October 1999 News

28 October 1999
TEAM NEWS FOR TOMORROW
There's a doubt about Paul Berry and Matt Doughty for tomorrows game at Whyteleafe, both have been ill this week. Darren Wright is expected to be fit following injury. City have now received International clearance to sign Angus Eve. Around 300 City fans will be at Church Road tomorrow in a crowd of around 2,000. The players are travelling down tonight and staying near Heathrow.

Whyteleafe are looking forward to the biggest day in the clubs history, and reckon the ingredients are there for an upset. Leafe's boss Lee Richardson (who saw City at Lincoln last week) said today in the Croydon Advertiser: "I really do sympathise with Chester's predicament. They do look to play good football, but we must take advantage of the situation and we are good at set plays and corners. And it has to be said that Chester are definitely looking in the Nationwide Conference with their side at the moment. Chester have a couple of strikers who are quite handy. But, in their circumstances their form is no better than mid-range Conference and on our pitch it will be a fantastic leveller."

Whyteleafe coach Steve Massey said; "One of my friends, Brighton manager Micky Adams, knows that there is nothing there to frighten us in the Chester team. Our lads will get among them and it will not be a tactical game."

The game will be broadcast live on Talk Radio 1053/1089AM. Both clubs get £12,500 for this.

OPEN DAY
There's an Open Day at the Deva Stadium this Sunday 2-6pm. Why not get along and meet the City players (fresh from the Whyteleafe experience!) and staff, tour the stadium or watch a match being staged with ex-Chester players. Amongst those appearing are Stuart Rimmer, Grenville Millington, Paul Futcher, Ricky Greenough, Derek Draper, Billy Dearden, BIlly Stewart and many more. The match is a City 70's team versus a City 80's team with Harry McNally as manager.

HARTLEPOOL SWITCH
City's away game at Hartlepool on November 13 now has a 12.00 noon kick off to avoid the Scotland v England match on TV.

28 October 1999
DUO PLAY
Both Martyn Lancaster and Darren Moss played for Aston Villa reserves in their 2-1 home defeat by Blackburn reserves last night. Both players were substituted in the match, Lancaster after 69 mins, Moss was subbed after 48. According to the Birmingham Evening Mail; "Chester defenders Martin Lancaster and Darren Moss, both of whom had caught the eye in the recent league Cup tie against Villa, worked very hard but found the going tough and were substituted in the second half." Looks like Darren Moss enjoyed his time. He said in the Evening Leader: "It was a great experience, Martyn and I played well and we'll just see what happens. "I only found out for definite that I was going to Villa last Friday. I went down with Martyn on Monday morning. We had breakfast at Villa Park and trained with the reserves Stan Collymore, Paul Merson, Mark Draper and Steve Stone. Not a bad team really. "They were really helpful especially Paul Merson. He took a lot of pressure of me by telling me to just go out there and enjoy it. Play your own game he told and that's what I did. "The pace of the game is completely different. You've got more time on the ball and it's passing all the way. No long ball and when you've got players like Merson demanding the ball all the time, you just give it them." Reports suggest that VIlla boss John Gregory may soon swoop for Moss.

27 October 1999
OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OUT NOW
The Official Club Handbook covering last season is now available. The A4 96 page history recalls the ups and down of one of City's most difficult seasons. The book priced £6.95 is available from the football club shop and is also in Waterstones and Bookland in the city centre. The book is also available mail order now from the club shop at a cost of £8.55 which includes postage and packing – cheques payable to Chester City Football Club.

26 October 1999
VILLA TRIALS BACK ON
Both Martyn Lancaster and Darren Moss are training with Aston Villa this week and both are expected to play for Villa's reserves in their home game with Blackburn reserves tonight. Moss, a Welsh Youth international, burst on the scene with a great display against Everton in a pre-season friendly match and has no doubt keen catching the eye of a number of scouts who've been at the Deva this season. A deal to take Lancaster on trial at Villa Park had been called off earlier in the month.

