30 July 2005
HEAVY DEFEAT FOR CITY
Chester lost their latest pre-season match heavily at League One side Blackpool 6-0, it’s the first time City have failed to score in their pre-season build-up. Two of the goals came from ex-City striker John Murphy. The Blues, two down at the break, were reduced to ten men two minutes later as Abdou El Kholti was dismissed for a professional foul.

City fielded a strong side and also gave a trial to goalkeeper Clint Davies and he saved a second half penalty when the score was 3-0, however the defence conceded three goals in the final six minutes to leave manager Keith Curle plenty to think about before next Saturday’s opening League Two fixture at Peterborough United.

Chester City have been given permission to open their doors to fans once again following a meeting of the Ground Safety Advisory Group

Members of the Group, which also includes representatives of the emergency services, and Chester City FC, heard that Cheshire County Council – the licensing authority – were satisfied with safety works completed and have lifted the Prohibition Order.

The capacity of the stadium has been increased to 6,099. The current revised limit of 5,489 has come about because the ‘S’ factor has been set at 0.9 (maximum is 1), therefore, the club can effectively admit nine tenths of the capacity. The ground has both a ‘P’ (physical) and ‘S’ (Safety) factor assigned to it. If things go to plan over the next couple of months then both the P and S factors can hopefully return to 1 and the full capacity may then be used.

Ian Luxton, Head of the authority’s Regulatory Services said: “We have had a good meeting with Mr Vaughan and the chairman has signed an undertaking that spectator safety will be given priority attention in the future Also communications between the management of Chester City Football Club and Cheshire County Council will improve. Hopefully when that becomes evident the safety group will be able to recommend that the ground safety factor is returned to full capacity.”

Two goals from Ryan Lowe (left) and a third from Ben Davies gave City a 3-1 win at TNS in their latest pre-season friendly last night. Once again there was a chance to have a look at his squad with no fewer than 18 players taking some part in the game, this included appearances off the bench from two of last season’s youth/reserve side, Paul Rutherford and James Scales.

Four of the squad however missed the game through injury. Phil Bolland has had stitches following a clash at Droylsden on Saturday. Michael Branch has a groin strain, David Artell has a knee injury and Marcus Richardson is showing signs of flu.

Chester chairman Steve Vaughan will be reeling after receiving a double setback yesterday.

Firstly after conducting an inspection of Deva Stadium, the County Council refused to lift the Prohibition Order on the ground. All the work on the turnstiles, CCTV cameras, exit gates and crush barriers has all been completed, but there is now a query regarding stewarding and therefore the Stadium Licence has not been awarded. Another inspection is planned for next week. Tomorrow’s game against Droylsden will go ahead at the Butchers Arms ground, City had been hopeful of staging it at home.

As if this wasn’t enough, Dave Burford, the City’s general manager resigned from his position. Burford is the brother-in-law of Vaughan and has been at the club for three years. He told the Chronicle: “I’ve resigned due to personal reasons. I’ve had three enjoyable years at Chester and I wish Stephen Vaughan and the club all the best for the future.”

Gregg Blundell opened his Chester account as the Blues won their second tour game 5-2 at St Blazey last night. City took the lead through a second minute penalty after Ben Davies had been upended in the box. Ryan Lowe converted the spot kick.

Lowe added a second on 17 minutes following good work from Scott McNiven. The Blues doubled their lead after the break thanks to goals from Gregg Blundell and Justin Walker.

City then conceded two quick goals from the home side before substitute, University College of Chester Sports Scientist Dr. Stuart Bruce Low added the fifth, and best goal, ten minutes from time.

A second pre-season goal from trialist Avun Jephcott was just enough to give the Blues a win at Burton Albion on Saturday. Over 1,300 fans turned out for the first-ever match at the Brewers new impressive, though not quite finished, Pirelli Stadium. The majority will have left disappointed though after Jephcott’s second-half close range strike from a Michael Branch cross gave City the honours.

Manager Keith Curle gave a debut to recent signing Gregg Blundell (left) who played the first 45 minutes but didn’t appear on the pitch following the break after picking up a slight knock.

The Blues now embark on a short tour of Cornwall and Devon that will include matches at Tavistock AFC on Tuesday (19:00hrs) and St Blazey on Wednesday night (19:15hrs).

Membership fees are the same for last season and are as follows: Adult £12.00. Under 18/oap/unemployed £9.00, Overseas (outside Europe) £15.00. • You can download a PDF membership form here. Forms for the annual Exiles Prediction Competition are now also available and can be downloaded from here.

City have the honour of being the opposition for the first match at Burton Albion’s new £6.4m Pirelli Stadium tomorrow. All four sides of the ground will be open for the occasion with City fans being housed in the East Stand. Admission prices are £10.00 for adults, £8.00 for pensioners and £3.00 for juniors.

The match, City’s third in pre-season, kick’s-off at 15:00hrs and Blues fans going are urged to arrive in plenty of time as a large crowd can be expected. It’s been a race against time to get the ground completed in time for the match but everything is now in place. Turnstiles will open at 13.30hrs, with access to the ground temporarily restricted to the new Princess Way entrance.

The Pirelli Stadium is only a short distance from the former ground at Eton Park and directions can be found here.

