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30
April 2013
COLTS WIN TITLE
Congratulations to
the Chester Under 17 Colts who won the NWYA League
2 trophy following a 2-1 victory at Runcorn Town
at the weekend. The team were presented with their
trophy after tonight’s 6-2 home victory over
Ashton Town to record their 20th victory from 20
matches this season.
28 April 2013
BLUES MISS OUT ON WILLIAMS SIGNING
It would appear that
Chester have missed out on the opportunity to sign
24-year-old Danny Williams from Kendal Town. The
player, who had been on a season-long loan period
at Chester this season, is believed to be signing
for Scottish Premier League side Inverness Caledonian
Thistle. Wing-back Williams scored two goals in
33+0 appearances for Chester.
It’s reported that manager Neil Young had
agreed a five-figure fee with Kendal Town for Williams
but the club couldn’t push the deal through.
A disappointed Young said after the Worcester match
on Saturday: “We’re gutted we’ve
lost out on the deal. We’ve got to realise
our budget is the same next year and while I keep
hearing we’ve got to be the best of the part-time
teams and we’ve got to do this and that, without
being disrespectful to the other clubs, they are
playing in front of 300-400 fans – I’m
sitting in front of 3,000 fans and if I only win
13 games next year I’ll be under pressure.”
“I’ve got to try and improve the squad
and that costs money – so that’s why
players like Danny Williams are key to what we’re
trying to do. There’s only so many gems that
we can find that are out there and that we can afford.”
PAT CLUSKEY LEAVES CHESTER
The football club
have announced that Chief Executive Pat Cluskey
has been made redundant, as has the position he
filled. This announcement comes on the back of a
board management restructuring review, which was
undertaken by the club once Tony Durkin had been
appointed chairman. Cluskey had been at the club
for two and a half years.
A club statement reads: “Following the recent
review by the board of the club’s management
structure, which has identified the need for a reorganisation
of the club’s management structure, the position
of chief executive officer has been made redundant
and as a result Pat Cluskey has left the company.
The board would like to thank Pat for his efforts
during his two-and-a-half-years at the club and
wish him good luck for the future.”
CHESTER END SEASON WITH A
WIN
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How fitting
that captain George Horan should score the
last league goal of the season as Chester
defeated Worcester City in the final match
to be played at their 108-year-old St George’s
Lane ground. Chester completed their season
as they had begun it at Oxford City with a
1-0 away victory to finish the season on 107
points, 16 ahead of second placed Guiseley.
Horan scored the only goal of the game in
the eighth minute heading home a Dave hankin
cross, but it was the home side that created
plenty of chances to perhaps earn a draw but
some poor finishing from Mike Symons as well
and some fine saves from John Danby secured
the 34th victory of the championship season.
Chester were reduced to ten men on the stroke
of half-time as Matty McGinn was given a straight
red card for a challenge on Tom Thorley.
Both sides his the post in the second period
with Iain Howard almost capping a final appearance
in a Chester shirt with a goal as his shot
glanced off the woodwork following a flowing
move involving debutant Tom Peers, Tony Gray
and Marc Williams.
Final
league table | Match
highlights
Picture
� Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)
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CONFERENCE NORTH PLAY-OFF’S
The two-leg semi-final play-off’s will be
Halifax Town v Guiseley and Altrincham v Brackley
Town. The matches will take place on Tuesday and
Saturday.
26 April 2013
BLUES RUE MISSED CHANCES
Chester
were made to pay for a series of missed chances
as they fought out a 1-1 draw at FC Halifax Town
last night. Manager Neil Young only had 13 senior
players to pick from with youth players Tom Peers
and Sean Miller starting on the bench.
The Blues squad were held up in traffic prior to
the match which as a result kicked-off 15 minutes
late. When it did, it was the visitors who started
well taking a sixth minute lead through Marc Williams
(pictured) who met a Nathan Jarman cross to prod
the ball past ‘keeper Matt Glennon.
