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30 December 2006
YEAR ENDS IN DEFEAT
The Blues were once again beaten 3-0 at home this time at the hands of Milton
Keynes Dons who avenged their home defeat by City last September. All the goals
came in the second half after a promising opening perioid where City enjoyed
the majority of possession but couldn’t make the telling breakthrough.
The Dons opened the scoring on the hour through Clive Platt who was first
to react and
turn the ball home after
John Danby had saved a Izale McLeod penalty low down. McLeod added the second
five minutes
later and Jon-Paul McGovern added a third from a free-kick. City had Paul Linwood
sent off in the dying minutes for a second yellow card.
• League
Two table
29
December 2006
BENNETT RETURNS AS VAUGHAN SET TO LEAVE
City
could welcome back Dean Bennett (left) to the squad for tomorrow’s
home game
against Milton Keynes Dons following injury. There will be no place for Laurence
Wilson however as he serves a one match ban. The Dons, currently lie in second
place, are currently on a five match winning streak. Manager Martin Allen
will be keen to avenge the defeat
to City
back
in
September when goals from Ashley Westwood and Jon Walters gave Chester a
shock win. The
Dons have no injury worries and are expected to name an unchanged side from
the one that won 2-0 at Torquay United on Boxing Day.
The club tomorrow offer another of their kids for a quid schemes whereby one
adult or a concession pays to enter the West Stand, one child up to and including
the
12 will be admitted free of charge. Tickets MUST be purchased before the game
from the main ticket office.
Meanwhile the club have announced
that player Stephen Vaughan could be leaving in the New
Year. Three League Two sides have shown an interest in
the midfielder and he’s expected to move initially
on a load period with a view to a permanent move. Meanwhile
James Vaughan has joined Nationwide Conference North
club Droylsden on a one month loan.
Picture © Evening Leader
28 December 2006
CITY HOST IPSWICH
The Football Association today rejected Bury’s appeal against their
expulsion
from this year’s FA Cup competition. City will now face Ipswich Town in
round three on Saturday 6 January at 15:00hrs. The game will not be all-ticket.
27
December 2006
NO CHRISTMAS CHEER FOR BLUES
After
a run of three successive League wins City turned out one of their worst
displays of the season on a day the fans turned out to remember
a
former Chester legend. Chairman Steve Vaughan officially opened the Harry
McNally Terrace
at
half-time in this Cheshire derby, by then the Blues were a goal down and
had seen Laurence Wilson sent-off following two yellow cards, the second
for a
reckless challenge. He now misses Saturday’s visit from second placed
Milton Keynes Dons.
City simply didn’t compete anywhere on the pitch against a side having
a resurgence in form since the
arrival of manager Paul Ince with this win finally lifting them from the foot
of the table. After the break two ex-Chester players, Kevin McIntyre and John
Murphy, scored with
ease – the
third goal signaling a rush for the exit
gates with over ten minutes remaining.
Wright
blamed poor defending for the defeat: “I thought Macclesfield deserved
to win, they took their chances well. However, I am boiling and angry because
after good wins against Boston, Lincoln City and Peterborough, we didn’t
perform to our usual levels in this game. I was disappointed, particularly
with the first two goals we conceded, the defending was poor and our awareness
of the situations was also poor. They are on a good run at the moment, but
we still should have dealt better with certain aspects of the game.”
Wright went on to say: “Too many people expect
too much of the team when it’s still early days.
I think it’s time for a reality check – not
only for ourselves and the players, but for the supporters
as well. Maybe at times we’re not as good as
people think we are. Yes, we’ve beaten Hartlepool,
Boston, Lincoln, and Peterborough, but everyone gets
carried
away with what is happening at the time. So it is time
for a a check. I think people have got to be more patient.”
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Chairman Steve Vaughan receives the
memorial plaque from Supporters Trust member Roger Glanville. |
Pictures © Evening
Leader
23
December 2006
TRIBUTE TO HARRY
The
football club pay tribute to one of their legends when the North
Terrace
will
be
officially
renamed
The
Harry McNally Terrace on Boxing Day by club chairman Steve Vaughan. McNally,
who died
just
over two
years
ago,
brought the Blues promotion from the Fourth Division in 1985/86 and then to eighth
place
on
Division
Three
in 1988/89.
Harry will probably be best remembered though for carrying
City
though
their
two
years
in
exile
at
Macclesfield
Town
between 1990-92 in the third division playing against teams such as Stoke City,
Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion. It
is
quite
fitting
that the Silkmen then provide the opposition on Tuesday afternoon.
