January 2001 News

31 January 2001
TROPHY DEFEAT
City lost 2-0 at Port Vale last night ending their run in this seasons LDV Vans Trophy. Goals from Wilkinson (21) and Naylor (65) were enough to see off City who put up a brave fight throughout and created several chances of note against a side, we mustn't forget, are two divisions above us. Steve Whitehall missed the game though injury and fans will be hoping he can return in time for this Saturday's home FA Trophy clash with St Albans City.

30 January 2001
CITY IN ACTION TONIGHT
For the third time of asking City travel to Vale Park tonight for the second round LDV Vans Trophy match. A frozen pitch followed by a waterlogged one have caused the game to be called off at very short notice for the past two weeks. Striker Steve Whitehall misses tonight's match with a rib injury so City manager Graham Barrow may opt to start with either new signing Jimmy Haarhoff after his lively appearance during the latter stages of Saturday's home victory over Morecambe, or Darren Wright. Defender Carl Ruffer returns to the side after suspension.

The game is played to a finish tonight with a golden goal or penalties deciding the tie if the score is level after 90 minutes. If you're going to match and want to check with Port Vale that the game is on you can call them on (01782) 655800.

29 January 2001
CITY ON THE TV
Next Thursday (1 Feb) sees the launch of 'Non-League Football, The National Game' a weekly television programme on Sky Sports One dedicated to non-league football. The first programme has chosen Stevenage v Rushden as their match of the week, but will also feature City's game with Morecambe as well as other games involving Conference clubs.

BAN FOR CARDEN
Paul Carden's red card on Saturday has cost him a one match ban and he misses the clash with top-of-the-table Yeovil Town on 10 February.

PHOTOGRAPHER LEAVES
Dale Miles has left the Deva Stadium after eight years service as the football club's official photographer.

ANOTHER DEFEAT
Still without a win all season City's youth team, under the leadership of Gordon Hill, lost again on Saturday, 4-0 at home to Tranmere Rovers.

26 January 2001
NEW DATES FOR THE DIARY
City have rearranged the following Conference fixtures. 27 February – Boston United (H), 13 March – Southport (A), 27 March – Telford United (A). The game at Dover Athletic is provisionally booked for 3 April.

24 January 2001
ENGLAND'S No.1
[Wayne Brown]

Congratulations to City keeper Wayne Brown who has been selected for the England semi-pro squad who take on Wales in a friendly at Rushden's Nene Park on 13 February (ko 19:30hrs). He and Scott Cooksey (Hereford) will be competing for the 'keeper's shirt. England manager John Owens, who lives in Chester, named his squad today but there was disappointment for Paul Beesley, Paul Carden, Chris Blackburn and defender Matt Doughty who all missed out after taking part in a trial for the squad last month.

The full England squad named today is: Brown (Chester City), Cooksey (Hereford Utd), McIntyre, Ryan (both Doncaster Rovers), Jackson, Mustafa, Underwood (all Rushden & Diamonds), Pitcher, Patterson (both Kingstonian), Goodliffe (Hayes), Drummond (Morecambe), Brodie (Scarborough), Marsh (Southport), West (Woking).

For those City fans who would like to make another visit to the excellent Nene Park for 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.

Rushden & Diamonds Football Club, Nene Park, Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire NN9 5QF

GOOD LUCK ANDY
Midfielder Andy Shelton has joined Harrogate Town after a successful loan spell with the Unibond first division club. Andy's League appearances this season were limited to just three from the substitutes bench, but it may still come as a surprise to some that the club have let him go. Always there for a chat in the social club after matches, Andy was also a strong supporter of many ISA social events, especially during the early days of its formation.

BILL PENDERGAST'S SCORING RECORD
Congratulations to Jermain Defoe the Bournemouth striker (on loan from West Ham) who's 10th goal in ten successive games last night created a post-war scoring record beating the previous best of nine games held by John Aldridge (Tranmere) and Kevin Russell (Wrexham). Defoe's ten games includes a cup match. However two other players are now claiming to have scored in ten successive games, BBC Radio Solent report that Southampton's Ron Davies scored 12 goals in 10 consecutive league games in 1966/67. And Manchester City's official website report that Billy McAdams scored 11 in 10 successive games in the 1957/58 season.

