April 2007 News

30 April 2007
WRIGHT AND BARROW DEPART

Picture © Evening Leader

Manager Mark Wright and assistant Graham Barrow have both left Chester. Youth Team Manager Simon Davies has been appointed caretaker manager for the final game of the season at Lincoln City on Saturday.

Their departure comes on the back of a poor series of results that has seen attendances drop off dramatically as the Blues have won just three matches in 20 games and slid down League Two to 18th place.

City chairman Steve Vaughan said: “It was a difficult decision and not a decision I took lightly. Mark and Graham have both worked extremely hard, but unfortunately we have only recorded three wins in our last 20 matches and that is a disappointing return. I would like to thank Mark and Graham for their efforts, and wish them both well in their future careers. I have made the decision at this time in order to give a successor sufficient time to prepare for next season.”

• Former Chester manager’s

29 April 2007
DANBY VOTED PLAYER OF THE SEASON
Congratulations to John Danby who was named Player of the Season yesterday, defender Dave Artell claimed the runner’s-up award. Danby, an ever-present so far this season, becomes the first goalkeeper to win the award since Ronnie Sinclair ten season’s ago.

Dave and John receive their awards from Barrie Hipkiss.

The players lead the applause for Alan Ball.
Pictures © Evening Leader

BLUES STALEMATE
Chester drew their final home game of the season 1-1 against Peterborough United on Saturday. Simon Yeo gave the Blues a first half lead against their play-off chasing opponents but Posh drew level 20 minutes fom time as Dave Artell put through his own goal. Results elsewhere mean that City dropped one place to 18th in League Two. The curtain comes down on the season next Saturday when the Blues travel to Lincoln City.

After the match manager Mark Wright said: “I thought we did well in the first period, but we switched off in the second half and they came into it. Despite the fact that their equaliser was an own goal, I thought they deserved a draw.”

YOUTH SUCCESS
A goal from Andy Mitchell gave the youth team a 1-0 home win over Port Vale in their final game of the season. The side finished a very creditable second in the Puma Youth Alliance North West Conference Group B, just one point behind champions Walsall and ahead of Tranmere Rovers on goal difference.

• Youth Alliance League table | Fixtures

27 April 2007
DUO IN CONTENTION FOR AWARDS

City will be looking to wrap up their home campaign tomorrow with their fourth successive victory over visitors Peterborough United, manager Mark Wright’s former club.

Posh themselves are pushing for a play-off place lying in ninth spot four points off the play-off zone, they must win tomorrow to have a chance of making that target.

The Blues may have Phil Bolland returning to play against his former club. The defender was granted compassionate leave by the club ten days ago so he could visit a sick relative abroad and he’s now returned. Simon Marples misses out again though with a broken toe, while Kevin Sandwith is suspended following his red card at Boston.

The two sides last met a week before Christmas when the Blues put in a great performance to come away from London Road with a 2-0 victory thanks to an effort from Jon Walters and an own goal.

Prior to the match there will be the customary Player of the Season presentations. Goalkeeper John Danby (pictured) and defender Dave Artell are both strong candidates for awards after performing consistently well in what has proved to be a disappointing season.

Deva Stadium, along with all the other Premiership and Football League clubs will pay tribute to World Cup winner Alan Ball with a minute's applause before tomorrow’s game. Ball died on Tuesday at the age of 61 after suffering a heart attack at his home in Hampshire.

Picture © Evening Leader

• Previous Player of the season winners

ADMISSION PRICES REDUCED
The club have announced reduced matchday admission and season ticket prices for next season. They are:

MATCHDAY PRICES 2007/08
East and West Stand
Adult £16.00, Concession £11.00, Under 16 £5.00
(Concession is Senior Citizens and Students (A current full time NUS card must be produced)

West Stand 1 x adult and 1 x child under 12 years of age = £16.00.
The Club reserves the right to select which games this offer applies to.

Harry McNally and South Terrace
Adult £14.00, Concession £9.00, Under 16 £4.00
(Concession is Senior Citizens and Students (A current full time NUS card must be produced)

Executive Lounge
Adult £29.00, Concession £24.00
Please note that the Club only has a limited number of executive day tickets available for each game.

SEASON TICKET PRICES 2007/08
Before 30th June 2007 (equivalent to SIX free games)

East and West Stand
Adult £272.00, Concession £167.00, Under 16 £85.00

Harry McNally Terrace
Adult £238.00, Concession £153.00, Under 16 £68.00

Executive Lounge
Adult £493.00, Concession £408.00

Season tickets purchased before 30th June 2007 will entitle the holder to free admission for the first and second round ties in the FA Cup, Carling Cup and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy should Chester City be drawn at home during 2007/08.

