December 1997 News

31 December 1997
MATCH OFF
Saturday’s friendly match with East Fife at The Deva is off as the waterlogged pitch still hasn’t recovered from last Sunday’s league game with Scunthorpe. With storms and more rain predicted in the next few days, City had no option but to call off the fixture. Meanwhile a Chester X1 lost 2-0 in yesterday’s friendly with Manchester City reserves.

30 December 1997
MURPHY ON COMEBACK TRAIL

Striker John Murphy, whose career has been plagued by a knee injury, made yet another comeback today. He played in a game against Manchester City reserves. Matt Woods, Wayne Brown and Neil Fisher were also involved in the match.

29 December 1997
CITY LOOK EAST
With no Nationwide League fixture this Saturday, City have confirmed that they will play Scottish second division side East Fife in a friendly at the Deva Stadium. The match kick’s-off at 15:00hrs and admission will be £5.00 adults, £1.00 concessions.

CHRISTMAS DOUBLE WAS LONG TIME COMING
Last weeks back-to-back victories over Hull and Scunthorpe brought a Christmas double not often seen at City. Not since the 1980/81 season have the Blues taken maximum points over the festive period. Then, goals from Keith Fear, Steve Ludlam and Terry Cooke gave us a 3-2 victory at Blackpool on Boxing Day, with Cooke and Fear scoring again 24 hours later in the 2-1 victory over Chesterfield at Sealand Road.

22 December 1997
BLANK DAY FOR BLUES?
It looks as though Chester will be without a League game on January 3rd. City’s original opponents, Cardiff City, are involved in the third round of the FA Cup as are Leyton Orient’s League opponents that day Scunthorpe United. The Blues wanted to bring forward their fixture at the Deva which is scheduled for Tuesday March 3. There has been talk of a friendly game at the Deva against Scottish opponents East Fife!

18 December 1997
DUO BACK IN SQUAD

Both Gary Bennett and Matty Woods (left) have been included in the City squad for tomorrow’s League game at Colchester. Both came through last night’s reserve match with Scarborough at a snow covered Deva which City drew 1-1, Bennett scored City’s goal. Midfielder Neil Fisher is rated at only 50-50 for the game as he is struggling with an old thigh injury. City manager Kevin Ratcliffe has set the Blues a minimum target of 70 points. That’s 12 wins from the remaining 24 games.

Meanwhile there is encouraging news on midfielder Shaun Reid who saw a specialist yesterday and declared: “He’s told me outright that I’ll be playing again before the end of the season – I should get a few games in.” That’s just the news all City fans have been waiting for.

16 December 1997
GIVING THE YOUNGSTERS A CHANCE
Kevin Ratcliffe is using tomorrow night’s home reserve game with Scarborough to take a look at a few of City’s new breed of promising youngsters. Andy Shelton, Scott Thompson, Scott Williams and Darren Wright should be getting a run out along with Matt Woods and Gary Bennett who are out to prove their fitness before Friday’s trip to Colchester.

15 December 1997
RATCLIFFE CLEARED BY FA
The Football Association will not be taking any further action against manager Kevin Ratcliffe after claims he ’racially abused’ former trainee James Hussaney.

BACK IN CONTENTION
City players Gary Bennett and Gary Shelton have shaken on the effects of flu and are in contention for places at Colchester this Friday night. Matt Woods, who played for the Reserves last week, is also fighting for a place on the bench following his long lay-off through injury.

12 December 1997
BACK TO LEAGUE ACTION

It’s back to League action as City take on Darlington tomorrow at the Deva looking to improve on their current form following three successive defeats. An embarrassing 1-2 reverse in their last League game at bottom club Doncaster Rovers was followed by cup defeats at the hands of Wrexham and Scunthorpe United.

The flu bug which has affected several first team players seems to have now passed by with only Gary Bennett still suffering. City will be without midfielder Chris Priest as he beginning a three match ban tomorrow after picking up his fifth yellow card against Swansea City. Gary Shelton may be in line for a recall or Neil Fisher may switch to his more customary midfield role.

Although near the bottom, Darlington still like to play passing football and tomorrow’s game will be a stern test for City.

If you’re going to the match please feel free to send in a report.

9 December 1997
MATT ON COMEBACK TRAIL
Defender Matt Woods makes a welcomed comeback tonight playing for the City reserves in a re-arranged match at Wigan Athletic. He’s expected to play 45 minutes of the game. The versatile defender can play in defence or in midfield, has been out for three months with a knee ligament injury, suffered in the Blues’ win at Cardiff City.

8 December 1997
CITY LOOK TO BOUNCE BACK
Chester City travel to Scunthorpe United tomorrow for their first round match in the Auto Windscreens Shield. The Blues will be looking to bounce back following Friday’s FA Cup disappointment at the hands of Wrexham. No injuries were reported from the game, though a flu bug is sweeping through the club. I’d expect the manager to rest several players for this one, before City take on Darlington at the Deva on Saturday.

TROUBLE IN CITY CENTRE
Police made 34 arrests following trouble before and after Friday night’s match, including 12 for affray after fighting broke out before the game in Watergate Street.

Sgt Keith Sutton, of Chester police, said there had been several isolated incidents both before, during and after the game. He explained that many Wrexham fans had been dropped off in Handbridge and made their way into town via The Groves. At one stage police had been aware of a group of 200 supporters walking along Pepper Street and up Bridge Street. The group split up into smaller groups with some going down Watergate Street and other making their way up Northgate Street and down past the Princess Street bus exchange.

“It was a case of the match being spoilt by the minority,” he said. “It is always the minority that cause the problems – the majority of groups were OK.”

2 December 1997
PROTECTING THEIR INVESTMENT
Chester City and Wrexham are looking into the prospect of jointly financing a pitch cover to help ensure Friday night’s FA Cup clash goes ahead. Weather forecasts for the end of the week aren’t promising, there may even be a postponement, and with both clubs set to receive £75,000 from television rights it makes sense to get together and share costs.

CITY AT DONCASTER TONIGHT

Chester will be looking to pick up maximum points at struggling Doncaster tonight (weather permitting). Belle Vue is one of the Blues happier hunting grounds with victories there on our last four visits. Donny manager Danny Bergara will not be there tonight though, he’s had enough of the fans demonstrations and will be watching another game instead. Former City player Ian Helliwell is currently in the Doncaster squad and looks set to play tonight.

Chester City (from): Brown, Jenkins, Fisher, Richardson, Whelan, Alsford, Bennett, Priest, Rimmer, Flitcroft, Thomas, McDonald, Davidson, Jones, Shelton.
Doncaster Rovers (from): Davis, Sanders, Smith, Cunningham, Brookes, Gore, Mike, Ireland, Dobbin, Helliwell, Moncrieffe, McDonald, Pell, Hilton.

Webmaster

Back | Top