Steve Vaughan will cut a blue ribbon in front of the terrace during the half-time
interval and ex-players including Stuart Rimmer, Gary Bennett and John Kelly
are expected to be present. The Supporters Trust will also present Steve Vaughan
with an etched brass plaque to commemorate the occasion.
FA YOUTH CUP
The youth team will play their FA Youth Cup fourth round tie at Bristol City
on
Tuesday
16
January, the kick-off time is to be confirmed but will probably be 19:00hrs.
This is the also same night as the scheduled reserves Cheshire Senior Cup semi-final
at Cammel Laird.
22
December 2006
MATCH OFF
Following an inspection this morning by local referee
Russell Booth tonight’s
League Two match against Mansfield Town has been postponed
due
to a
frozen pitch. There is no new date as yet for the
fixture.
20 December 2006
BLUES REINSTATED, PENDING APPEAL
Pending
an appeal, Chester City have been reinstated into the
FA Cup after second round opponents Bury were removed
from the competition today. Bury were found guilty of
fielding an ineligible player Stephen Turnbull, who
is a loan signing from Hartlepool United and played
for 80 minutes in last week’s replay that the
Shakers won 3-1 without the necessary registration paperwork
in place.
An FA statement said: “Bury selected Turnbull
without receiving the required permission from Hartlepool
United and lodging that permission with The FA. Bury
also failed to comply with the required timescales for
registration of players for the FA Cup.” Chester
have also been awarded the £24,000 second round
prize money and will now host Championship side Ipswich
Town in the third round at Deva Stadium on Saturday
6 January.
Bury intend to appeal against the Football Association’s
decision and the hearing will take place on 28 December.A
delighted City chairman Steve Vaughan said: “We
now will prepare for our match against Ipswich Town
and go into the game in a positive frame of mind. We
have enjoyed a bit of luck for which I am overjoyed,
and I feel that it is the first bit of good fortune
Chester City have enjoyed for many a long day.”
The rules deemed to have been broken are:
FA Challenge Cup RULE 15 (PROVISIONS CONCERNING PLAYERS)
(j) Temporary (loan) Transfers
(i) A player on a temporary (loan) transfer is ineligible
to compete in the Challenge Cup Competition unless permission
to do so is given by the lending Club in writing and
a copy is received by The Association by 12 noon on
the Friday prior to the date fixed for playing the Round.
Any permissions must clearly state that the player has
approval to play in the Challenge Cup Competition.
18
December 2006
FIRST CLASS BLUES
Chester
City moved to tenth in League Two following Saturday’s
2-0 at Peterborough United. It was a happy return
for
manager Mark Wright, sacked by the London Road side
in January, as two first half goals from Jon Walters
and a Mark Arber own goal were enough to give City
their third league away win of the season.
Wright told the Evening Leader: “This is not about
Mark Wright – it is about a good performance and
three deserved points for my team. The players produced
a first-class display and defended in a great manner
to keep a clean sheet. We came here to get the win and
that is exactly what we did. That is all I care about.
I was at Peterborough and had a lot of happy times.
Last season I would have got promotion. I was so confident
we’d get promotion with the side we had put together
and with the way the players were playing. But then
all of a sudden for Barry Fry to do all the things he
did and said upset me. But it hasn’t finished
yet because I’m speaking to my solicitors today
and we’ve got a meeting because I’m refusing
to let go what Peterborough accused me of.
I’m going to give the players today off as a thank
you for giving me a performance at Peterborough on a
day which meant a lot to me.”
Picture © Evening
Leader
16 December 2006
FA ENQUIRY COULD SEE BURY THROWN OUT
The
Football Association are to hold an enquiry following
reports that Bury may have fielded an ineligible player
in last week’s second round replay at Deva Stadium.
The player in question, Stephen Turnbill, is on loan
from Hartlepool United and played for the first 80 minutes
of the match.
The FA are to investigate whether the correct registration
procedure was followed with the player. Bury have until
Wednesday to present their case to a Challenge Cup sub
committee and will make no official announcement on
the situation until then.
If the Shakers are found guilty of a breach of rules
there are several penalties available including fining
Bury, ordering a replay, remove Bury from the competition
or do nothing.
Chester secretary Tony Allen said: “Whilst everyone
sympathises with Bury, the FA rules and regulations
are there to be adhered to. We now just hope that the
FA do the right thing.” Manager Mark Wright also
had sympathy for Bury as he told the Evening leader:
“The rules state quite clearly that if a club
fields an ineligible player and they have not had permission
then the club is out of the competition. There is no
points deduction, you just can’t play an ineligible
player, and you’ve got to feel sorry for Bury.
