Chronicle Article 20 October 2000

Whilst the club has indicated that the visit by the FA Compliance Unit was routine, the recent situation at the Deva has been anything but, with a number of resignations from various posts over the past week. The retreat of Major Maund (Community Affairs director and safety certificate holder) has been particularly hasty.

This week has also provided a salutary reminder about the Blues standing in the pecking order following relegation. Variety Club Cup; Fourth Qualifying Round FA Cup draw; a visit to Forest Green; a crucial home game against Leigh Railway Mechanics Institute and no TV goals highlights. Sadly, we are accustomed to adversity and have to get on with it.

Blues fans received a warm reception at the Lawn last Saturday. It was somehow reassuring to be met on arrival by an elderly constable and a teenage steward, neither of whom had taken any special safety precautions in the face of the visit of the Cheshire hordes. We were welcomed into to their Social Club for the princely sum of 50p and enjoyed ourselves in the company of home fans until the shutters went down. That is shutters on the windows overlooking the corner flag. Whether this was to prevent a free view from the confines of the bar or to protect the windows from wayward shooting was debatable, but we drew a match we needed to win, should have won, – yet could have lost if Steve Whitehall had not headed off the line in injury time.

The point moved us up to third place, which in any other division would be excellent news. But we lost ground on the top two in a league where first place is everything. No wonder goal scorers are valued so highly, making the acquisition of the aforementioned Whitehall a top priority.

Our FA Cup draw has attracted international attention, on the Internet, that is. Teamtalk.com have been following the cup trail from the start; first with Seaham Red Star and currently with Easington, their conquerors two rounds ago. Should we beat Easington, they will latch on to City in our journey to the Millennium Stadium (wherever that is!). They have asked us for help and we will be pleased to oblige.

For the second week running, Chester City ISA FC conceded seven goals. However, in a routine game, they hit eleven in reply to record their first victory.

The next ISA members meeting is Monday 30th October and will feature Stuart Rimmer as guest speaker. The winner of last week's competition was Anne Selby of Hoole (ans. Whyteleafe).

Les Smith ISA Press Officer

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