“A match official was called in on Friday afternoon to view the pitch and following this inspection it was deemed safe to play. This information was relayed to today’s referee Mr Savvas Yianni on Friday afternoon.”

“Upon arriving at the ground today, the match officials have taken the view that player safety was at risk and decided to postpone the game.”

“Ground staff had covered the small affected area over night to protect the surface from any rainfall which was forecast. However, the problem with this area of the pitch is not a surface water issue but a sub-soil drainage problem. Additional drainage has been installed in the affected area over the past week.”

“This issue is being addressed immediately and emergency work will commence Monday.”

“Fans who have purchased tickets in advance are entitled to a full refund and this will be available from the club shop. Should fans wish to keep their tickets, these will be okay to use for the re-arranged game or for another league game of your choice.”

“The players have responded really well since we’ve come in and taken on board everything that we have thrown at them. It’s been the first full week and they have been asked to work a bit harder than they have probably been used to, but the reaction has been great and they have shown a real desire to want to work.”

“I did my due diligence on them before I came in but until you get out on the grass with them you don’t really know about their character and what they are capable of, but I’ve found plenty of hunger in the group.”

Despite the victory Chester remain in the bottom four. On Saturday they travel to Eastleigh looking to build on the confidence no doubt gained from the Maidenhead victory.

Chester have appointed Marcus Bignot as their new manager. Bignot (43), has previously managed at Birmingham City Ladies, Solihull Moors and Grimsby Town. His playing career includes Telford United, Kidderminster Harriers, Crewe Alexandra, Bristol Rovers, Rushden & Diamonds, Queens Park Rangers and Millwall. Bignot was chosen after interviews with ten candidates including Richard Money, Ronnie Moore, Steve Watson and Neil Redfearn, were held on Monday and Tuesday.

On Chester’s poor start to the season Bignot said: “We will turn things around, I’m sure the supporters will see a group who are going to be organised, there will be a structure to their play both on and off the ball.”

“There will be clear roles and responsibilities and I honestly believe they will gain confidence from that. If they’ve got the desire to work harder and smarter, I’m sure we can turn our fortunes around. I want to bring success, for my next job it was important I got the opportunity to bring success and, for me, Chester provides that.”

“I can’t wait to get started, I’ll meet the players at training and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Chiex Executive Mark Maguire (pictured here with Bignot) said: “We have met with and spoken to some exceptional candidates over the last few days. Marcus convinced the panel he has the skills to deliver results whilst building for the long term and enhancing the culture at the club.”

Bignot’s first game in charge will be on Saturday when Chester entertain Maidenhead United, looking for their first home win of 2017.

Tom Shaw, who looked after the side following Jon McCarthy’s departure, has been given the job of player/first team coach. An assistant to Bignot is to be announced soon.

Shaw said: “We know we’ve done well with our recruitment, we know we’ve signed the right players, so to see them at full tilt was pleasing. It's been a tough week, we’ve lost a terrific man from the club who did a lot for all of us, and the lads were down.”

“But to react how they did, how they trained on Thursday and how they played today, shows there’s some tough, strong-willed men in there. I thought they were great.”

6 September 2017
McCARTHY SACKED
Chester are in search of their fourth manager following the sacking of Jon McCarthy yesterday. The dismissal comes on the back of a poor start to the season and a dreadful home record that hasn’t seen the Blues taste three points since just before Christmas.

McCarthy, with assistant Ian Sharps, took over the role from Steve Burr in May 2016 after a caretaker role that saw the duo win three of the four final matches of the season to stave off relegation. Chester started last season in style and were within striking distance of the play-off’s before the end of the year, but a dramatic downturn in form saw them slip down the table in the second half of the season finishing 19th.

The club released the following statement: “Chester Football Club can today announce that they have terminated the contract of Manager Jon McCarthy with immediate effect.”

“The Club would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Jon, a thoroughly decent man who could not have worked harder to try and deliver success – and could not have shown more commitment to the Community and the Club.”

“I understand the frustration but we came into tonight’s game expecting to win and if we had won we’d be two points off the play-offs. It’s a really disappointing result and one we have to take.”

“We have made ourselves quite difficult to beat and there are a lot of clubs in our division who have more defeats on their record. It’s not a group that gets smashed and hammered every week. We just need to get some players on the pitch. It’s frustrating and difficult to take because we can't them out there. I’d love to see that group play and when we do we’ll be all right. Ask the players. If they don’t think that’s the case, you’ll get your answer from them.”

“If I have got Harry White and Ross Hannah starting the games and Nyal Bell and Akintunde on the bench, and if I have Paul Turnbull available on Saturday, and Ryan Astles tonight, that’s six points and two comfortable wins. I know that and people know that.”

“When the strong characters and best players are not all there it has an effect.”