You never know, it might be a reprieve for us, because
at the end of the day rules are rules. I know damn well
that if it had been us in the wrong then we would have
been out by now. But at the same time it’s very
unfortunate for Bury.”
15 December 2006
POINT TO PROVE
Chester
travel to sixth placed Peterborough United tomorrow
looking to forget Tuesday’s disappointing FA Cup
exit and carry on the league form that saw them comprehensively
beat both Lincon City and Boston United last week. It
will be a return to their former club for manager Mark
Wright, who was controversially sacked back in January,
along with former Posh players Phil Bolland, Jamie Hand
and Ryan Semple who will all be looking to put one over
their former employers.
Speaking of Wright’s return,
assistant manager Graham Barrow said: “As far
as the gaffer is concerned it’s always a big
occasion when you go back to a former club. I’ve
experienced it this season against Bury. But you have
to admit that the gaffer left Peterborough in a good
position even if he did leave them in unfortunate
circumstances. Peterborough have been splashing quite
a bit of money around this season and it looks like
that will continue. They look like they are moving
in the right direction.”
The Posh have lost just once
in a ten match run that has seen them beat Swansea City
and Tranmere Rovers un cup competitions. Tomorrow they
have striker Aaron McLean out through suspension but
welcome back both winger Adam Newton and defender Guy
Branston from suspension.
For the Blues there is a slight doubt over Sean Hessey
who has missed training through illness but have no
other injury scares.
13 December 2006
HACKETT’S HEROES
Congratulations to Jim Hackett and his Youth Team who
knocked Tottenham Hotspur out of the FA Youth Cup 1-0
in a third round tie at Deva Stadium tonight to reach
the last 32 in the competition. Paul McManus got the
all important goal on 23 minutes heading home Sean Newton’s
left wing cross from eight yards out in front of a crowd
of 411.
Youth team coach Jim Hackett said: “The lads were
tremendous, and thoroughly deserved the win. This has
been a memorable night for Chester City Football Club.”
The young Blues will play Bristol City away in round
4 on a date to be decided, though it must be before
20 January. The Robins also beat Premiership opposition
tonight in the form of Fulham 3-2.
Chester City:
Vernon, Rule (Rowlands 65), Newton, Roberts, Kelly,
Owen, Mitchell, Carroll, Thorpe (Feliciello 53), Gregory,
McManus (Morrin 79). Subs not used: Robson, Brownrigg.
• Fourth
round draw [thefa.com]
Pictures © Evening Leader
NOT GOOD ENOUGH
After
a belting performance against Lincoln City is was back
town to earth for the Blues who crashed out of the FA
Cup after a disappoining home performance against Bury
that saw The Shakers first victory over Chester in 14
attempts. Not only did City miss out on a home third
round tie against Champtionship side Ipswich Town, they
also failed to pick up the second round prize money
of £24,000.
It all started so well for the Blues who took a third
minute lead through a great goal by Laurence Wilson
whose mazy run left several Bury defenders in his wake
before slotting the ball past Alan Fettis and in off
the far post. City were well on top in the opening stages
but Gregg Blundenn and Jon Walters both failed to convert
chances into goals and were made to pay as Andy Bishop
headed home the equaliser unmarked to send the sides
in at the break level. Ten minutes after the interval
it was game over as Glynn Hurst's towered above the
City defence at the back post to head the Shakers in
front and Dwayne Mattis shot through a crowded penalty
area to seal the victory.
Assistant manager Graham Barrow was left to reflect
on the defeat by his former club. “The defeat
is disappointing because if you look at the tie against
Bury as a whole you�ll find we were in the driving seat
twice. We had a great start thanks to a Laurence Wilson
goal in the third minute, but we then missed chances
to have put the game to bed in the first 20 minutes.
The disappointment of conceding an equaliser before
the break seemed to hang over us into the second half
despite having had 15 minutes to clear our heads, and
that is a major disappointment. I think we�ve just got
to look at ourselves. I feel we basically threw the
tie away just after half-time.”
11 December 2006
WRIGHT HAILS GREAT PERFORMANCE
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Manager
Mark Wright was delighted after seeing his City
side despatch Lincoln City at the weekend and
in doing so record their biggest victory of
the season 4-1.
Roberto Martinez had given the Blues a first
half lead before Jon Walters doubled that advantage
soon after the break. The Imps pulled a goal
back but further headers from Gregg Blundell
and Laurence Wilson (or was that his shoulder!)
sealed the three points to lift City to 14th
in League Two.