PLAYERS CUP-TIED
Junior Agogo, Martin Blackwood and Steve Finney will all miss this Saturday's FA Cup tie at Whyteleafe. Agogo and Blackwood are on loan and therefore ineligible while Finney played for Barrow in a second qualifying round against Marine.

24 October 1999
ISA MEETING TONIGHT
There is a members meeting at the ISA tonight. The meeting starts at 1930 at the Royal Mail Club, Station Road, Chester. All members are urged to attend. The Guest Speaker: Dan Brookes, Commercial Manager, Chester City F.C.

WHYTELEAFE
Three exiled City fans took a trip to Church Road Whyteleafe on Saturday to see the 'Leaf' in action and check things out for next week. Ticket sales appear to be going well and the home supporters are fairly confident of a 2,500 sell-out for the biggest game in the clubs 53 year history. Leaf supporters have been working hard to make ground improvements ready for next Saturday's 2.00pm kick-off.

As with most non-league grounds there isn't in fact an 'away end' at present and two turnstiles (ex Stoke City's Victoria Ground) are currently being installed to allow a separate entrance for City fans at the far end from the ground main entrance. The good news is that there is cover behind the goal where the City fans will be housed, nearly all the rest of the ground, bar a couple of hundred seats in a half-way stand, is open to the elements. The away terrace is just three shallow steps deep so best get in early for a good spec. Temporary food and toilet facilities will also be in place for next week. Temporary seats are also being installed behind the other goal where the dressing rooms are also located.

The friendly social club is unfortunately open only to members next week, so the only chance of a drink is the Whyteleafe Tavern, which is about 10 minutes walk back past Whyteleafe station.

For the record Whyteleafe lost 0-1 to Romford, the goal coming from the penalty spot, on a very heavy pitch. Overnight rain almost forced the game to be called off in the morning and more heavy rain is expected this week. There is also a reserve game scheduled for Wednesday night, assuming the pitch is fit enough.

There was plenty of media action as well yesterday. Cameras from the BBC, SKY TV and ITV were present interviewing players and staff.

22 October 1999
F.A. CUP TICKETS
Chester have been allocated 500 terrace tickets and they go on sale next week at the following times:
Tuesday 26th October 4pm-8pm
Wednesday 27th October 10am-2pm
Thursday 28th October all day during normal office hours. If the match is tied, the replay will be played on Tuesday 9th November 1999 at The Deva Stadium with a kick off of 7.45pm.

20 October 1999
SMITH DENIES BECKETT RUMOURS
Chairman Terry Smith has denied that Stockport County have made an approach for striker Luke Beckett. Though admitting that there have been several enquiries for the player, Smith stated that there had been no offers for the ex-Barnsley striker.

MIDFIELDER FOR CITY?
The Evening Leader reports that City are attempting to sign ex-Bolton Wanderers midfielder Nicky Spooner from American soccer side Charleston. 28-year-old Spooner scored twice in 23 appearances for The Trotters in the 1998/99 season. Spooner also won the English Youth Cup with Manchester United and made five appearances for England Youth. You will find more details, along with a picture of the player, on the Charleston Battery website.

THIRD MONTH FOR JUNIOR?
Following his stunning goal last night, City are keen to sign Junior Agogo, whose scored five goals in eight games, for another month from Sheffield Wednesday. Agogo's loan period expires on 2 November; League rules state that a player can play a maximum of three months on loan at one club. It's doubtful though whether Wednesday would want Agogo to be FA Cup-tied.

DEVA FANS FORUMS
Two Fans Forums are scheduled to take place at the Deva Stadium social club. The dates are November 17 and December 15. Details of the panel will appear nearer the time.

19 October 1999
TONIGHT'S TEAM NEWS
Matt Doughty returns at left back for the injured Jon Cross for tonight's home Division Three clash with Cheltenham Town. Matt Woods, who started on the bench on Saturday, may return alongside Martyn Lancaster in the heart of the City defence, which would allow midfielder Nick Richardson to return to his normal position.

