Chronicle Article 29 September 2000

For a Port Vale fanatic to record an album entitled "Sing when you're winning" probably takes a lot of bottle, but Robbie Williams, like us, has not had much to sing about on the football front recently. However, City fans should be singing their heads off at Hednesford on Saturday given the rarity of two wins on the trot/bounce/spin/run. After the off the pitch problems of the previous week, Graham Barrow and the team have responded magnificently to give us exactly what we really want to see, goals and wins.

It must have been a relief to all that the Conference chose to punish the Club lightly for the Hayes' postponement, rather than the widely predicted £5000 fine and three points deduction. Loss of points would have been demoralising for players and fans alike and we should count ourselves lucky. With the two wins, we have effectively gained nine points in a week and that can't be bad.

Injury, illness and suspensions have prevented Graham fielding a settled side, yet there are times, like Tuesday, when things seem to be coming together. Consistency and confidence are not instantly achieved and patience is required.

Is it a coincidence that we have scored seven in two games since the loan signing of Steve Whitehall? Or has Graham threatened to demonstrate the fine art of tackling, 1980's style? Is there a lucrative bonus scheme? Have they simply clicked? Whatever, compared with only eight goals from the previous eight games, something is working.

City fans will probably have been consulting their road maps to find where Hednesford is. Since they have the worst defence in the league and we have the second best there are hopes of seeing a third consecutive win. As Hednesford also have the second best attack it could be an exciting game, hopefully with plenty to sing about.

Congratulations go to Chester City Ladies (sponsored by the ISA) for their unbeaten start to the season and progress through two preliminary rounds of the Axa FA Womens Cup. They next meet Scunthorpe Ladies in the First Round proper.

Congratulations also to Chester City ISA FC who, despite failing to record a Sunday League or Cup victory have proved they can sing (metaphorically) when they are losing. They are also promoting City and the ISA around the community on their shirts, and had a massive twenty-seven players turn up for their last game. We await their first win with anticipation.

The Disabled Supporters Association now has a membership into double figures. Anyone interested in joining or helping should contact Richard Wightman on 07966 462561 or via the ISA.

Two tickets for next Sunday's home match vs Kettering can be yours if you know which City player appeared in every minute of every game last season. Answers to the address below, closing date Thursday 5th Oct.

The first ISA Quiz Night is on Monday 2nd Oct at the Cross Keys, Lower Bridge Street, kick off 8.00pm. Teams of 5 (max) will compete for magnificent prizes for the princely sum of £1 per team. Hopefully this will be preceded by wins for City, City Ladies, and the ISA. We would have reason to sing then.

Les Smith ISA Press Officer

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