It is widely reported that Defoe now has his sights set on Dixie Dean's record of 12 successive scoring matches recorded in the early 1930s. What isn't being publicised much is the fact that this Dean record, which were all League games, is also shared with Chester forward Bill Pendergast (pictured left) who scored 15 goals in 12 successive Division Three (North) matches in the 1938/39 season. All these goals were scored from open play and took place between 10 September and 3 December 1938. In fact, Pendergast, who only stayed at Chester for one season, also scored in an FA Cup tie on 26 November therefore actually scoring 16 goals in 13 successive matches, so with Defoe scoring in a cup match Bill's is the record he should be aiming for.

Bill Pendergast's record for the 1938/39 season 16 goals in 13 successive games:

Sep 10 Stockport County (h) 4-3 scored 3 goals
Sep 17 Accrington Stanley (a) 3-2 scored 1 goal
Sep 24 Barnsley (h) 2-1 scored 1 goal
Oct 1 Oldham (a) 3-1 scored 2 goals
Oct 8 Halifax (h) 5-1 scored 1 goal
Oct 15 Gateshead (h) 2-2 scored 1 goal
Oct 22 Wrexham (a) 2-3 scored 1 goal
Oct 29 York City (h) 5-1 scored 1 goal
Nov 5 Rochdale (a) 2-5 scored 1 goal
Nov 12 Rotherham United (h) 1-4 scored 1 goal
Nov 19 Doncaster (a) 1-4 scored 1 goal
Nov 26 Bradford City (FAC) (h) 3-1 scored 1 goal
Dec 3 Crewe Alex (a) 2-0 scored 1 goal

23 January 2001
MATCH OFF
Tonight's match at Vale Park has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. The postponement came late @ 17:00hrs. The game will now take place next Tuesday 30 January which will mean yet another postponement for the away Conference match at Telford United scheduled for that night. City now have four League fixtures to rearrange; the home match with Boston United and away visits to Southport, Dover Athletic and Telford United.

DOUGHTY RETURNS
City defender Matt Doughty has recovered from his hamstring injury sustained at Blackburn and could line-up up for City in tonight's match with Port Vale. Manager Graham Barrow is also expected to name recent signing from Birmingham Jimmy Haarhoff on the bench.

21 January 2001
PORTER SIDELINED
Andy Porter will be out of action for a month following a knee operation, which was worse than first feared. A big disappointment to Porter is missing out on a game against his old club Port Vale in tomorrow night's LDV Vans Trophy match. With Carl Ruffer also missing (though suspension), and Matt Doughty still suffering a hamstring problem, it's a chance for the fringe players like David Kerr to impress.

NEW BOOK – PHOTOGRAPHS WANTED
Chas Sumner, author of "On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City Football Club 1885�1997" and the sequel "Official Review of the Season 1998�99" is currently compiling a book of historical images of Chester City for publication next year. He would be interested to hear from anyone with old photographs or printed memorabilia and can be contacted at chas.sumner@chester-city.co.uk Thanks to all those who have been in touch so far. An acknowledgement will be printed in the book for all material used.

19 January 2001
DOVER MATCH OFF
Following a pitch inspection at Dover at 12 noon today, tomorrow's Conference match has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. City, who trained in indoor facilities at Wigan yesterday were due to travel to Kent tomorrow morning.

FIXTURE SWITCH
City's match at Southport in the Nationwide Variety Club Trophy will now take place on Tuesday 6 February. The home game with Boston scheduled for that night will now be rearranged.

17 January 2001
LDV TROPHY
Last night's match at Port Vale, postponed due to a frozen pitch, had been rescheduled for next Tuesday 23 January (19:45hrs). The game scheduled that night at Southport in the Nationwide Variety Trophy will now be played at a later date. Meanwhile, a proposed friendly match at Rhyl tonight has also been called of due to a frozen pitch.

