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6.WHAT HAPPENED TO... |
Steve
Halford, (pictured)
a young defender signed from Bury, was one of four
players who made his debut in the home game against
Margate in October 2001. This was Steve Vaughan’s
first home game in control of the club and it proved
to be Gordon Hill’s last as City crashed 3-0
to the Kent side. After Hill’s departure Steve
became the regular centre half during Steve Mungall’s
short spell as manager. His final game for City,
the 3-1 Boxing Day capitulation at Northwich, also
proved to be Steve Mungall’s last in charge.
The signings of Phil Bolland and Gary Brabin marked
the end of Steve’s brief career at the Deva
Stadium and in January he moved to Accrington Stanley
of the Unibond League. Steve is now a key figure
in an Accrington side that has started the season
in excellent form and he might well be returning
to the Conference next season with the ex-league
side.
Centre forward David McNiven was signed by Gordon Hill
on a short term contract in the middle of September 2001. After scoring
2 goals, as a substitute, in a reserve game against Burscough he made
his full debut in the home game against Boston United and played three
games in total, all of which resulted in defeats. David is the son of
the former Leeds United player of the same name and twin brother of Scottish
Under 21 international Scott who is currently with Oxford United. David
started his career with Oldham Athletic but failed to make the grade
at Boundary Park and most of his appearances were from the substitutes
bench. After loan spells with Linfield, Vasalund (Sweden) and Scarborough
he joined York City in summer 2000. He met with some success at Bootham
Crescent and finished leading scorer in the 2000/01 season but was surprisingly
released and joined Chester. For David it appeared a case of wrong club,
wrong time and after leaving City he attempted to kick start
his career with Scottish Second Division side, Hamilton Academicals.
At Hamilton he only missed one game in the rest of the 2001/02 season
and scored six goals. During the summer David joined our Conference neighbours,
Northwich Victoria.
Perhaps the strangest signing
last season was that of 31 year old Mexican defender Carlos
Lopez (pictured right). He arrived in this
country after playing for clubs in Mexico and Spain
and spent some time on trial with Cambridge United
before joining City. He managed a total of 50 minutes
playing for Chester, as a substitute against Stevenage
and Scarborough. Astonishingly, after leaving Chester,
he re-surfaced at Wycombe Wanderers and made one Division
Two appearance at Cambridge before being released.
Chas
Sumner [Published 2/11/02]
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