• League
Two table
A delighted Wright said: “This
is a big step forward for us. We did a lot of
good things, got bodies in the box and put them
under pressure. Earlier in the season we were
creating chances but not putting them away.
Now we are scoring goals and it is an exciting
time for Chester City.
Gregg Blundell and Jon Walters worked their
socks off up front and I think it helps our
strikers that we have a good bench which puts
pressure on them to score goals. I am very pleased
to get a result against one of the top teams
in the league. It is a major scalp for us.”
City will be looking to carry
their current league form into Tuesday night’s
FA Cup second round replay against Bury at Deva
Stadium. The winners of the tie will pick up
£24,000 in prize money and entertain Championship
side Ipswich Town in round three in early January.
Picture © Evening
Leader – Laurence Wilson wraps up the points. |
CLUBS ADMIT CHARGE
Shrewsbury Town FC and Chester
City FC have both admitted charges of failing to ensure
that their players conducted themselves in an orderly
fashion and have requested personal hearings. The charges
relate to two separate incidents during and following
the match on Saturday 25 November.
Tha FA charge for both club’s is:
Charge: Two breaches of FA Rule E 20(a) – (1) In or
around the 58th minute, failing to ensure that their
players conducted themselves in an orderlty fashion
and refraining from provocative behaviour (2) After
the final whistle, failing to ensure that their players
and/or officials and/or employees conducted themselves
in an orderly fashion and refrained from threatening
and/or provocative behaviour.
8 December 2006
TOUGH TEST FOR CITY
High-flying Lincoln City
arrive at Deva Stadium tomorrow. The Imps lie second
in League Two, nine points behind runaway leaders Walsall,
and already boast an impressive seven wins on their
travels from Sincil Bank. City will be without the suspended
Ashley Westwood and on-loan winger Ryan Semple who is
not allowed to play against his actual club as part
of his loan deal. Lee Steele is available after serving
a one match ban though it remains to be seen whether
Mark Wright will stick with the front-two paining of
Gregg Blundell and Jon Walters who were both on the
scoresheet in the midweek win over Boston United.
VAUGHAN CHARGED
The FA website has announced
that Chester City Chairman Stephen Vaughn has been charged
with violent conduct in relation to a tunnel incident
following the match at Shrewsbury Town on 25 November.
He has until 21 December to respond.
Meanwhile the two clubs were
also charged with failing to ensure that their players
conducted themselves in an orderly fashion in relation
to two mass brawls during and following the same game.
They have until 13 December to respond.
6 December 2006
CLUB TO HONOUR HARRY
The
football club have announced they they are to rename
the North Terrace the Harry McNally Terrace in tribute
to the great ex-City manager who died almost two years
ago.
The renaming will take place at the home Boxing Day
match against Macclesfield Town. It’s also been
announced that the Chester City Supporters Trust have
indicated that they will be provide a commemorative
plaque in a prominent position in the terrace dedicated
to Harry on behalf all Chester City supporters. The
marking of a former City legend is a great gesture by
the club that will prove popular with all fans.
For many people Harry will be remembered for his tremendous
feat of keeping Chester in Division Three in the Macclesfield
years but it should not be forgotten that he also took
the club to promotion in 1985/86 and 8th in Division
Three (now League One) in 1988/89.
Obituary:
Harry McNally
BLUNDELL DOUBLE LIFTS CITY
Gregg
Blundell’s rich vein of goalscoring form continued
last night with two more goals as City saw off Boston
United 3-1 at Deva Stadium. Blundell took his tally
to six from his last seven appearances with a spectacular
second half strike followed by a penalty, strike partner
Jon Walters added a third before the Pilgrims grabbed
a consolation goal two minutes from time.
Manager Mark Wright was please with City’s second
half showing. He said: “The first half was a battle
where both teams were fighting against the elements.
However, in the second half we settled and thoroughly
deserved our win.
Gregg Blundell scored an outstanding goal to open the
scoring, and his partnership with Jon Walters looked
extremely good, and it was pleasing that Jon grabbed
a goal towards the end.”
The win lifted City one place in League Two and are
the Blues are home again on Saturday when second placed
Lincoln City come to Deva Stadium. The Imps boast an
impressive away record with seven wins from ten matches
so far on their travels.
• League
Two table
Picture © Evening Leader
5 December 2006
BLUNDELL SET TO RETURN
Gregg
Blundell will be available again for tonight’s
home game against struggling Boston United after serving
a one match ban. After a barren spell in front of goal
Blundell has notched four goals in his last six appearances
and will be keen to keep the run going as City look
for three more points to move them nearer mid-table.
