YOUNGSTERS MOVE ON LOAN
Three of City’s younger players have gone out on loan. Chris Tamm, Carl Rogers (who played first team football under Gordon Hill) and Kevin Tower have all joined Caernarfon Town.

YOUTH ALLIANCE NORTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE
	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
Mansfield Town	14	12	1	1	35	17	18	37
Port Vale	13	9	1	3	34	23	11	28
Rotherham United	14	7	3	4	37	24	13	24
Notts County	13	5	4	4	30	29	1	19
Shrewsbury Town	12	4	5	3	23	22	1	17
Doncaster Rovers	14	3	4	7	25	28	-3	13
Chester City	12	3	2	7	13	27	-14	11
Wrexham	11	3	0	8	17	26	-9	9
Chesterfield	11	3	0	8	12	24	-12	9
Macclesfield Town	10	2	2	6	13	19	-6	8

14 December 2002

LANCASHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
Morecambe Reserves	14	10	1	3	62	26	36	31
Southport Reserves	15	9	4	2	51	17	34	31
Chorley Reserves	15	9	3	3	35	29	6	30
Marine Reserves	14	9	1	4	27	19	8	28
Burscough Reserves	14	8	2	4	31	26	5	26
Northwich Victoria Reserves	13	7	3	3	37	14	23	24
Lancaster City Reserves	13	7	1	5	32	27	5	22
Chester City Reserves	9	6	0	3	32	10	22	18
Bamber Bridge Reserves	15	4	2	9	22	37	-15	14
Accrington Stanley Reserves	12	3	3	6	30	32	-2	12
Barrow Reserves	12	3	3	6	23	38	-15	12
Ossett Town Reserves	11	3	1	7	33	34	-1	10
Bradford Park Avenue Res	10	2	2	6	17	24	-7	8
Farsley Celtic Reserves	12	1	1	10	13	33	-20	4
Guiseley Reserves	11	0	1	10	15	94	-79	1

13 December 2002
CLARE BACK IN BUSINESS
Great news for all City fans as striker Daryl Clare will be available tomorrow after the Football Association reversed their decision on his three match ban and downgraded his red card at Southport to a yellow. The change in mind comes after the match referee studied video evidence of the incident involving Clare and Southport’s Barry Jones.

NORTHWICH MATCH ALL-TICKET

City’s match against Northwich Victoria at Witton Albion’s Bargain Booze Stadium (Wincham Park) ground on Boxing Day is all-ticket. Chester have been allocated 1,400 terrace tickets and 250 seats.

Terrace: £8.00 adult £6.00 concession, Seats: £9.50 adult £7.50 concession.

Tickets go on sale on Monday to season ticket holders from 10:00hrs to 19:00hrs and then on general sale until 17:00hrs from Tuesday. They will also be on sale after the home game against Hereford United. There is a limit of two tickets per person. Fans are urged to claim their tickets as soon as possible.

CLARE BANNED FOR THREE GAMES

The club’s appeal against Daryl Clare’s three match ban has failed and the striker will start his suspension at Leigh RMI on Saturday. The weekly FA suspension list issued on the FA website today states that:

“The disciplinary section of the FA confirms that Daryl Adam Clare is suspended from all football until the Club have completed three first team matches from 14/12/2002 for a Sending Off.”

Chester have made a further appeal on the striker’s behalf. “We are disappointed that our initial appeal against the sending off was turned down, and we have now made a further appeal, and now a different disciplinary committee will review the case. We are hoping for a reduction in the ban,” said chairman Steve Vaughan.

• This weeks FA suspension document.

CAMERON RECALLED
Dave Cameron has been recalled from his loan spell at Droylsden. He was sent off last week and now possibly faces a two match ban around Christmas.

11 December 2002
MATCH OFF
Tonight’s home reserve match against Guiseley at Flint Town United has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.

10 December 2002
NEW SIGNINGS?
Steve Vaughan has hinted that there may well be player movements at the Deva Stadium later this week. “There are a couple of players that Mark Wright is interest in, and it is possible that there will be player movement in and also out of the club this week,” the chairman told the Daily Post.

STARS OF THE FUTURE?
Congratulations to City’s five junior teams who all won on Saturday. Read CCFC Juniors Co-ordinator Mark Newman’s round-up here.

SUSPENSIONS
On-loan striker Dave Cameron who was sent off for Droylsden on Saturday will probably receive a two match ban. This is the striker’s second dismissal of the season having been ordered off at Telford United. Meanwhile the club are still awaiting a decision from the FA regarding Daryl Clare’s appeal.

