30 June 1997
ROD CHOOSES CHESTER ABOVE FRENCH GIANTS
New boy Rod Thomas shunned Scarborough – and Marseille – to sign for Chester City. And the former England U21 international believes he’s made the right decision.

“Chester have got a good footballing side and there’s no reason why we can’t be in the second division,” said Thomas, who completed his move from Carlisle to Chester on Friday. He was due to sign for Scarborough on Thursday but City chairman Mark Guterman and manager Kevin Ratcliffe acted swiftly to get their man.

“Scarborough wanted me and my agent was fixing me up with a trial at Marseille,” added the 26-year-old Londoner. But I found out about Chester’s interest in me two weeks ago and I was interested. I’m ambitious and I wouldn’t be here if the club wasn’t ambitious. They were one of the better sides we played last season and they were a little bit unlucky in the play-offs. I think they deserved to go up because they play good football.”

City missed out on the play-offs but Carlisle celebrated promotion to Division Two. Thomas played 33 times but felt he didn’t fit in with manager Mervyn Day’s game plan. “The sweeper style didn’t suit my game, but I think Chester’s style of play will suit me. I’m very positive in the way I play. I’m more of a creator than a goalscorer and I’ll be aiming to bring players into the game – and be in a winning side!”

Assistant manager Gary Shelton said: “Rod runs at players and he’ll add another dimension to our game. We are very pleased to sign him.”

The Thomas signing has also delighted The Blues chairman, who played a big part in bringing Thomas to The Deva. Guterman dealt with Thomas’ agent, Mel Stein – the man who looks after Paul Gascoigne. “We are delighted to sign him. We’ve beat off competition from other clubs and we still want to sign a couple of players before the start of the season.”

Neil Fisher can’t wait for the new season to kick off. Chester City’s ex-Bolton man struggled to make any impact in the Blues promotion push last season. And Fish can’t seem to put his finger on where it went wrong.

“It wasn’t a lack of confidence. I just don’t know what went wrong. I had a good first season with Chester and maybe I thought it was too easy. I then worked really hard and perhaps tried too hard, and that’s when things started going wrong. Then I tried to relax out on the field and that went against me too. I just couldn’t win. Now I’m really looking forward to the new season and just hope it’s nothing like the last one. I feel I’ve let a lot of people down, especially the manager and the lads. But it’s made me even more determined to get my form back.”

Fisher, who started only 19 league games last season, lost his central midfield berth following the arrival of hardman Shaun Reid. And with Reid and Chris Priest occupying the two midfield anchormen posts, Fisher fancies the role on the left wing. Kevin Noteman was freed and on-loan winger Sam Aiston has returned to Sunderland. The number 11 shirt is up for grabs – and Fisher wants it.

“I’d like to make the number 11 shirt my own, I fancy playing on the left side of midfield. That’s where I played when I first came to Chester and it’s my favourite position. I think that’s where Kevin Ratcliffe sees me playing and having a regular position might help my game.”

The versatile Fisher has played in central midfield, right midfield, left midfield, right back and left back. “Sometimes it doesn’t help you if you can play in different positions, I think it’s affected my game.”

Chester City will kick off, and sign off, the new season at home.

Lincoln are the visitors to The Deva on 9 August with a home clash against Scarborough completing their 1997/98 campaign. “It’s great to be home on the first day,” said City’s top scorer Andy Milner. “It’s better than last season, we were at Brighton on the first day, and it was hot down there.”

The Football League fixture computer has churned out a Boxing Day clash away at Hull while City’s return to Moss Rose, Macclesfield will be on 25 April.

Iain Jenkins spoke for the first time today about speculation linking him with a big money move.

“I’ve read that a lot of clubs are after me but I’ve heard nothing,” said Chester City captain Jenkins. “Chelsea, Aston Villa and Sunderland have all been mentioned but as far as I’m concerned I’m a Chester City player.”