CUP GAME GOES AHEAD AT CHURCH ROAD
City's cup tie goes ahead at Whyteleafe's ground on Saturday 30 October with a kick-off time of 2pm. The crowd limit is 2,500 and Chester have been allocated 500 tickets. Ticket details and prices to follow. Though not covered by SKT TV the game could well be part of Match Of The Day's coverage on Saturday night.

INTERNATIONAL AT THE DEVA
There's a schoolboy International at the Deva next week when England U15s take on Wales in a Victory Shield schoolboys tie on Thursday October 28 (8.05pm kick off). The match is being shown live on SKY TV Tickets are priced at just £3, and are available at the club. There will also be free admission for children accompanied by a paying adult.

18 October 1999
FINNEY SIGNS
Forward Steve Finney joined Chester City today from Barrow. The 26-year-old player has previously been at amongst others, Preston North End, Manchester City, Cambridge United and Swindon Town where he was a regular scorer during their 1996 promotion campaign. Unfortunately Finney played for Barrow against Marine in the 2nd Qualifying Round of this years FA Cup and is therefore ineligible to play at Whyteleafe. Finney was playing part time for Barrow before posting out his CV to a number of north west clubs. Finney signed for Leyton Orient on transfer deadline day from Carlisle, he also had a trial at Exeter in the summer but preferred to stay in the north west. Finney said: "Chester were one of the clubs I wrote to and Terry Smith rang me back asking me to go for a trial. I'm just looking forward to playing first team football in the League again. When you go out of the League it's not nice and I'm just grateful to Chester for giving me the chance to get back in League football again."

FA. CUP
The police have been inspecting Wyteleafe's ground today to check on its suitability for the forthcoming cup tie. No doubt the Surrey side will be keen to stage the biggest game in their history on their own patch. The ground capacity is 2,500 (average attendance 250). SKT TV (sniffing a possible upset!) are also reported to be interested in covering the tie, that may affect the date and kick-off time.

LANCASTER TRIAL
Martyn Lancaster's trial at Villa Park never materialised as John Gregory pulled the plug on the deal claiming that Chester had agreed to keep the deal a secret! Just how Lancaster was supposed to disappear from the Deva during the week and reappear at weekends to play for the Blues remains a mystery. However it will be immensely disappointing for the youngster who was offered a chance of a lifetime after two great displays against the Villians.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR DAVIDSON RELEASED
It would appear that Ross Davidson has been released by the football club. Davidson was last season's Player Of The Year and was playing on a weekly contract. He is alledged to have stormed out of the club prior to Saturday's match with Macclesfield. Speaking in today's Daily Mirror Davidson said: "I've been on a week-to-week contract; but I've now been told to go, and it is just because I disagree with the training methods." We all await the clubs version of events with interest.

16 October 1999
CITY TRAVEL SOUTH
Chester have been drawn away at Whyteleafe in the first round of the F. A. Cup. Whyteleafe, who are currently third in the first division of the Ryman League earned their place in the draw with a 1-0 away win at Bognor Regis Town (of the same division). Subject to the police allowing the game to go ahead at their ground, you'll find Whyteleafe off the A22 south of Croydon on the London/Surrey border.

15 October 1999
TOMORROW'S TEAM NEWS
Both Goran Milosavijevic and Matt Doughty are currently suffering from hamstring injuries while Ross Davidson and Joe Carver picked up injuries against Tranmere on Wednesday. Matt Woods is expected to return following his injury picked up last Saturday. Martin Nash is expected to play in his favoured position at the right side of midfield. Chester City old boy Chris Priest will be in the Macclesfield line-up tomorrow.

NEW SECRETARY
Michael Fair, who has been acting as the clubs Press Officer since the start of the season, has been appointed the football club secretary following a board meeting earlier in the week. Gil Dugan remains at the club as his assistant.

FANZINE RETURNS
The Chester City fanzine 'The Onion Bag' will be on sale at tomorrows game.

F. A. CUP DRAW
The draw for the first round of the F.A. Cup takes place at 17.30 on Sky Sports tomorrow. Chester's number is 14 in the draw which isn't regionalised.