From 1st July onwards (equivalent to FOUR free games)
East and West Stand
Adult £304.00, Concession £209.00, Under 16 £95.00

Harry McNally Terrace
Adult £266.0, Concession £171.00, Under 16 £76.00

Executive Lounge
Adult £551.00, Concession £456.00

Please note: Concession Season Tickets are for Senior Citizens and Students (A current full time NUS card must be produced)

Season Ticket Holders can claim their existing seat up to 15 June 2007. After this date seats will go on general sale.

Car Park
Season Pass £40.00

Season Tickets will go on sale from Monday to Friday (10.00–16.00hrs) commencing on Tuesday 8 May 2007

The club have also revealed that they will revert back to playing matches primarily on Saturday afternoon’s next season. Exceptions may be made should fixtures clash with England International matches.

Application forms will be available at the Club office from tomorrow.

25 April 2007
ISA COMMITTEE
Following the AGM of the Chester City ISA there have been changes to the committee for 2007. More details here

DALE REVENGE
The reserves lost 1-0 at Rochdale today two days after beating the Lancashire side in th ehome match at Deva Stadium.

24 April 2007
CONTRACT TALKS

John Danby and Dave Artell are to be offered new contracts. Both players have performed consistently well over a disappointing season and both are in the frame to be named Player of the Season prior to the match against Peterborough United on Saturday. Goalkeeper Danby still has 12 month’s to run on his current contract while Artell’s is up in the summer.

The club are also set to offer professional terms to youngsters Kevin Roberts, Shaun Kelly, Neil Carroll and Sean Newton. All four have impressed the City management coming through the youth team this season and Kelly has made a League Two appearance from the bench last week.

Once the season is over chairman Steve Vaughan will sit down with the management team to plan for next season. He said: “We’re just going to get the next two games out of the way and then we’ll see where we’re going to go with it. It’s been a difficult season for everyone but we’re below the standards that we’ve set as a club. We have drawn up a list of players that we would like to bring in in the positions we need to strengthen.”

23 April 2007
ISA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TONIGHT
The AGM of the Chester City ISA will take place tonight at the United Services Club, Crook Street, Chester, CH1 2BE starting at 7.30pm.

More details here

RESERVES WIN
Goals from Lee Steele, Shaun Newton and Andy Mitchell gave the reserves a 3-1 victory over Rochdale at Deva Stadium this afternoon. The two sides play the reverse fixture on Wednesday.

WRIGHT BLAMES REFEREE

City put in another disappointing performance on their travels as they went down 1-0 at relegation threatened Boston United on Saturday. Manager Mark Wright fielded the same starting X1 as last week and saw his side reduced to ten men with the early dismissal of Kevin Sandwith after he appeared to stop a goal bound effort with his arm. John Danby pulled off a full stretch save to keep out Jamie Clark’s spot-kick that followed.

The winning goal came seven minutes from time as the City defence failed to pick up Jamie Stevens at the far post who headed the winner. City failed to test Andy Marriott in the home goal all match.

On the red card for Sandwith, Mark Wright said: It was ridiculous decision. The ball hit Kevin on the chest then rolled down his arm. Admittedly we didn’t start too well and having a man sent off didn’t help.”

“I’m sure if we had 11 players on the field we would have taken the game to them. But it wasn't a good afternoon, particularly as the goal we conceded came from a corner that shouldn’t have been awarded.”

Picture © Evening Leader

PFA SELECT TEAM
The PFA have announced their League Two side of the year which is as follows.

Clayton Ince (Walsall), Craig Pead (Walsall), Michael Nelson (Hartlepool United), Chris Westwood (Walsall), Ritchie Humphreys (Hartlepool United)), Lee Frecklington (Lincoln City), Dean Keates (Walsall), Andrew Monkhouse (Hartlepool United)), Tommy Doherty (Wycombe Wanderers – on loan from QPR), Izale McLeod (MK Dons), Jermaine Easter (Wycombe Wanderers).

20 April 2007
EMPHASIS ON YOUTH?

City travel to relegation threatened Boston United tomorrow with manager Mark Wright looking to field several of the younger members of his squad. Shaun Kelly came off the bench in Sunday’s draw with Shrewsbury Town that also featured former youth team players Paul Rutherford and Chris Holroyd, all are expected to play a part tomorrow.

