Terry Smith FC (2001-?)

Gordon Hill, a long time friend of Smith, who had been brought in behind Atkins back, was controversially appointed youth team manager by Smith during Barrow's reign. Despite the abysmal record of the side, he was elevated to Director of Football during the close season, and it was hardly surprising that he took over team affairs upon Barrow's dismissal.

Fans began a daily picket outside the Deva, which is still in place, whilst a supporters' boycott has seen gates fall to just over 600, some 2000 down on our relegation average. Given the various happenings at the Deva since Barrow's sacking, this is hardly surprising. Because of the stewards' walk out and Smith's reluctance to hire outside help, the ground safety certificate was withdrawn and potentially lucrative friendlies against Everton and Tranmere had to be cancelled. A further friendly against Lincoln was cancelled at short notice, the official explanation being a waterlogged pitch; this at the height of summer. The eventual hiring of external stewards allowed a reduced capacity Deva and increased Smith's wage bill dramatically. Manchester City sent their youth team although this was not exactly reflected in the pre-match publicity or the entrance prices. Many fans vented their spleen on Hill at an away fixture at Connah's Quay Nomads, whilst peaceful protesters continued to boycott the Deva.

The club effectively changed its name to Terry Smith FC. Even the new strip seemed designed to alienate the fans, changing to sky and navy stripes. Replica kit sales have hardly taken off. His dream of a Hill/Smith coaching team has failed, but he sees Hill as the next best thing. Whether he will suffer the same fate as the two previous incumbents, Atkins and Barrow, remains to be seen. Atkins and Barrow did have the disadvantage of a high level of fans' support and affection, something Hill might struggle to emulate.

Since Hill's elevation, there has been an exodus of experienced players and talented youngsters through sackings and transfers and others are queuing up to get away. Moss and Doughty have moved to Nationwide League sides whilst Woods, Fisher, Carden and Whitehall have found Conference clubs. Paul Beesley is in Ireland and Gaunt is concentrating on business. Some have spoken out of their bitter and almost unbelievable experiences, their sadness for the fans and for the players who are still there. Wayne Brown's outspokenness, despite a club gagging order, has hardly endeared him to Smith, and offers are awaited.

Smith's father has been over but the mess is no nearer resolution. There have been several "phantom buyers" who have allegedly pulled out for various reasons. At one arranged press conference to unveil the new owners, the media assembled to meet a bemused Gordon Hill and club secretary Mike Fair, with Smith having disappeared from his home. There followed faxes to the media about the failure of others, attacks on his home, a poster campaign, another attack on the ISA as being the main culprits, and a negative campaign by the media. Somewhere along the way there has been an unworkable offer to "let the fans run the club", whilst the Supporters Trust and local businessmen have been denied the opportunity to enter meaningful negotiations to purchase. The latest faxes to the media have said that unless gates rise to 1200 the current buyer will pull out. This would seem to be a form of blackmail. He has even faxed the club to say he wont be coming back, but in Smith's world, nothing is true except his last untruth.

In August, the media reported the Inland Revenue investigation whilst the FA Compliance Unit report was delivered to the club. Smith's immediate reaction was to report the theft of accounts from the Deva, at some unknown time, which could have been altered to the detriment of the club. One body has taken legal steps against his flouting of all authority. The city council have taken action over breaking the terms of the lease at the Deva through the holding of car and TV sales on the premises. The most recent faxes have, not surprisingly, included the council along with all the other bad guys and indicated that the current "buyer" will pull out unless the lease is changed to allow other events to take place. In recent weeks, even Fair, one of the original ISA directors relinquished his post.

The fall of Chester City as a league club, probably like Doncaster before us, has been nothing short of a major football scandal. What the final outcome will be is impossible to predict. The debts and liabilities are unknown and for Smith senior would to write them off as an act of redemption/magnanimity is probably wishful thinking.

But the way things are there is really no future. This is not an ISA dispute anymore. This is a fans dispute and each individual is dealing with it in his/her own way. For the first time, Barry Hipkiss had to cancel the supporters away travel coach due to lack of interest. The long-time match announcer cannot bear to watch a club he fells no affinity for, a feeling shared by many hundreds. Some have travelled to Rochdale, because Matty Doughty, arguably our best young player, went there, incredibly on a free. Others have defected to Vauxhall Motors in the Unibond. Some have even gone to Scotland to add new grounds to their collection. Some probably go to Tesco, or even Crewe. It is all too sad. Many join the picket line on matchdays not wishing to give the Smith regime a penny but to register their displeasure in a dignified manner. And the pickets are dignified, withdrawing all banners on the night of the American tragedy last week. They co-operate fully with the police and do not attempt to dissuade other supporters from entering the Deva.

It is said that around two dozen stewards have returned to the Deva, although with the team's current poor form and state of backroom chaos, it is doubtful whether many more supporters can be enticed to shell out £12. Of course there are no protests inside the Deva any more, just silence. And Smith does not attend anyway.

The lesson learned

Until football clubs are properly regulated and inspected, no club is safe. With the FA running things with a big carpet and a brush (eg Chesterfield) it will be a miracle of Biblical proportions if a Div 2 team is properly scrutinised, let alone a Conference outfit with a one way ticket to the Unibond. Next season it could be you so take an interest in what happens off the pitch as well as on it.! Football clubs are killed in the boardrooms before a ball is kicked.

Les Smith
23 September 2001