Press & Publicity

PRESS RELEASE Chester City I.S.A. Committee 8 March 2001

The views of the ISA Committee towards Terry Smith's running of the football club are longstanding and well known. Given the history of his previous interference on the playing side we find it inconceivable that he should appoint himself to the coaching staff once again. Graham Barrow and his backroom staff are already doing an excellent job, especially in the light of the injury situation and the resources they have received. The credit should be theirs. We urge all fans to show them and the players maximum support on Saturday in a game that could define the rest of our season. ISA Committee.

PRESS RELEASE Chester City I.S.A. Committee 25 May 2000

Tuesday 23 May 2000 was another sad day in the history of Chester City Football Club. After numerous completely untrue claims in the Halifax Match Programme on the 18 December 1999 the Chairman of Chester City Football Club has continued his scurrilous and vexatious attacks on the Committee of the largest Chester City Supporters’ Organisation. To say the I.S.A. Committee is disgusted by his latest outbursts would be the understatement of the year. An example of the untrue claims made in the Halifax programme was that Michael Fair, Paul Murray and David Evans had resigned from the I.S.A. This is completely untrue and we have extensive documentary evidence to prove this. We understand from them that the whole of page 3 of that Programme was written without their knowledge or consent. Our Solicitor also confirmed in writing that untrue statements had been made on page 3 of that Programme in respect of the Proposed Share Issue.

Turning to the latest attacks on the I.S.A. committee nobody has had more publicity, or courted it more, than Terry Smith. The suggestion that the I.S.A. Committee want to control the Club is quite frankly laughable. The suggestion that the failure of the Proposed Share Issue was because of the fault of the I.S.A. Committee is completely untrue. The full facts were explained to the Loan stock Holders in a letter sent to them on 3 January 2000. As the previous I.S.A. Chairman said to Terry Smith at the last Fans ’Forum "if you don’t believe us, sue us". Proof of ownership has never been supplied and it would have been illegal not to have disclosed claims against the Club. The decision at the Ratcliffe Tribunal on 8 May 2000 totally vindicated the Due Diligence undertaken. The Four absurd conditions for the Share Issue going through, which were suddenly introduced on the 20 October 1999, were repeated by Terry Smith prior to the Brighton Game. The conditions being

1.The I.S.A. would cease to be an independent organisation.
2.The I.S.A Committee would cease to exist and be replaced by the Three I.S.A. Directors.
3.All I.S.A. Press Releases would have to be veted first by Chester City Football Club.
4.These conditions to take effect over an agreed time scale. Whoever heard of an I.S.A. that wasn’t Independent? The Share Issue by the I.S.A. Trust Fund was an irrevocable Legal Agreement. Terry Smith has reneged on this irrevocable Legal Agreement.

The suggestion that the I.S.A. wants to buy the Club is both outrageous and totally untrue The suggestion that Michael Fair, Paul Murray and David Evans led the Committee last season is untrue. The Committee was led by the Chairman, Mark Howell. Paul Murray was never elected on to the Committee. After Terry Smith cancelled the Share Issue in the Halifax Match Programme, a game ironically sponsored by the I.S.A., (although the name of the Match Sponsor was Omitted) Michael Fair, Paul Murray and David Evans should have resigned as Club Directors. Michael Fair resigned as the I.S.A. Trust Fund Director in early December 1999. There are no Shareholders (not just I.S.A .members) for Paul Murray and David Evans to represent. Messrs. Fair, Murray and Evans do not represent the views of the I.S.A .and have not done so for well over six months. The claim that the I.S.A. "Leaders" wanted the Board places for themselves is completely without foundation. It should be remembered Three Committee members were invited to a meeting on 2 October 1999 and were subjected to foul mouthed abuse by the Chairman, without any support from our supposed Colleagues on the Board. None of the I.S.A. Committee would even sit in the same room as the present Board as a result of this. Let alone wish to replace them.

Given all the free time and money spent to help the Club (Match and pitch sponsorship, Players accomodation and expenses etc.) to sum it up in the words" anyone can spend money already raised totally belittles the hard work of Supporters in the first place. There is not a single reference to the Great Escape 2000 campaign which again shows a tunnel vision view of the facts. Who do you think organised that? The I.S.A. Committee of course.