The Pilgrims currently lie next to bottom of League
two with just one league win away from York Street this
season, their last outing at the one club below them
Macclesfield Town 3-2. They also suffered an off-filed
blow this week when they had a planning application
for a new ground thrown out by Boston Borough Council
which leaves the club’s future hanging in the
balance.
Picture © Evening Leader
3 December 2006
FA CUP DRAW
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Following
today’s draw, should City beat Bury in their
second round replay they will play Championship
side Ipswich Town at Deva Stadium on the weekend
of 6/7 January 2007. The club are due to play
Grimsby Town in a League Two match that weekend. |
SUSPENSIONS
Lee Steele’s red
card on Saturday has earned him an immediate automatic
one match ban which will see him miss the visit of Boston
United on Tuesday night. Meanwhile Ashley Westwood will
miss Saturday’s visit from Lincoln City after
picking up his fifth yellow card at Bury.
2 December 2006
BLUES FORCE A REPLAY AS STEELE SEES RED
Chester
and Bury both go into the hat for tomorrow’s FA
Cup third round draw after the sides fought out a 2-2
draw at Gigg Lane this afternoon.
All four goals came in a pulsating ten minute second
half spell. City took the lead on 63 minutes through
Lee Steele after on the-loan striker had come on at
the break. Andy Bishop leveled within three minutes
and then Richie Baker gave the home side the lead four
minutes later.
The Blues bounced back however and Steele score again
on 73 minutes only to receive a second yellow card for
his goal celebration after jumping the perimeter wall
to join the City fans. The ten men of Chester hung on
for the last 17 minutes, plus a whopping seven minutes
added time to force a replay back at Deva Stadium on
Tuesday 12 December at 19:45hrs.
Manager Mark Wright blasted referee
Woolmer over his decision to send-off Steele. He said:
He said: “The sending-off was poor. It was unacceptable.
I will probably get into trouble for saying it, but
referees like that ought to be assessed. Managers
get lambasted and fined so why shouldn’t referees?."
Wright went to on say: “There is still a lot
to do when they come to our place, but I thought the
way we adapted after Lee had been sent off was a credit
to the players. We even had a couple of chances when
we were down to 10 men. I thought Lee Steele took
his goals exceptionally well. He was outstanding when
he came on and showed what an excellent goal poacher
he is.”
The draw for the third round
will take place live on BBC TV tomorrow at approximately
15:10 after the televised tie between Salisbury City
and Nottingham Forest. The Bury/Chester ball is number
52.
Picture © Evening
Leader
1 December 2006
CITY LOOK FOR REPEAT PERFORMANCE
City
make their second trip of the season to Bury tomorrow
as they take on the Shakers in the second round of the
FA Cup. A repeat of the 3-1 league victory back in August
will do nicely and set the Blues up for a possible money-spinning
third round tie.
The two sides last met in the Cup at Gigg Lane in Chester’s
promotion season of 1985/86 when the home side ran out
2-0 winners. City will be without the services of Gregg
Blundell tomorrow as he serves a one match ban after
picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in last
weekend's feisty encounter at Shrewsbury. Bury are expected
to have on-loan Doncaster Rovers goalkeeper Andy Warrington
in the side after another on-loan keeper, Kasper Schmeichel,
returned to Manchester City.
Bury reached the second round stage after coming from
behind twice to beat Nationwide Conference side Weymouth
4-3 at home in a first round replay. The two sides had
earlier drawn 2-2 in a live televised tie.
Ahead of the tie manager Mark Wright
told the Evening Leader: “Tomorrow’s
cup tie is a big dangling carrot to sides like Bury
and Chester and I’m
excited about winning through to a third round tie
against a big club. None of my players should need
any motivation for the match at Bury – if you
can’t get excited
about an FA Cup tie you shouldn’t
be involved in football. It’s
now up to me to pick the right side for Saturday’s
game because it’s
really important to us. You never know what’s
around the corner, but it would be great to give our
chairman something back after all he has done for
the club, so we’ll
be doing all we can to win. We went to Bury earlier
in the season and did very well, but that counts for
absolutely nothing now because they have brought in
new acquisitions.”
If you’re
looking for a good omen, the referee for tomorrow’s
match is Mr K.A.Woolmer who took charge of City’s
last league win in October over Hartlepool United.
The winners of the second round tie will pocket £24,000.
• The
last time we met in August.
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