Jenkins, who had an outstanding season as the Blues narrowly missed out on promotion, has just signed a new improved two year deal at the Deva. But the 24-year-old defender is now a wanted man after making a big impact on the international soccer scene with Northern Ireland. Jenkins, who only found out he was eligible to play for Bryan Hamilton’s side 10 weeks ago, has since become a regular. One B team game was followed up by a World Cup qualifier in Armenia and an end of season tour to Thailand.

“I can’t believe how things have turned out,”added Jenkins. “I was only finding my feet at the start of the season following the car crash and now there’s talk of a move to the Premiership. But that’s all it is at the moment – talk. Kevin Ratcliffe and Mark Guterman will look after my interests and I won’t be leaving Chester City unless it’s in the best interests of myself and the club.”

Jenkins, who kicked off his career with Everton, where he made six first team appearances, is ambitious and wants to play in the Premiership. His valuation is increasing all the time – especially after three faultless displays at right back with Northern Ireland. The cash-strapped Blues could easily demand a £200,000 plus fee for Jenkins, who has chalked up 126 league appearance in four seasons.

Versatile Jenkins is capable of playing anywhere along the back four as was City’s regular left back last season. But he could return to his favourite right back role next season with Ross Davidson unlikely to re-sign for the Blues. Davidson, who comes from London, has refused to sign a new contract. The former Sheffield United defender has been having talks with promoted Fulham. Chris Priest – City’s other pay rebel – hasn’t attracted any interest yet – and is expected to return to the Deva for pre-season training on July 2.

Ex-Everton striker Stuart Rimmer has become a victim of the current crisis at Goodison Park. Rimmer – Chester City’s record signing and record goalscorer – had hoped to attract Everton to the Deva for his testimonial match before the start of the season. But with Everton still searching for a new manager and a new sponsor, Rimmer’s match has been put on hold.

“It definitely won’t be pre-season,” said Rimmer, whose two spells at the club have totaled ten years. “I really don’t know what’s going to happen because I’d sorted out all the details with Joe Royle.”

Royle has since left Goodison and until the Toffeemen appoint a new manager, Rimmer will have to put his big match plans on hold. “Hopefully we can look to the end of next season,” added Rimmer, who has been given a new one year deal to stay at The Deva.

Southport-born Rimmer, 33 in October, played 28 times last season, scoring six goals. That took his record-breaking tally to 127 league goals for the Blues.

And Rimmer will aim to improve on that as he battles it out for a regular place in the starting line-up. Andy Milner – last season’s top scorer with 14 – and mid-season signing Rod McDonald were the main strike pairing last season. But things could change up front as City try to make it third time lucky in their bid to escape from Division Three. Rimmer, Milner and McDonald will also face the challenge of young guns John Murphy and Jonathan Jones.

And Blues boss Kevin Ratcliffe is desperate to sign another striker before the start of the season. Ratcliffe wants a 20-goal-a-season man but those kind of players don’t come cheap. Money is available to spend on new players but the transfer activity is unlikely to start until after the players return for pre-season training on July 2.

Two ex-Blues boys are still looking for new clubs. Kevin Noteman and skipper Peter Jackson were both released last season and have yet to sort themselves out. “It’s early days at the moment,” said fans’ favourite Jackson. “Most of the managers are away although I’ve had a couple of offers.”

Chris Priest is ready to put pen to paper – but not with Chester City. The Blues midfielder, who has said no to a new deal at the Deva, has far more pressing engagements.

“I’m getting married,” said Priest today, who will tie the knot with girlfriend Joanne in nine days time at Leigh Registry Office. “That’s my main concern at the moment. We’ve just come back from a family holiday in Alcudia and I’m getting married in nine days time. We’re not going on honeymoon so then I’ll be able to think about football.”

