He's issued the following statement:

“At this stage I wish to remain anonymous. The reasons for this are many, not least of which is that I believe the club is bigger than and one person and personalities should not hinder the future of the club.

I do not want a 'profile' I simply want to give something back to the club which has given me so much pleasure in the past. Similarly, as a supporter I wish to continue supporting the club as best I can during this sensitive period.

Central to my decision is the spirit and success displayed on the pitch by the players under the guidance of Graham Barrow. Should Mr Smith replace the manager or sell any of the players then my offer to take over the club will immediately be withdrawn.

To the fans I would state quite simply this 'I am a fan, I live in the city and should I be in such a position I would consider any offers of assistance with the running of the club. This could be with organised supporters groups or individuals with something to offer.

Such assistance and co-operation I believe is vital particularly with the massive gaps developing daily between the big clubs and clubs the size of Chester City. The club is called Chester City Football Club and as such belongs to Chester. As supporters I feel you have a large part to play in the future of the club and I simply want to co-ordinate that future while trying to return the club to where it belongs.

There will be no false promises and no false dawns, just a club with a spirit, a club to be proud of and a club that serves the community of which it is a part.” <end>

Ruffer was rushed to hospital for stitches at half-time after a horrific challenge from Vics' Gregg Blundell. �Blundell went in with his studs and just followed through,� said the 26-year-old defender. �The challenge ripped my shin pad and it was painful at the time but it wasn�t really until half-time that I realised how bad it was. My sock was just soaked through with blood and when their doctor came to have a look he said I needed stitches and he actually drove me to the hospital. Thankfully it was just around the corner because I could have lost a lot more blood. I�ve never seen anything like it. You could actually see my shin bone and the wound was about two centimetres wide� [Evening Leader].

Ruffer is expected to be out for two weeks.

Despite dominating the match for long periods England were unable to break down a resolute Welsh defence. The closest effort came with a 71st minute disallowed goal from Terry Skiverton.

City manager Graham Barrow missed the game, he was watching next week's Conference opponents Telford United while chairman Terry Smith was spying on City's FA Trophy opponents Blyth, who drew 1-1 with Barrow.

England: Wayne Brown (Chester City) [sub Scott Cooksey, Hereford Utd 88m]; Terry Skiverton (Yeovil Town), Jason Goodliffe (Hayes), Tim Ryan (Doncaster Rov) [sub Paul Ellender, Scarborough 78m], Tarkan Mustafa (Rushden & Diamonds), Stewart Drummond (Morecambe), Geoff Pitcher, Gary Patterson (Kingstonian), Paul Underwood (Rushden & Diamonds) [sub Kevin McIntyre, Doncaster Rov 83m], Justin Jackson (Rushden & Diamonds), Warren Patmore (Yeovil Town) [sub Marc McGregor, Nuneaton Borough 78m]. Sub not used: Steve West (Woking).

The Ladies team are on good form at the moment and on Sunday they travelled to Leeds to represent Cheshire County FA in the Northern Counties Ladies Cup Competition. They were pitched up against Leeds City Vixens representing West Riding (the cup holders and currently sitting top of the Northern Combination League (one league above Chester, same as Coventry City who also fell to Chester in the FA Cup!!!). The girls promptly dispatched their opponents 4-1 with goals from Cally Reid (2), Rachael McKenzie and Sarah Tyson.

�Missing out on the week at Southampton is a big blow for me,� said Blackburn. �It couldn�t have come at a worse time but the gaffer�s trying to arrange it for another week. I�m also going to miss out against Northwich � my home town club on Saturday although I�ll be at the game.�

For those too young to remember, the trophy was fought for by the two last remaining clubs from outside the old First and Second divisions who'd advanced furthest in the FA Cup competition. Both Chester and Vale reached the fifth round that year. The Seals (as they were then) losing 1-0 at Wolves, and Vale 3-0 at Aston Villa.

The trophy was only played for on one more occasion, the following season when our forthcoming FA Trophy opponents Blyth Spartans beat Wrexham 3-2. As for the whereabouts of the magnificent '100oz solid silver' cup? that remains a mystery. Blyth organised an exhibition last year – their Centenary season – and tried to find out what happened to the cup then. The F.A. don't have it and they didn't get a response from Debenhams!

The draw in full: Burton Albion v Yeovil Town, Weymouth v Southport, Evesham United or Morecambe v Leigh RMI or Hereford United, Canvey Island v Stevenage Borough, Histon or Billericay Town v Telford United, Tiverton Town v Worksop Town, Chester City v Blyth Spartans, Matlock Town or Forest Green Rovers v Rushden & Diamonds.

�You�ve got to be happy with a home draw at this stage,� said City manager Graham Barrow. �We all know about Blyth�s cup tradition and it won�t be an easy game for us. But at least we haven�t been drawn away to Tiverton or Weymouth.�

Extracts from the letter, which appeared with the players wage packets, were printed in the Evening Leader: "You are the best players and the best team in the Conference and you should be at the top of the Conference and you should be winning cups not just playing in them. Lack of effort and lack of expecting greatness from yourselves is a disgrace to yourselves."

The players wrote "This was the response of Terry Smith to Chester City's exploits in the LDV Vans Trophy against second division Port Vale. This is the same team that has played six ties against league opposition losing only two, this one against Port Vale, and the other against Blackburn Rovers who are in play off position for the Premiership. No letters were given to the players after the Plymouth, Oxford or Hull City games, congratulating them on their performance in these games. This letter has just dented the morale of a club aiming to be together for promotion. The good of the team does not seem to be considered. The players were offered overnight accommodation for the away trip to Blackburn but they would have to get up at 6.00am for the Dover trip – not good preparation for a promotion pushing side."

Speaking in the Evening Leader Richardson said: �Being the PFA representative, I was fairly instrumental in keeping the players together during the administration period. We had to agree to have no appearance money or bonuses and if there�d been a few more players of a militant nature in the squad, the whole team could have broken up.

But we battled on and managed to survive although I think the off the field pressures took their toll on me – and it�s really gone downhill for me from there.We reached a compromise (on the settlement) last week and it�s no more trips over the Pennines to Chester.

For those City fans who would like to see, hopefully, both Darren and Wayne Brown play in the match, ticket details are as follows:

Seating – Adult £8.50, Concession £5.00, Under 12 £2.00
Standing – Adult £7.50 Concession £4.00 Under 12 £2.00

Tickets are now on sale from the Rushden & Diamonds Football Club Box Office, and can be purchased in person, postal applications or by telephone. Ticket Office telephone number (01933) 652936.