14 October 1999
CITY SCRAPE THROUGH
A Luke Beckett penalty eight minutes from time gave Chester victory over a Tranmere side in last night's Cheshire FA Unibond Senior Cup tie. City fell behind after two minutes and went 2-0 down midway through the first half. Only a series of fine saves from Wayne Brown denied the visitors more before Luke Beckett pulled a goal back in injury time. Joe Carver opened his Chester account just after the break to bring the scores level before Michael Blackwood was fouled in the penalty area to set up Beckett's winner. The game was watched by a rather small crowd of just 264. Hardly surprising with an £8 entrance fee and two considerably more important home league games in the next week, watching football can be an expensive business. Chester now travel to Macclesfield Town in the second round. Other teams involved are: Stalybridge Celtic, Northwich Victoria, Altrincham, Hyde United, Crewe Alex and Warrington Town. Dates and kick off times are yet to be arranged.

13 October 1999
INJURIES TO FORCE CHANGES
Injuries may force the Blues to make changes for tonight's Cheshire Senior Cup tie with Tranmere at the Deva. Goran Milosavijevic has a hamstring strain as does Matt Doughty, while Michael Blackwood has a sickness bug, the rest of the first team are scheduled to play. Chester seem to be taking the game a bit more seriously that their opponents who are expected to field their reserve team for the game.

F. A. YOUTH CUP
Chester's youngsters will travel to Halifax Town for he first round of this year's competition. The game will take place on 26 October with a 19.00 kick off.

11 October 1999
COOPER QUITS CITY
It's been reported on radio Merseyside that one of City's five coaching staff, Scott Cooper, has quit the club and returned to the United States.

CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP
Chester will be fielding a full strength team in Wednesday night's Cheshire Senior Cup match with Tranmere at the Deva. Admission prices have been reduced to £8 for adults with £4 for concessions in all parts of the ground.

4 October 1999
LANCASTER ON ASTON VILLA TRIAL
City defender Martyn Lancaster is to join Aston Villa next week on a two week trial. He will be available to play for Chester throughout the two week period. Lancaster had two great games against Villa whose boss John Gregory contacted Terry Smith this morning about the deal. "I had a great game at home and didn't do too bad away. "I'll just work hard there although I'm nervous now just thinking about it. Everything has happened so quickly but at least I've had a change of luck. I was down after scoring the own goal at York where I thought I'd dislocated my shoulder after falling on it in the first half. "I failed my driving test yesterday for not looking out of my window when doing a three point turn. But then I heard about the Villa thing and I'll settle for that."

LOAN DEALS EXTENDED
Both Saturday's goalscorers Junior Agogo and Michael Blackwood have had their loan periods at Chester extended by another month. Agogo said: "I'm happy to stay because they're a great bunch of lads here and there's also a great team spirit." Blackwood has his best game for the Blues, scoring and making one goal at York. "It's the last year of my contract at Villa and I think I need to get away. I'm 20 now and I'm looking to move on. Playing at Chester will put me in the shop window but I also want to help them get off the bottom."

1 October 1999
BECKETT TO BE LEFT OUT
Striker Luke Beckett may be left out for tomorrow's game at York City. The striker is reported to have had a bust up with chairman Terry Smith following the 3-1 defeat with Lincoln last week and has been training alone this week. This could well accelerate his departure from the Deva as he has yet to agree terms with the club. It has also been revealed that the club have had another transfer embargo placed on them following the non-payment of monies to former players, chairman Smith insists that this has now been sorted out with the PFA, who, incidentally are asking the club to clarify just who is in charge of team affairs at the Deva. Anyone who read the back page of the home programme with Aston Villa will have noted the following "Team Manager: Terry Smith".

Ross Davidson misses tomorrow's match through suspension. The defender was red carded at Brighton two weeks ago. Darren Moss returns to the side and there could be a debut for American striker Joe Carver in a must-win game for City. Angus Eve has yet to receive International clearance and it may be some time yet before he turns out for City.

HELLO ALBERT
The next issue of City fanzine Hello Albert is due out for the Macclesfield/Cheltenham home matches in a couple of weeks. Please send or email any articles for inclusion to reach the Editor Colin Mansley by next Thursday.

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