Antoni Sarcevic saw a goal bound effort cleared
off the line before the midfielder failed to convert
a close range effort following good play by Danny
Williams. Seven minutes before the break the Shaymen
equalised as Alex Johnson beat John Danby to an
inswinging free-kick to head the hosts level.After
the break Tony Gray sent an effort just over the
bar and George Horan headed over from close range.
Further efforts from Gray and Marc Williams went
begging before Glennon pulled off a great save in
the last minute to deny Nathan Jarman a certain
winner.
Chester complete their highly successful season
with a visit to Worcester City on Saturday. The
game will be the last ever played at the 108-year-old
St George’s Lane ground and is an all-ticket
sell-out.
League
table after the Halifax match
Picture
� Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)
PEERS TO DEBUT AT WORCESTER
Manager Neil Young
is expected to hand a full debut to Youth team forward
Tom Peers as the Blues wrap up their championship
season at Worcester City tomorrow. Peers has made
four appearances from the bench in the Cheshire
Senior Cup this season. Of the Warrington-born 17-year-old
manager Neil Young told the Chester Chronicle: “We’ve
been trying to integrate Tom into the squad and
I think he’s doing that now. He was a having
banter with the lads in the dressing room on Saturday,
about haircuts I think! He’s done really well
at youth level, where teams are very good technically,
but youth football can’t match the physicality
of senior football.”
24 April 2013
TURNER TWINS RETURN TO LEEDS
On-loan Leeds United
players Nathan and Lewis Turner have returned to
the Yorkshire club. Both have made a huge contribution
to the side since they joined the club. Nathan made
his debut from the bench at Brackley Town in mid-December
2012 and scored in his first start at Droylsden
on New Year’s Day. Nathan went on to make
15+5 appearances for Chester.
Lewis, who joined his brother at a later date, made
his debut in the home victory against Witton Albion
in the Cheshire Senior Cup and will be remembered
for scoring the club’s 100th league goal of
the season against Boston United that clinched the
championship. Lewis went on to make 8+1 appearances
for Chester.
21 April 2013
BLUES CROWNED CHAMPIONS
Chester born captain
George Horan received the Football Conference North
championship trophy from Football Conference President
Bill King following Saturday’s match against
Solihull Moors. A surprise home defeat, in front
of a crowd of 3,414, couldn’t dampen the spirits
as the skipper lifted an unprecedented third successive
championship trophy in as many years.
Manager Neil Young was only to keen to share the
success with the supporters of the club. He told
the Chester Leader: “I felt it was important
that we gave a little bit back and it was good to
be able to meet the fans after Saturday’s
game.”
“The fans have come out and supported us throughout
the season both home and away in these difficult
economic times so I feel it is important that we
give a little bit back. Fair play to all our supporters
who turned up on Saturday because they certainly
made themselves heard.”
Players
with the trophy | Match
pictures | Other
pictures from the day
Picture
� Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)
19 April 2013
CIVIC RECEPTION FOR BLUES
For the third successive
year the club will be honoured with a civic reception
by Cheshire West and Chester Council and an open
top bus parade through Chester, this will take place
in the afternoon on Saturday 11 May.
The Conference North championship and Cheshire Senior
Cup’s will be on parade as the bus leaves
the ground at 14.00hrs before heading to the Town
Hall. The route will be: Bumpers Lane, Sealand Road,
Southview Road, Raymond Road, Canal Street and Northgate
Street. It is expected to arrive at the Town Hall
at 14.30hrs.
17 April 2013
BLUES COMPLETE TREBLE
Chester lifted the
Cheshire Senior Cup last night following a hard
fought 2-1 victory over Stalybridge Celtic at Wincham
Park. It is the first time the club have won the
magnificent trophy since the 1931/32 season.
A blustery wind throughout the night spoilt the
game as a spectacle as both sides struggled with
the conditions. Chester took the lead five minutes
before the break as Antoni Sarcevic converted a
penalty, off the left hand post, after he had been
brought down by Joel Bembo-Leta chasing a Matty
McGinn through ball into the box. The Celtic defender
was given a red card by referee John Dowd for the
foul.
