Chronicle Article 21 April 2000

If Dan Brooks rode "the Big One" or visited the Fun House in his time at Blackpool Pleasure Beach they surely couldn't compare with the ups and downs at Chester City FC.

After three months planning and the odd setback, the Great Escape 2000 is still on. The light at the end of the tunnel is shining a bit more brightly but we've still got to get out of the woods. Nevertheless, we're used to the glare of the spotlights. Are the others? Twelve critical matches to go, (fourteen if you include Exeter).

No doubt the away support at Macc will be as fervent as that at Orient, which truly beggared belief. How many times can anybody chant "Ian Atkins' Blue and White army" at full volume without being approached by men in white coats? (I don't mean stewards). The players must be benefiting from it and their celebrations at the final whistle demonstrated absolute commitment to the cause. The crowd support has to be maintained at the Deva on Monday, whatever Saturday's results. We are getting more flags to add colour to what ought to be a continuous wall of sound. Remember, it's good to shout!

The presentations of the ISA annual players' awards will be made at the "Do" on Saturday 13th May at the United Services Club, so please send in your voting forms. If we could award contracts, Ian Atkins would be the first to get one. A fortnight ago the Chairman told a local journalist that talks would begin in a couple of weeks. On Monday, another scribe reported him as saying that they would begin when we were safe. He also said that he had done the research to pick the right man in Ian Atkins. In scientific investigations, background research is followed by experimentation, gathering of results, analysis, and conclusions. Football is hardly science, but if the experiment was Ian taking charge of football matters and the results are the team's performances, then the inescapable conclusion is that Atkins is indeed the right man for the job. QED. The subsequent action should surely be to secure his services now, before someone else does.

The End of Season Draw tickets for a first prize of £1000 are now on sale. Any income will be used to provide and promote support for Chester City FC and its supporters, and for the promotion of football in the community in general. This is our first fund raising event of the season and is necessary in order to recover our financial position for next season's demands.

Congratulations to ISA member and Deva regular, Brian Smith from Hertfordshire, who completed the London Marathon in City's colours. Thanks to all who contributed to his chosen charity, the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research.

The next ISA members' meeting will be on Tuesday 25th April at the Royal Mail Club. Guest speaker is Stuart Hicks, who was afforded the unusual accolade of applause from both sets of fans at Orient.

Les Smith ISA chairman

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