Priest has turned down an initial offer from Blues boss Kevin Ratcliffe. He wants more money. But the 23-year-old former Everton man still thinks he’ll be back at the Deva when the squad regroups on July 2. “I’ve had no phone calls from anyone although it’s been interesting reading all things about me on Teletext,” revealed Priest. There’s been all these things saying I’m leaving because I’m ambitious and want to play at a higher level. That certainly hasn’t come from me. Chester have made me an offer and I’m not accepting it but I think there is room for negotiations when I return. I’ve been told to return to pre-season training on July 2 and I’ll be getting myself fit for then.”

Priest will go on a week-to-week contract if he fails to hammer out a deal suitable to both himself – and the club. “I don’t want to leave Chester, I want to stay and we’ll just see what happens.”

Priest’s last game for City ended in double disappointment. He was sent off as the Blues were dumped out of the play-offs at Swansea. “It was a disappointing end to a disappointing season for me,” added Priest, who struggled with a thigh strain for the early part of the season. I wouldn’t like to think that the Swansea game was my last for Chester, but it does cross your mind.”

Priest is one of two players holding out for more money. Right back Ross Davidson, who had a tremendous season, has also refused to sign.

Striker Andy Milner is to re-sign for Chester City on a one-year contract. The 30-year-old Cumbrian has agreed terms with the Blues but the search for attacking options goes on. City assistant manager Gary Shelton confirmed this morning that Milner had committed himself to Chester for another season but stressed that a proven goalscorer was still the club’s number one priority.

“Andy had a good season last year in terms of goals and assists”, he said “It’s good news for us that he is staying. But hopefully we will also bring in another striker. That will be good for competition. We will have Andy, Stuart Rimmer, Rod McDonald, Jonathan Jones, John Murphy and someone else all battling for two places and that’s got to be good.”

Shelton said that enquiries had been made for one or two players and added: “We’re looking for someone who can stick the ball in the back of the net but so is everyone else. We missed out last year. Everyone knows the chances we created and we need to take more of them. Andy Milner is very unselfish and does create chances for others. He’s more of an all-round player than a natural goalscorer.”

Chester’s name had been linked with Mark Carter, released by second division champions Bury but the club have denied speaking to the player. Shelton said though:“Mark’s been released on a free and people have put two and two together but we haven’t spoken to him. It’s pure speculation. He does get goals. He got 16 or 17 last season and he’s experienced but he’s 36 and that could be a problem. We do have some money available for the right player but we might need to wheel and deal.”

Chester City’s promising young defender Mattie Woods is set to agree a new deal with the club this week.
The 20-year-old ex-Evertonian centre back is set to sign on Friday, assistant manager Gary Shelton confirmed today.

And the Blues received a double boost with the news that fellow 20-year-old, goalkeeper Wayne Brown, has also agreed a new deal.

Centre back Woods, a possible long-term replacement for Peter Jackson, and Brown, who arrived at the Deva from Weston super Mare as an understudy to Ronnie Sinclair, are expected to sign either one or two year deals. Said Shelton: “Matty has just broken into the team while Wayne had a couple of games last season. We were hoping both would stay because they are ones for the future.”

Veteran striker Stuart Rimmer has also pledged his future to Chester for another season while solid centre back Spencer Whelan has signed a two year deal. That leaves striker Andy Milner, Ross Davidson and Chris Priest still undecided.

Cumbrian-born 30-year-old Milner is thought to be considering a one-year offer, while Priest and Davidson have been offered two year deals.

Added Shelton: “They are three regular first team players so we are hoping they re-sign. But we haven’t heard anything yet. At the moment, you have got to think that is a negative sign but they do have two or three weeks to reply. We just have to wait until they come back from holidays. If they don’t sign, they go on to week-to-week arrangements.”

Ex-Evertonian Priest and ex-Sheffield United player Davidson have both been the subject of speculation regarding moves to top level clubs. But Shelton said: “We have had no offers. There are lots of rumours flying about but we have had no enquiries and no bids for any of our players.”