Chester saw a couple of efforts go close before
the ten men of Stalybridge drew level on 59 minutes
as the Blues defence was caught on a quick counter
attack. Chris Hall turned Lewis Turner on the edge
of the box and shot under the advancing Martin Fearon.
A minute later though Tony Gray scored what proved
to be the winning goal as he charged down a clearance
from Celtic ‘keeper Alex Cairns on the right
before skillfully curling a shot into the unguarded
net from an acute angle.
So manager Neil Young can now add the Cheshire Senior
Cup to the Peter Swales Shield and Conference North
Championship to an ever expanding 2012/13 trophy
cabinet. Young said: “It’s put a top
hat on the season for us and I’m delighted
for the players and the supporters. It was a great
finish from Tony and it was a goal good enough to
win any cup final, but it’s great to be able
to be part of a Cheshire Cup win by a Chester team
since 1931.”
More
pictures | Video
highlights | The
last time we won the cup
Picture
� Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)
16 April 2013
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
Chester have lined
up their first home pre-season friendly for next
season as Bolton Wanderers will visit on Saturday
27 July. The club are also hoping to stage a home
match against Crewe Alexandra in the same month,
they are just awaiting confirmation from the Gresty
Road side.
13 April 2013
LEAGUE RECORD ENDS AT GUISELEY
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Chester
suffered only their second league defeat of
the season when they were beaten 2-1 at second
placed Guiseley on Saturday. It was their
first league reverse after 30 matches. Manager
Neil Young was unhappy about the way his side
conceded two goals through mistakes, both
scored by Josh Wilson, though Chester were
also guilty of missed chances at the other
end.
Young told the Chester Chronicle: “To
lose in the way we did was disappointing.
We’ve had a fantastic run but we’ve
come here, having won the league and knowing
that they would want to prove a point after
we demolished them at home, and given away
two goals through mistakes. “We were
punished for our mistakes but at the other
end of the pitch, when we got in and made
some good opportunities, we didn’t capitalise
on them.”
Guiseley gave the Blues a guard of honour
before the match and took the lead through
a free kick in the seventh minute as Wilson
punished a foul by Matty McGinn to curl the
ball past John Danby. Chester equalised on
the stroke of half-time as Tony Gray glanced
a corner home. Antoni Sarcevic missed a great
oppoutunity to give the Blues the lead on
66 minutes before Wilson scored his second
goal, shorltly after, chipping Danby who had
come to out narrow the angle on the striker.
Captain George Horan picked up an achilles
injury and was replaced at half-time.
League
table after this match
Picture
� Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)
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CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP FINAL
Captain
George Horan is hoping to be fit for Wednesday’s
Cheshire Senior Cup Final against Stalybridge Celtic
at Witton Albion’s ground Wincham Park. Horan
told the Chester Leader: “I’ve had a
little bit of a strain on my Achilles, but it is
nothing serious and I’m sure I’ll be
okay for Wednesday.”
Manager Neil Young was not quite so optimistic though
on the skipper leading out the side at Witton saying:
“I’m not sure if George will be able
to play on Wednesday because it’s a dangerous
injury to have because if it goes then it’s
possibly a case of his career being over. It’s
important that we make sure that George is fully
fit before he comes back.”
It will be the first time Chester have played in
the Senior Cup final since the 1931/32 season, their
first season in the Football League. The match will
be segregated with Chester supporters allocated
the Lostock End of the ground, next to the car park.
Admission prices for the final, kick-off 19.45hrs,
are: Adults £8.00, Seniors and Children £3.00.
Picture
� Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)
WORCESTER TICKETS
Chester have been
allocated just 650 tickets for the last match of
the season at Worcester City on Saturday 27 April,
the last game to be played at the St George’s
Lane ground.
Tickets will go on sale to Season Ticket holders
(bring Voucher H, it is strictly one ticket per
voucher) from 10.00-16.00hrs on Monday 15 to Friday
19 April with final ticket sales for Season Ticket
holders closing at Midday on Saturday 20th April
before the home game with Solihull Moors. The will
be NO ticket sales following the match on 20 April.