NEW APPOINTMENT
The club have announced that Matthew Eddy is to be their new Public Relations and Community Promotions Manager.

15 January 2001
FA UMBRO TROPHY DRAW

The draw for the fourth round of the FA Umbro Trophy made this afternoon has seen Chester City been given a home tie to St Albans City who play one division below the Conference in the Ryman League Premier Division. The Saints beat Newport County 1-0 on Saturday to reach this stage.
•St Albans City website.

CITY SIGN STRIKER
19-year-old Zambian born striker Jimmy Haarhoff has signed for the Blues from Birmingham City. Haarhoff had a trial at Chester just before Christmas and impressed manager Graham Barrow then. �He looked good on trial here,� said Barrow. �He�s small, plays up front and he�s very quick. He went back to Birmingham and he�s had his contract sorted out and now wants to sign for us.�

14 January 2001
The LDV TROPHY
Chester will be at home to either Shrewsbury or Darlington in the quarter-final of the LDV Vans Trophy should they win at Port Vale next Tuesday night.

YOUTH TEAM
Unfortunately, reports in last weeks Non League Paper indicating a win for the youth team proved to be a misprint. The team has yet to win all season and normal service was resumed yesterday with a 5-2 thrashing at home by Stockport County.

12 January 2001
VALE REDUCE PRICES
The price of admission at next Tuesday's LDV Vans Trophy match at Port Vale had been reduced. To see the game will cost adults £10, senior citizens £5 and children and disabled supporters £2.

TWO UP FROM THE CONFERENCE? – PERHAPS NOT!
It looks like things aren't so cut and dried regarding the second promotion place from the Conference to the Football League. Following their meeting with club chairmen the Conference have issued the following statement.

Nationwide Conference Announcement:

Following a meeting of Club Chairmen, the Nationwide Conference were extremely disappointed that The Football League are not yet able to confirm the agreement to increase the number of promotion places from the Conference to The Football League. The Conference find this position totally unacceptable.

It is understood that The Football League have not defined their decision making process. The Conference are urgently seeking a joint meeting with the Football Association and The Football League for the purpose of reaching a satisfactory conclusion that allows additional promotion from the Conference at the end of the season 2001/2002. Given the current progress both on and off the field, it is vital that an early decision to complete the agreement is made in order for the Conference clubs to continue with planned investment in stadium development, commercial activities, and playing staff.

<Ends>

REPLAY DATE
Should tomorrow's FA Trophy match with Doncaster Rovers end in a draw then the replay will take place on either Tuesday or Wednesday next week. This will mean the postponement of the LDV match at Vale Park.

BLACKBURN CROWD FIGURE
According to Blackburn Rovers Chester had 3,715 fans singing their hearts out in the Darwen End on Saturday. A tremendous turnout. Such was the unexpected size of the following that the match kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes.

FINNEY MOVES
Striker Steve Finney has made his move to Altrincham permanent following a successful month on loan from Chester.

ISA MEETING
The next members meeting of the ISA will take place next Monday 15 January at the usual venue the Royal Mail Club in Station Road, Chester – the meeting starts at 19:30hrs. Former players Grenville Millington and Bob Delgado will be the guest speakers.

9 January 2001
BANS FOR RUFFER & FISHER
Defender Carl Ruffer has received a one match ban following his booking at Blackburn on Saturday – he will now miss the game at Dover on 20 January; meanwhile Neil Fisher is suspended for this Saturday's FA Trophy home match with Doncaster Rovers. Matt Doughty is also extremely doubtful with a hamstring injury.

LDV VANS TROPHY
City will travel to Port Vale in the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy after the Valiants knocked Notts County out last night. According to the official Vale website the game takes place next Tuesday 16 January.