Chester fans will get a chance to see Keith Curle’s new-look side tonight when the Blues travel to play at Rainworth Miners’ Welfare. The home side play in the Abacus Lighting Central Midlands League and the match has been arranged through the friendship of Curle and Welfare manager Rudy Funk. Tonight’s encounter is scheduled to be refereed by Premiership official Uriah Rennie, City fans last saw him at our game at Moss Rose in January. The game at Kirklington Road kick’s-off at 19.30hrs, with admission £3.00, concessions £1.00, and a matchday programme also at £1.00. City follow this with a game at Burton Albion on Saturday, kick-off 15:00hrs. This occasion marks the opening of the Brewers new Pirelli Stadium and a large crowd is expected for the occasion.

UK Sameday Limited as part of their Official Sponsorship of Chester City Football Club would like to make this offer to the parents of all junior fans.

As a parent of three young children, I can understand that the cost to replace replica shirts season after season is far from cheap. New Sponsors or new kit Manufacturers now seem to be the norm, not just at Chester City but throughout the Football Industry.

UK Sameday Ltd are giving away FREE 200 replica shirts for the forthcoming season.

To claim your FREE UK Sameday sponsored Chester City replica shirt you need to be one of the first 200 Junior Season Ticket Holders.

When you receive your Season Ticket you will also receive a voucher that can be exchanged for a new replica shirt at the Club Shop (subject to availability).

UK Sameday Limited are honoured to announce that they will be Chester City Football Club’s official club sponsors for the 2005/2006 season.

UK Sameday Limited are a local Express Courier Company who started trading 15 years ago from a back bedroom in Hawarden. Today they have their HQ in Sandycroft, Deeside with a further 127 Depots across the UK & Ireland through their Partnership in the APC Overnight Network.

The Company is owned by Paul Baker, who is a born and bred Cestrian, who has followed The Blues through thick and mostly thin from his youth, when he stood on the Sealand End with his mates from Handbridge. Today he is a North Terrace Season Ticket holder who still stands on the terracing with those same mates and will continue to do so despite the banter he will get from them because of this.

Chester City has always been his number one passion even on occasions to the determent of his Family and Business. For Paul it does not get any better than this, the chance to help the Club he has always supported since a boy was just a pipe dream but without the help of so many it would still have remained one therefore Paul would like to thank the many people who have made it possible, all the Staff at UK Sameday Ltd for their dedication, all the Customers for their loyalty, Gary Owen at Queensferry Sports for talking him into buying the most expensive replica shirt……ever., his Friends, Family and especially his Partner, Louise and his children, Jack, Hannah and Harry for their patience and understanding. And finally he would like to thank Stephen Vaughan and Dave Burford for their continued support of our Club and to wish Keith Curle and all the squad every success for the forthcoming season.

Come on City!

Doncaster Rovers striker Gregg Blundell will sign a two-year deal with Chester City, subject to a medical. City will be paying a club record transfer fee, believed to be £105,000 for the former Northwich Victoria forward.

Chester City: (first half): Harrison, Vaughan, El Kholti, Dimech, Welch, Maxwell, Davies, Walker, Branch, Richardson, Milligan.

Local company UK Sameday Ltd will be unveiled this afternoon as the new club sponsor for the 2005/06 season. The company is owned by life long City fans Paul Baker. UK Sameday Ltd are a local Express Courier Company, set up by Paul, who started trading 15 years ago fom a back bedroom of a house in Hawarden. Today they have their HQ in Sandycroft, Deeside with a further 127 depots across the UK & Ireland through their Partnership in the APC Overnight Network.

Manager Keith Curle is four players away from completing his squad for next season, and two of those players could be Mansfield Town defender Dave Artell and Doncaster Rovers striker Gregg Blundell.

After the new-look Blues had completed their first week of pre-season training, Curle said: “I’m four players away from what I want. There’s been a massive turnaround in events since I walked into the football club. Now the jigsaw puzzle is being put back together and I’m a couple of pieces short. I’d like a striker, goalkeeper, a central defender, a midfield player and possibly one other.

City fans were under the impression that Artell had signed from Mansfield Town a couple of weeks ago after he was pictured with other new recruits in a Chester shirt. That was premature though as the Stags claimed City had made an illegal approach for the player, an acquisation strongly denied then by City general manager David Burford. However, it appears that the clubs have now reached agreement and the transfer may be completed soon.

City chairman Stephen Vaughan said: “The deal has been agreed with Mansfield and all the paperwork completed. We have deposited the fee with the Football League as we were requested to do. It’s been a drawn-out affair, but at last we have reached a conclusion to the transaction. Thankfully David will be able to join the squad early next week.”

The home pre-season game against Stoke City on Tuesday 12 July has been called off. The official Stoke City website says the match has been postponed for safety reasons as the Deva is not yet in possession of a safety certificate for the 2005/6 season. Work is currently taking place to upgrade the turnstiles, CCTV system alterations, as well as other public area improvements.

No new date will be arranged though the game will now take place behind closed doors.

City will now start their pre-season campaign with the match at Rainworth Miners’ Welfare on Thursday 14 July. The game at Kirklington Road, kick’s off at 19.30hrs with admission £3.00, concessions £1.00, and a matchday programme also at £1.00.

• Pre-season friendlies

City have agreed to switch their home friendly match against Blackpool on Saturday 30 July from Deva Stadium to Bloomfield Road after the Lancashire clubs home pre-season match against Sheffield United was cancelled leaving them without a home friendly. The game will kick-off at 15:00hrs.

A club spokesman told the official Blackpool website: “We would like to thank Chester for agreeing to switch the game to Bloomfield Road at such short notice. They fully understood our reasons and we are very grateful.”

Chester’s pre-season campaign will kick-off on Tuesday 12 July with a home match against Stoke City (19:45hrs). With the switch of the Blackpool fixture this is now currently the only scheduled home match for City fans (there were four last year).