Chronicle Article 12 January 2001

You couldn't make it up could you? FA Cup tie at premier league standard ground held up by crowd congestion caused by non-league club. Stewards and police alike showed a bizarre inability to deal with a situation that could have led to trouble for less accommodating fans. >From the dizzy heights of the top tier, when it was eventually opened, our Newcastle look alikes resembled subbuteo figures, but there was no mistaking the effort put in by boys in the black and white stripes. Wrong it may be to single out a player, but another solid performance from Martyn Lancaster justified the faith shown in him by Graham Barrow. Is he now realising the potential of two long years ago? Darren Moss, in a cameo appearance, showed flashes of the brilliance he is surely capable of. But for a handful of missed chances and a debatable refereeing decision we would have left as winners. Nevertheless, the fans accepted a gallant defeat graciously.Well done Graham Barrow and the boys we are proud of you!.

In last Friday's "In the Boardroom" feature on Talksport, in which the Chairman fielded fan's questions for almost two hours, it became clear that he has many supporters who gained access to the airwaves who were simply grateful their beloved Blues had been saved by his intervention. There is no doubt that the club was saved at the 11th hour. However the ISA and local businessmen also lodged a joint bid for the club (remember the Back the Bid meeting at the Town Hall?) before Smith came on the scene. Through this involvement, we have been able to explain the financial situation and the contents of the cva document to our membership on numerous occasions. Although we would beg to differ on certain claims made by the Chairman we do not wish to reopen old wounds. It is worth remembering, however, that the administrator's work in preparing the cva was responsible for wiping out a large portion of debts. Whilst football debts were to be paid in full, Governmental agencies (eg Inland Revenue) received 35pence in the pound, with them writing of £166,000. But unsecured creditors (businesses) received nothing, writing of another £400,000. In contrast to his broadcast claim of wiping out a debt totalling £1m, the Chairman produced figures at the Fans Forum in August to show that the club lost over half a million pounds last season. It is difficult to resolve these two claims.

It was disturbing to learn that last season's £280,000 TV money was overpaid by the league last season. This has apparently reduced this season's 50% parachute payment by around 30%: one of the reasons why money from Blackburn is unlikely to be made available for team strengthening. In contrast was good to hear the Chairman assure Graham Ross of the Supporters' Trust that meetings will take place and the necessary financial information made available to further the prospect of share purchase.And there was some good news for existing shareholders with the Chaiman announcing Company Accounts will be ready in 2 weeks time.

The ISA sponsored Chester ladies FC are still doing the business on the pitch, as they continue to progress in the AXA FA Ladies Cup after seeing of Northern Premier League side Coventry Ladies with a 3-0 victory at home last Sunday, they are playing away to National League Premier Division club Liverpool in the 4th Round away this Sunday, we wish them all the best.

You can meet two of Chester City's old boys Bob Delgado and Grenville Millington as they are the guest speakers at the next members meeting which is on Monday the 15th January 2001 at the the usual venue the Royal Mail Club and starts at 7.30pm.

Don't forget the AGM on the 12th February 2001 also at the Royal Mail Club at 7.30pm.

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