There may also be appearances from Kevin Roberts, Neil Carroll and Sean Newton. Phil Bolland is likely to miss the game having been given compassionate leave to be with his ill mother, while fellow defender Paul Linwood is expected to recover from an injured neck to play.

Wright outlined his intentions to give the younger players a run-out earlier in the week. He said: “I may well now use these games to see how the likes of youngster’s Shaun Kelly, Kevin Roberts, Neil Carroll and Sean Newton perform at this level. Also senior players Alex Meechan and Lee Steele who haven’t figured much lately, could also be given the opportunity to be in our starting lineups.”

The Pilgrims are struggling with injuries and could only name two players on the bench in their last match. Boston currently lie next to bottom of League Two level with Wrexham but behind on goal difference, a victory for them is vital. However, they have just ten fit professionals for the match and four youth team players have been drafted in to make up the numbers. Chester have also refused permission for striker Drewe Broughton (pictured) to play while he’s on loan from City.

Picture © Evening Leader

18 April 2007
RESERVES LOSE
The reserves were beaten 2-0 at Oldham Athletic tonight as the Latics became Pontin’s League Division One West champions.

16 April 2007
WRIGHT BLASTS FANS AGAIN

A week after criticising ex-director Paul Baker following his resignation from the board, City manager Mark Wright has gone on the offensive again following Sunday’s goalless draw at home to Shrewsbury Town. He’s hit out at a section of the Sunday crowd who barracked players and coaching staff at the match.

Wright said: “I’m disappointed with the negativity of some of the people around here and they know who they are. We had four kids out there against Shrewsbury and it’s disappointing that some of the crowd are behaving as they are. I thought the youngsters were outstanding. They showed a spirit and commitment which was a credit to them. When you consider that some of the youngsters earn just £90 a week, it really does show up some of the senior players who earn far in excess of that.”

I actually thought there were certain people in that crowd, and they know who they are, who were waiting so they could have a moan. Unfortunately for them, we spoilt it for them, didn't we?

The mindless few ought to have a look at themselves. And if they don’t want to get behind the team, why come? They’re just disruptive for the younger players, disruptive for everything we want to achieve.”

Rather that the youngsters who’ve performed so well in recent weeks, it’s surely the tactics and general quality on display for so long now that the ever dwindling support has been criticising. It was the support that’s been crying out for the youngsters to be given their long overdue run for weeks now.

The Blues have scored just seven goals in eleven home matches since Christmas and could muster only one worthwhile effort on goal yesterday, as Chris Holroyd shot straight at Scott Shearer in the second period. The point, against a team chasing a play-off place, keeps City in 17th position in League Two.

The Blues gave a debut yesterday to another player from the youth team set-up Shaun Kelly (pictured) who replaced defender Paul Linwood after 75 minutes.

• League Two table

Picture © Evening Leader [Shaun Kelly]

14 April 2007
SEVEN UP
The youth team had a resounding 7-0 win away at Blackpool this morning in their latest Youth Alliance North West Conference game. City’s goalscorers were Glenn Rule, Neil Wilson, Paul McManus, Lloyd Elams and Andy Mitchell (3).

13 April 2007
PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTE
Voting forms for the Chester City Official Supporters Club Away Player of the Year, and Player of the Year awards, will be given out at the turnstiles on Sunday. Forms should be returned to Barrie Hipkiss in time for the presentation which is due to take place before THE home game against Peterborough United on 28 April.

HOT RECEPTION AWAITS!

There’s bound to be a hot reception on Sunday as four ex-Chester players return to Deva Stadium with promotion chasing Shrewsbury Town. Ben Davies (pictured), Stewart Drummond, Derek Asamoah and Chris MacKenzie all jumped ship last summer. The club at the time had wanted to re-sign all four players but could not afford them. Davies though was singled out by manager Mark Wright for criticism over the way he left. Wright said: “He (Davies) said to the chairman if you can give me X amount I’ll stay. The chairman offered him it and he still went, so that was a pretty poor show.”

The last time the sides met at Gay Meadow in late November the game ended in a mass brawl that saw both clubs, along with City chairman Steve Vaughan, fined and warned as to their future conduct by the FA. A controversial late penalty gave the home side the winner on the day after Gregg Blundell had fired the Blues into an early lead, only for Davies to cancel the goal out after the break.