RUN-OUT WITH THE RESERVES
Manager Mark Wright has revealed that Jimmy Kelly, Mark Beesley, Michael Twiss, Carl Ruffer, and Martyn Lancaster can all expect a run out in Chester reserves� team who play Guiseley in a Lancashire League match at Flint tomorrow. The reserves have had a number of games postponed recently and currently lie eighth with 18 points from nine games, Guiseley are bottom of the League.

NO CHARGES
Club chairman Steve Vaughan will not be facing charges after an incident during Saturday’s game at Morecambe. A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: �There was an incident but it would seem that although the victim did make a complaint it was retracted. There is no investigation, no charges have been brought and no-one has been arrested. As far as we are concerned the incident is finished with.�

8 December 2002
SECOND ROUND EXIT FOR BLUES

The Blues crashed out of the second round of the FA Cup at Morecambe despite twice taking a first-half lead. Phil Bolland put City 1-0 up on 25 minutes with a far post header from a Kevin McIntyre corner but the lead was only held for two minutes before Jim Bentley equalised for The Shrimps. Daryl Clare headed City 2-1 up on 42 minutes from six yards, but, the game turned in the three minutes before the break that followed with Ryan Sugden being red-carded for an off-the-ball incident and Bentley equalising again for the home side. The winning goal for the home side came from Adriano Rigoglioso on 57 minutes.

Manager Mark Wright was furious about the red card saying: “The decision to send off Ryan Sugden was disgraceful and it was farcical. Ryan Sugden hasn’t got anything in him, and he’s one of the nicest lads you’ll ever meet, and for their boy to feign injury is a disgrace. And the lad did, no two ways about it. Everyone in the stadium knew it. We’ve had this happen at Southport last week, and we’ve now had it happen at Morecambe – one professional footballer deciding to feign injury, and it’s not right. No one has been hurt and nothing has happened, and all of a sudden Ryan Sugden gets sent off.”

Sugden can expect a three match ban for his red card and is likely to miss the forthcoming games against Northwich Victoria (26 Dec), Telford United (28 Dec) and the return home match with Northwich Victoria on New Year’s Day.

PLAY-OFF DATES
Several people have enquired regarding the dates for the end of season play-off’s, they are as follows:

Thursday May 1 (probably 20:00hrs kick-off) Team 5 v Team 2; Team 4 v Team 3.
Bank Holiday Monday May 5 (probably 15:00hrs kick-off) Team 2 v Team 5; Team 3 v Team 4.
Final – Saturday May 10 (Britannia Stadium, Stoke, probably 15:00hrs kick-off).

All matches are being covered by SKY TV.

CITY CAUGHT IN SECOND SPOT
Chester have been caught in second place in the Conference by Doncaster Rovers following their 2-1 win at Burton Albion last night, though City’s goal difference is five better that that of their Yorkshire rivals. Meanwhile leaders Yeovil Town lost 2-1 at Scarborough today to leave them three points ahead of the Blues who now have a game in hand on both The Glovers and Rovers. The Seadogs moved fourth following their win.

6 December 2002
FA CUP SELL OUT
FA Cup

Chester will have the backing of 1,100 fans at Christie Park tomorrow, after selling-out their entire ticket allocation this week, as the Blues go for FA Cup glory and a chance of a money-spinning third round draw. The winners of tomorrow’s match will pick up £30,000 in prize money.

Club secretary Tony Allen has warned that police will remove anyone without a ticket.

There’s no team news as yet so it remains to be seen whether midfielder Jimmy Kelly returns from injury. Manager Mark Wright said: �Jimmy Kelly played in a practice match yesterday and he played in a 45-minute practice game today. I�m keeping a close eye on him, but the boys who have played in midfield have done unbelievably well and I�ll need to look at the situation closely before selecting my team for Saturday.�

3 December 2002
MORECAMBE TICKETS
The club today confirmed that 50 tickets remain unsold for this weekend�s FA Cup second round tie at Morecambe. Tickets will remain on sale all this week between 09:00 and 17:00hrs at Deva Stadium.

FARNBOROUGH DATE
City have rearranged their home fixture with Farnborough Town, postponed because of Saturday�s cup match, and the game will now take place on Tuesday 15 April at 19:45hrs.

2 December 2002
AWARD FOR WRIGHT

Congratulations to manager Mark Wright who has been named the Nationwide Conference Manager of the Month for November. During the month City won four games, including a 1-0 F.A. Cup win at second division Colchester United, a 1-0 victory at Stevenage Borough, a home 5-0 defeat of Margate and Saturday’s 3-1 win at Southport. The Blues started the month with a 2-2 draw with high-flyers Yeovil Town.

