Descent into Chaos (2000-2001)

Not without major difficulty, Barrow, in his second spell at the club, assembled a developing squad that, with strategic reinforcements, could have been serious contenders this season. However, like Ratcliffe, he experienced interference from Smith who criticised players for lack of effort and claimed credit for cup victories resulting from his scouting and planning expertise. This escalated towards the end of the season as Smith's diatribes in the match day programmes became longer. The media would be bombarded with lengthy faxes and threats of legal action abounded if any journalist stepped out of line. Players, the media, the PFA and of course the ISA, always the easy target as a result of their sustained opposition, came in for attack. But there was always one person exempt from criticism and singled out for praise, especially when the faxes were written in the third person.

Off the pitch, things were much worse and space does not permit anything like the full story. Two of the former ISA directors resigned soon after relegation. The FA Compliance Unit visited and the results of the investigation are still not in the public domain, although the two remaining directors resigned shortly after the visit, one having been in post barely three weeks. Wages problems had also surfaced and an Inland Revenue investigation is reported to be still underway. There were even two alleged assaults by the Chairman on members of staff, both of which were dropped by the police for insufficient evidence. Stewarding difficulties following one of these incidents led to the only match postponement during the petrol blockade, and the Club was fined by the Conference.

Smith has publicly claimed both profit and losses for the 99/00 season although accounts have yet to be filed at Companies House. When they were a year overdue, in Spring 2001, he resigned as Chairman leaving no UK based board members. He had announced in turn; a bid to buy the stadium from the city council; plans to invite local businessmen onto the Board; the sale of the club on health grounds due to a 120hr week. He took it off the market despite firm local interest from businessmen, and the newly formed Chester City Supporters Trust (an IPS formed with Government backing). As the season wore on, a Liverpool based consortium thought they had secured the club on several occasions only for the situation to change almost overnight.

The defence had been sorted out but Barrow's lack of strikers prevented a promotion push. We had good cup runs (which Smith took credit for) and were "robbed" at Blackburn when we were disallowed a perfectly good goal. Progress in the FA Trophy helped keep the season alive. For well over a year, the ISA had stood alone and firm as a voice against Smith. However this was not echoed by the vast majority of fans and a poor attendance at the ISA AGM prompted the committee to refrain from any further comment and withdraw their column from the Chester Chronicle. In short, we decided to let matters take their course. However, the defeat by Canvey Island in the Trophy semi-final was a defining factor. "Smith Out" banners produced by the ISA and unveiled during the home (second) leg when the game was lost, provoked an angry reaction from Smith. It also served to also increase the tension between fans, many of whom were still not aware of or concerned with the difficulties behind the scenes. Once again supporters railed against supporters. It was the much publicised "sitting down" of Paul Beesley for "misalignment" at free kicks during the tie, closely followed by the sacking of Official Supporters Club chairman Barry Hipkiss for not agreeing with Smith's unworkable idea for supporter participation, that was the last straw for many fans previously tolerant of Smith's antics. Hipkiss, perhaps Chester's most respected supporter, was a lifelong fan who had worked unpaid for the club for over 20yrs, including co-ordinating turnstile operations and gate receipts, and organising away travel.

Supporters groups became united. The "Smith Out" campaign escalated and the final league game against champions Rushden & Diamonds was preceded by a coffin march by around 750 fans, and finished with the mass resignation of matchday stewards. ISA Chairman George Rogers stood as a FANS (for a new start) candidate in Chester at the General Election and polled 763 votes. A point was made, but not heeded by the club. Physio Joe Hinigan was dismissed in a phone call from the States whilst Barrow was later sacked, also by phone, by hired gun and ex-Stone Roses manager Gareth Evans. No doubt more legal action will follow on the lines of unfair dismissal.

Les Smith
23 September 2001