The Shrews occupy the last play-off spot after picking up four points from promotion rivals Wycombe Wanderers and MK Dons over the Easter period. The Blues will be looking to put the disappointing performance at Stockport behind them and may opt once again to field their three younger squad members, Chris Holroyd, Paul Rutherford and James Vaughan who have performed well in the last two home matches.

Wright said: “The younger players who have played in the first team have not let us down once. They have been fully committed and they always want to listen and learn, they want to get at people and they want to play football the right way.”

Sunday’s game has a 12.00 kick-off and is all-ticket. The visitors have sold all but 300 of their 2200 allocation.

Tickets will also be on sale on Saturday between 10.00-12.00hrs at the ground. No tickets will be sold on the day of the game.

Picture © Evening Leader

SHREWSBURY TICKETS
Tickets for the home match against Shrewsbury Town on Sunday are on sale at Deva Stadium today from 10.00 till 16.00hrs. Season Ticket holders do not need a further ticket, however those who have Season Tickets in the West stand will be relocated, and compensated, as these seats are being given over to Shrewsbury. Tickets will also be on sale on Saturday between 10.00-12.00hrs at the ground. No tickets will be sold on the day of the game.

11 April 2007
RESERVES VICTORY
The reserves beat Carlisle United 5-2 at Deva Stadium this afternoon with four goals from Alex Meechan and another from Neil Carroll. The victory lifts the Blues off the bottom of the Pontins Holiday League table above their opponents.

• Reserves table

CHAIRMAN FINED
Chairman Steve Vaughan has been fined £1,000 and ‘severely censured and warned as to future conduct’ by the Football Association following an alleged incident at the end of the match at Shrewsbury Town last November. Vaughan has always denied a breach of FA Rule E3 – violent conduct.

10 April 2007
DIRECTOR RESIGNS

Paul Baker has resigned from the board at the football club. Paul, whose company UK Sameday Ltd are the main club sponsor, is a lifelong fan and was in position for 16 months.

He was instrumental in initiating many fans suggestions at board level including the introduction of the TrueBlue membership scheme and the naming of the Harry McNally Terrace. Paul was also involved in the setting up of the long-awaited testimonial for record scorer Stuart Rimmer as well as subsidising coaches for the FA Cup match at Ipswich Town and Exiles travel to the two last games of last season.

In his resignation statement Paul said: “The reason I decided to step down was I was falling out of love with something I cherish, it is hard to explain but I’m sure many of you have felt this over the years given the rollercoaster of emotions we have endured. By stepping away now I hope that this relationship can be saved after all I have been in love with this club far longer than any other relationship I have managed to sustain in my lifetime.”

Paul also went on to say: “However I have been criticised by some within club for being a fan first and foremost rather than a Director, I have to say that criticism never came from The Chairman or any other members of The Board of Directors. Stephen has always understood I was a fan first and never at any stage asked me to change in any way.”Chairman Steve Vaughan said: “I would like to thank Paul for all his efforts during the time he was on the board, he had a number of innovative ideas which were greatly appreciated. I know he got an insight into the workings of a football club and also learnt that you rarely get thanks when you are a director of a club, normally it’s criticism and requests to fund financial shortfalls.”

9 April 2007
DEFEAT FOR LACKLUSTRE CITY

The Blues crashed 2-0 at Stockport today to give the home side their first win in seven matches. After praising the City youngsters following Friday’s match, manager Mark Wright elected to start all three on the bench at Edgeley Park.

The Blues fell behind midway through the first period as Anthony Pilkington saw a shot rebound off a post, hit the unfortunate John Danby on the back, and rebound into the net. Wright rang the changes before the break replacing Sean Hessey with James Vaughan and Lee Steele with Chris Holroyd. The game was effectively over though two minutes after the restart as Tony Dinning struck the second goal for the home side. Paul Rutherford replaced Laurence Wilson as the game progressed but there was no way back for City.

A disappointed assistant manager Graham Barrow said after the game: “For some reason, in our away games recently we are just not getting out of the blocks and that is frustrating. Some of the senior professionals aren’t performing as they should be, and it wasn’t until the youngsters came on that we began to pose problems for Stockport.”

Chester remain in 16th place following this defeat and are next in action on Sunday when they have a home match against Shrewsbury Town. The game is all-ticket and will kick-off at 12:00.

Picture © Evening Leader [Holroyd replaces Steele]

JOINING LEAGUE TWO
Congratulations to Dagenham & Redbridge who will play League football for the first time next season after clinching the Conference Championship with victory over Aldershot Town on Saturday. Joining them will be Brentford who were relegated from League One today.

