Chronicle Article 17 December 1999

After the excellent performance by the players against Manchester City on Sunday, attention quickly reverted to other matters at the specially convened ISA members meeting on Monday at the Cheshire County Officers Sports Club. In unfamiliar surroundings, the main topic of the evening, as requested by the membership was the playing record and the role of team manager. Terry Smith had been invited in view of the postponement of the fans' forum on Dec 15th (rearranged Darlington match) but was unable to attend because of a prior engagement.

The meeting was attended by around ninety members who questioned, listened, debated and voiced their opinions. Perhaps the meeting was not large in number, but it was not lacking in concern or cross-section. These members were from the terraces, the stand and the executive club. There were season ticket holders and pay at the gate members. There were Chester City fans of 20, 30, 40 years and more. Why were they there? Because they cared about the future of Chester City Football Club and they looked to the ISA as an organised vehicle for voicing their opinions. They had bothered to turn up, so they were the fans' representatives. It has often been said in the past that the ISA is an open and transparent organisation. So it was on Monday.

Words in print, as well as the spoken word can be very emotive. Which is the more emotive, a vote of no confidence or a polite request to step down as team manager? In truth they amount to the same thing. The motion was proposed not just once, and after not inconsiderable reasoned discussion and debate. There were no dissenting voices as to the principle of the motion. These same supporters recognised all too clearly the role played by Terry Smith in saving the Club from non-league football and subsequently eliminating the debts, and this was not forgotten at the meeting. The fear of relegation to the Conference was the main point at issue on Monday.

The committee was asked to convey the feelings of the members to Terry Smith and to request a meeting to discuss them. Furthermore it was requested that a fans' forum be held next week if possible. The meeting was declined. We will now consider these matters carefully, especially in view of the effect on the share offer to members in which we have attempted to act with due diligence on behalf of the applicants throughout. In addition, monies in the Trust Fund (for Trust Fund directorship) have been lodged with our solicitors and available to the Club for several months whilst awaiting receipt of Football Club shares.

The ISA Committee has always attempted to be a representative voice for the fans. It has also tried to complete the share transfer process. Members who have attended recent meetings appreciate the difficulties we have faced. If any members wish to contact us with their comments, please do so. Over recent weeks, we have had a number of letters and emails on the subject and we always try to respond.

This is a particularly difficult time for the Club and we would urge all supporters to get behind the players and maintain the high standard we have tried to uphold. The ISA are sponsoring the game against Halifax.

The next newsletter is now in preparation and will be issued with the revised constitution in the near future (when printing difficulties have been overcome).

Les Smith ISA chairman

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