8 January 2001
CITY LADIES FLY THE FLAG
Congratulations to the CCFC ladies who did the city proud as they played Northern Premier team Coventry City FC in the 3rd round of the equivalent ladies competition at Upton County Officers Club last Sunday and, after sustaining early pressure (and little else), dispatched them back to the midlands with a 3-0 defeat. They now play National Premier side Liverpool in the fourth round away next Sunday 14 Jan. Anybody wishing to join the growing crowd following the girls should contact Wayne Gresty on Chester (01244) 383201 for more details. If the girls are successful next Sunday, they stand to play Fulham at home in the fifth, the only professional girls team in the land and they also have two England internationals and a Norwegian international – Bring 'em on, the cup dream is still alive! (Steve Maddocks)

7 January 2001
BRAVE CITY GO OUT FIGHTING

Well, City are out of the FA Cup for another year but they put up a magnificent performance at Ewood Park earning a standing ovation from the home fans at the final whistle as Graham Barrow's men bowed out 2-0. Things could have been so different of course if Steve Whitehall's 68th minute 'goal' had not harshly been ruled out for pushing – no Rovers players were complaining when the ball hit the net to sent over 3,000 City fans, who's sung their hearts out for 90 minutes, delirious. Rovers were obviously caught out be the size of the away following ordering the game to be delayed by 15 minutes. Following the defeat City manager Barrow stated: "I was disappointed with the disallowed goal, but that's the sort of thing that swing's Cup ties. It's unfortunate that the decision was against us. I didn't see a push but the referee unfortunately is the sole arbitrator.

5 January 2001
TALK SPORT
City chairman Terry Smith is the subject of this afternoon's In The Boardroom programme on Talk Radio with Brian Moore, frequency 1089/1053 MW. The broadcast goes out 14:00-16:00hrs. You can also phone and email questions in to the programme. The phone number is 08700 40 50 60, email address on the website. You can also hear the interview via their website.

4 January 2001
GRAHAM BARROW'S BLACK AND WHITE ARMY....
Chester have confirmed that they will be playing in a new black and white striped kit on Saturday.

TROPHY FINAL
This season's F.A. Umbro Trophy Final will take place on Sunday 13 May at Villa Park, Birmingham.

3 January 2001
NEW KIT FOR SATURDAY
Well, the new kit has arrived at Chester but the club aren't letting on yet just what it is. It's believed to be either black and white stripes or all yellow. Both City's current kits clash with Rovers' blue and white shirts. City did play in sky blue and black at Rushden at the start of the season by manager Graham Barrow ruled out that kit. Meanwhile City have seven coaches booked for the trip on Saturday with many hundreds of fans expected to make their own way to Blackburn.

WOODS IN RACE TO BE FIT

Matty Woods, who lives a two minute drive from Ewood Park, is to see a specialist today in order to have the chance to get in the squad for Saturday. Woods fractured an eye socket and damaged nerves in his jaw after slipping when getting out of the bath at home three weeks ago. He then got a face injury at Hednesford and x-rays revealed the extent of the damage from the original fall. Doctors have ordered the defender to wear a gumshield to protect the nerves on Saturday.

2 January 2001
CITY SLUMP TO DEFEAT
Chester have dropped to 10th in the Conference following the 2-0 defeat at Hereford yesterday. Yeovil are now seemingly out of sight at the top, a massive 21 points ahead of City with the same number of games played. Manager Graham Barrow was left fuming and accused some of his players of a lack of self-motivation.

�They won�t have a problem motivating themselves for the Blackburn game,� said Barrow. �But what I can�t understand is why they can accept the way they perform like they did yesterday. People look at the manager to motivate the players all the time but you�ve got to ask for some kind of response from the players. We have too many players who don�t want to get involved � and that worries me. Players are also looking across to the bench for what they should do next.�

Striker Mark Beesley is City's only injury doubt for the big cup game at Blackburn on Saturday. He was taken off yesterday suffering from a slight hamstring strain. Meanwhile club captain Andy Porter served his one match ban and will be available for selection on Saturday, providing he shakes off a thigh strain which caused him to miss the Hayes match. City chairman Terry Smith missed yesterday's defeat, he was at Norwich to see Rovers' 1-1 draw.

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