8 April 2007
LATE PENALTY DENIES CITY

The Blues were within a minute of taking all three points off Darlington on Friday before a controversial penalty, scored by ex-City player Gregg Blundell gave The Quakers a share of the points.

Following a dull opening period, City took the game to their visitors after the break and took the lead on 51 minutes after Simon Yeo took advantage of some poor defending to pick up a loose ball before rounding ‘keeper Sam Russell and shooting home from a narrow angle. City missed chances to increase their lead and were left to rue those wasted opportunities when Blundell raced clear in the last minute, substitute Laurence Wilson slid in on the edge of the box and despite the City defence pointing to the pitch skid mark outside the area referee Singh pointed to the spot.

City manager Mark Wright once against fielded three of the squads younger members in Chris Holroyd, Paul Rutherford and James Vaughan.

Wright was full of praise for their performance and said “I named young Shaun Kelly as a substitute and was pleased with the performances of Paul Rutherford, James Vaughan, and Chris Holroyd. I’ve got a big meeting with the chairman this week to discuss the future of our young players.

We’ve got Rob Marsh-Evans, the three youngsters who played against Darlington, Kelly, Roberts, and Carroll, who we feel can all step on and progress. But I felt our side was screaming out for a targetman again against Darlington, but we haven’t quite got that yet.”

Wright added: “Some fans were asking why I took both Simon and Chris off. Well, they both asked to come off because they were running on empty. I was pleased with Chris Holroyd’s attitude of wanting to play at all times despite struggling with a hamstring problem, but I didn’t want to push him through 90 minutes with today in mind.”

Rutherford (above) picked up the man of the match award for this midfield performance.

McMANUS STRIKES AGAIN
Paul McManus scored his 13th league goal of the campaign to give the youth team a 1-0 Youth Alliance League win over Preston North End on Saturday morning.

The Youth Team line-up prior to Saturday’s win over Preston North End at Airbus UK.
Picture by Roger Glanville.

5 April 2007
VAUGHAN QUITS WIDNES
Chairman Steve Vaughan has stepped down from his role as chairman at Widnes Vikings on the eve of their opening league game. Vaughan is prepared to sell his shareholding to a buyer who has the clubs interests at heart. He said: “I will give the existing board members the first opportunity to purchase my shares. I have ploughed in excess of £840,000 into the company, which is more than any director has ever done.”

DUO OUT
City will be without Simon Marples (broken toe) and Phil Bolland for tomorrow’s home match against Darlington, kick-off 15.00hrs. Striker Chris Holroyd is struggling to be fit after picking up a hamstring injury in Friday night’s defeat at Hartlepool. The Quakers should include former Chester striker Gregg Blundell who joined the north-east club during the January transfer window.

4 April 2007
BLUES CHARITY TICKET OFFER

The football club have announced that ticket prices are to be dropped by £3.00 for the remaining three home matches against Darlington, Shrewsbury Town (all-ticket) and Peterborough United. Admission prices for seats will be reduced to £14.00, and to £12.00 for the Harry McNally Terrace.

As well as announcing the price reduction the club have revealed will be donating £1.00 for every spectator who attends these matches to The Claire House charity.

Announcing the initiative club chairman Steve Vaughan said: “Hopefully the football supporters of the area will find this initiative appealing, besides creating a positive atmosphere at the final three home matches. It will also assist a local charity.”

3 April 2007
BOLLY BAN
Defender Phil Bolland has received a one match suspension following his red card at Hartlepool. He will miss Friday’s home game against Darlington.

2 April 2007
ISA MEETING
The AGM of the Chester City ISA will take place on Monday April 23rd at the United Services Club, Crook Street, Chester, CH1 2BE starting at 7.30pm.

More details here

SHREWSBURY TICKETS
Tickets for the home match against Shrewsbury Town on Sunday 15 April (12.00) are on sale at Deva Stadium this week. Season Ticket holders do not need a further ticket, however those who have Season Tickets in the West stand will be relocated, and compensated, as these seats are being given over to Shrewsbury.

Tickets will go on sale from the club ticket office at the following times.

Tuesday April 3rd — 10.00 till 19.00hrs
Wednesday April 4th — 10.00 till 16.00hrs
Thursday April 5th — 10.00 till 16.00hrs
Good Friday April 6th — After the Darlington game

Tickets can also be bought online here