Any unsold tickets will
then go on general sale from 10.00-16.00hrs on Monday
22 April to Friday 26th April. The prices are as
follows: Seats Adults £14.00, Concession £10.00,
16-21 Year olds £7.00 and Under 16s £5.00.
Standing: Adults £12.00, Concession £8.00,
16-21 Year olds £5.00 and Under 16s £3.00.
7 April 2013
BLUES CLINCH THIRD CHAMPIONSHIP
Lewis Turner scored
Chester’s 100th league goal of the season
as the Blues held off Boston United to clinch their
third successive championship after second placed
Guiseley were beaten at Brackley Town. A nervy game
saw The Pilgrims have the better of the chances
in the opening period but Turner struck in the first
minute after the restart ghosting in at the far
post to plant a firm header past Dan Haystead in
the Boston goal following good build-up play from
Matty McGinn and Nathan Jarman.
Chester, who were playing with five changes from
the side that won at Gainsborough on Thursday night,
could have added to their tally on a couple of occasions
following the breakthrough with Nathan Jarman seeing
one close range effort dribble agonisingly the wrong
side of the post.
A pitch invasion greeted the final whistle following
four minutes of tense stoppage time as the score
line from Brackley was confirmed and the players
and management could celebrate a magnificent achievement
in the main stand and then vociferously in the Blues
Bar following the game.
The team will be presented with the Conference North
trophy at the final home game of the season against
Solihull Moors on Saturday 20 April.
A delighted manager Neil Young told the Chester
Chronicle: “I’ve got to give credit
to all the people that have made it happen. That
starts from my staff and goes through to the rabble
that I call my players. Their mentality –
to keep churning out wins home and away, no matter
who they play – is the best I’ve seen.
To have that much concentration and ability to be
able to do that should not be understated.”
“There are some teams
in this division who have good money and very good
managers and they haven’t been able to match
that mentality.”
BBC
Radio 5Live Non League Football Show –
for interviews and reaction to the championship
success (available for one week only).
5 April 2013
BLUES EDGE CLOSER
Chester edged closer
to the Conference North title last night with a
2-0 victory at Gainsborough Trinity. First half
goals from George Horan and Tony Gray were enough
to take the unbeaten run to 29 matches and bring
100 points for the season, a league record. The
Blues are at home to Boston United on Saturday and
should they better the result of second placed Guiseley
– who are away at third placed Brackley Town
– then they will be crowned champions for
the third successive year.
3 April 2013
SIX POINTS AWAY FROM TITLE?
Chester could wrap
up their third successive championship at the weekend
should they defeat Gainsborough Trinity tonight
and Boston United on Saturday. Guiseley could match
Chester for points (maximum 103) but the Blues currently
have a far superior goal difference of 30 goals
more that their rivals for the top spot.
Guiseley’s 1-1 home
draw with FA Halifax Town last night set up the
scenario. Boston are the only side to beat Chester
in the league this season.
1 April 2013
EASTER DOUBLE FOR
BLUES
Goals
from Matty McGinn and Dom Collins gave Chester a
2-0 home win over Cheshire rivals Altrincham to
bring a maximum six points from Easter. The Robins
arrived at Chester with a eight match unbeaten run
and showed their quality in the second half.
McGinn opened the scoring midway
through the first half after a one-two with man
of the moment Tony Gray on the edge of the box
before unleashing an unstoppable shot past Stuart
Coburn in the visitors’ goal. Sean Densmore
had a great chance to equalise but sliced wide
at the other end. Nathan Jarman just failed to
meet a through ball to set up a second after the
break before teh Robins created, but failed to
convert, several chances of their own.
The game was wrapped up six
minutes from time as Collins, into the side that
won at Colwyn Bay for Paul Linwood, was first to
react as a George Horan cross was not cleared.
Records were broken on Monday as the unbeaten league
run reached 28 matches and the 31st victory of the
season is also a Conference North record previously
set by Kettering Town six years ago.
League
table after this match
Picture
� Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)
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GAME OFF The away match at Leamington on Tuesday has been postponed. |
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LAST
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LATE BURKE GOAL SAVES BLUES A late Harrison Burke equaliser rescues a point for Chester at Warrington. |
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