Manager Wright said: �It�s absolutely fantastic news and the award means a lot to me. I know I make the decisions, but my life has been made easier by our chairman who has allowed me to bring in people I respect and hold in high esteem. People like my assistant, Steve Bleasdale, Alan Lewer, Alan Cottrell, and our physio, Joe Hinnigan, are a good solid team, and my players have achieved so much after crossing that white line. I’m still looking to strengthen the squad and there may be developments soon, but we shouldn’t take anything away at all from our recent displays in the Nationwide Conference and F.A. Cup.”

FA TROPHY DRAW

The draw for the third round of the FA Umbro Trophy was made at Anfield today and City will play Worksop Town at Deva Stadium on 11 January 2003. The winners of the tie will receive £1,100. The Tigers, from the UniBond Premier League, beat Solihull Borough 4-2 on Saturday to reach this stage of the competition.

FA Trophy Third Round draw in full.

Northern Section
Farsley Celtic v Gainsborough Trinity
Kettering Town v Altrincham
Chester City v Worksop Town
Leek Town v Southport
Alfreton Town v Spennymoor United/Halesowen Town
Leigh RMI v Vauxhall Motors
Rugby United v Telford United
Stalybridge Celtic v Scarborough
Northwich Victoria v Barrow
Wakefield & Emley v Burton Albion
Ilkeston Town v Harrogate Town/Burscough
Tamworth v Nuneaton Borough
Lancaster City v Morecambe
Colwyn Bay v Blyth Spartans
Halifax Town v Doncaster Rovers

Southern Section
Woking v Chesham United/Walton & Hersham
Dover Athletic v Gravesend & Northfleet
Stevenage Borough v Oxford City
Forest Green Rovers v Barnet
Windsor & Eton v Thame United
Aylesbury United v Kingstonian
Eastbourne Borough v Farnborough Town
Gloucester City/Merthyr Tydfil v Lewes
Dagenham & Redbridge v Bishop's Stortford/Marlow
Hayes v Crawley Town
Dulwich Hamlet v Margate
Canvey Island v Cirencester Town
Heybridge Swifts v Hendon
Worcester City v Newport County
Purfleet v Grays Athletic
Hereford United v Yeovil Town
Sutton United v Havant & Waterlooville/Billericay Town

CITY TO APPEAL AGAINST RED CARD
Chester are to appeal against the sending off of Daryl Clare in Saturday�s match at Southport. The striker received a straight red card, apparently for retaliation, after being tackled from behind by Barry Jones on the stroke of half-time. The incident caused a free-for-all as the players and management of both sides left the field down the tunnel. Speaking in the Evening Leader Wright said: �We�re definitely going to appeal against Daryl Clare�s sending off because the video will show he did nothing wrong. Daryl Clare was in bits in the changing room and mortified at half-time, and that is not Daryl Clare. Daryl Clare is not in your face and wanting to fight, and to have that thrown at him and maybe miss three games is a bad decision. He can�t believe what people are saying about him because he�s a football player. He�s a winner, but he�s not a stamper, and he�s certainly not someone who throws his elbows – that�s not him. Throughout his career he�s never done that and he didn�t do that against Southport. I think it�s wrong, and now we�ll have to see what the FA and the referee say. If we appeal the referee will have to take a look at it, and I think it will be pretty clear that nothing has gone on. Their player, Barry Jones, has conned the referee, and stayed down. And that�s why everything kicked off at half-time � their player conned the referee.”

Should Clare�s appeal not be successful then the striker can expect to be suspended for the forthcoming games at Leigh RMI (14 Dec), Hereford United (20 Dec) and Northwich Victoria (26 Dec).

WRIGHT INVOLVED IN FRACAS

City manager Mark Wright may face action after being involved in a half-time fracas at Haig Avenue on Saturday. Wright was incensed following the sending-off of striker Daryl Clare after the striker appeared to retaliate after being fouled from behind by Southport defender Barry Jones, who, only received a yellow card for the incident. This took place right in front of the dug-outs and just before the interval and scuffles broke out as the players made their way down the tunnel.

City kept in touch with leaders Yeovil Town with a 3-1 victory on Saturday. Shaun Carey, Paul Carden and Carl Ruffer all scored their first goals of the season to give the Blues a hard-fought victory against the Sandgrounders.

YEOVIL/MARGATE VIDEOS
The recent game against Yeovil Town, the home 2-2 draw which marked Daryl Clare’s scoring debut, has now been released on video by Northern Accent Television. The video of last weeks 5-0 victory over Margate will be released in a week or so.

The video’s cost £9.99 each and will be available to order from club shop or please add £1.00 p&p and send off to:-
Northern Accent Television, P.O.Box 3118, Chester, CH4 8XE

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