As to whether Chester City would have folded without Terry Smith only David Acland, the Creditors Committee and Mark Guterman can answer these questions. There were of course other serious bids on the table. It is very unlikely that the creditors would have refused any credible bid. In any event why rescue a dog and let it starve to death? Why did long serving employees Ratcliffe, Fogg and Wingrove go ? As regards the contracts of Ratcliffe and Wingrove which Solicitors and Accountants did the Due Diligence work before the purchase ? Is the Club going to sue them ? If not why not? Is it the case that Terry Smith did the equivalent of buying a house without using a Surveyor? The saving on Professional fees was false economy. Terry Smith suggests that paying the C.V.A. 18 months early is a vertue, however few business men would pay off a long term debt at the expense of future income, had the £150,000 been invested on a Manager and the playing staff earlier in the season we would probably be in the Third Division and not faced with a huge decrease in revenue in the Conference. Was the Ratcliffe contract lodged at the Football League ? Why did Terry Smith defend the claims instead of a Professional Lawyer ? Has the Club made a substantial profit this season ?

At the end of the day, the League tables don’t tell lies. If you are the Major Shareholder, Chairman and you appoint yourself Team Manager, despite having no qualifications to coach a professional Football Team (only resigning with the team in freefall with just 16 points after 25 games ). As they say in America "the Buck stops with you ". Kevin Ratcliffe continually had to sell or release players in the twelve months before he resigned. International signings were promised by Terry Smith but, apart from fleeting appearances by Angus Eve, the reality has been very different from the hype. The recent vote of no confidence in Terry Smith was at open meeting of all supporters which was co-chaired by the Chairman of the Official Supporters’ Club.

A vast amount of work goes into running a Supporters’ organisation and the whole of the I.S.A. Committee are totally disgusted by the latest attack on them by Terry Smith. Indeed the untrue claims are so numerous that the matter is going to be referred to our Solicitors because there are without doubt grounds to sue for libel and defamation . The I.S.A. Committee find it extremely sad that the Chairman of the Football Club they have supported for so long continues to make totally untrue claims and false accusations via the media.

Chester City I.S.A. Committee 25th May 2000

A YEAR IN THE LIFE
19 June 1999

It is exactly a year ago this month when six hardy souls met in the front room of the Commercial Hotel and decided that they, as Chester City supporters, were not happy with the way things seemed to be going at their beloved club. The Chester City Independent Supporters Association was formed that night, and little did they know how good their timing was. Within three weeks Kevin Ratcliffe had paid water rates, players had threatened to go on strike and the man at the helm of this sinking ship was nowhere to be seen.

Twelve months later, CCISA has nearly 900 members; has held various gatherings and meetings, both social and more serious, has paid expenses to unpaid players, funded loan transfers and raised over £110,000 in cash and share pledges for the club. People who had never met each other 12 months back have made friends for life. People from all walks of life, and from totally diverse backgrounds, have come together and worked so hard with one sole aim, to save THEIR football club.

This week that we are entering will show the true colours of any potential owner, as the deal being struck for the club will require total commitment from the interested parties. Only the administrator knows how close a deal is to being completed. He also knows that if it all fell apart tomorrow that one group would still be standing there, money on the table. That group would be those people who were there from day one. The supporters of Chester City Football Club. The supporters of this small, seemingly insignificant football club have shown the rest of football, especially those cash hungry Premiership clubs, the true spirit of football. In twelve short months, that little acorn has proven to be a strapping great oak tree.

As you may already know, Chester City ISA will be represented at the annual Supporters Association's 5 a side competition in Blackpool on July 3rd. A coach has been organised to take people to Blackpool, and costs £35 including bed and breakfast. Anybosy wishing to attend can contact ISA Social Officer Ed Jones on 01978 754994 after 6pm. Hurry, as places are selling out.

The main thing in the minds of the ISA committee this week has been the well being of our much loved Press Officer Michael Fair, who is currently recovering in hospital having had heart surgery on Thursday. Get well soon Mike, you are foremost in our thoughts. (There is nobody else willing to risk the writs!) Contact your ISA at Chester City ISA, PO Box 308, Chester CH1 5ZF

Mark Howell (for the Chester Chronicle)

PRESS RELEASE
CHESTER CITY FANS BID TO BUY THE CLUB
13 May 1999

WITH TIME FAST RUNNING OUT FOR CRISIS CLUB CHESTER CITY, THE INDEPENDENT SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION, JOINTLY WITH LOCAL BUSINESSMEN, TODAY INTEND TO FORMALLY REGISTER A BID WITH ADMINISTRATOR, DAVID ACLAND, TO PURCHASE THE CLUB.

ISA SPOKESMAN MICHAEL FAIR SAID, "THERE HAVE BEEN VARIOUS RUMOURS OF OFFERS BEING MADE WHICH HAVE BEEN MOST UNSETTLING FOR THE FANS, PLAYERS AND ALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE CLUB. TIME IS NOW OF THE ESSENCE. THE MONEY AT THE CLUB HAS RUN OUT AND THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE SHORTLY WILL BE WISHING TO PLAN FOR NEXT SEASON. IT IS THEREFORE ESSENTIAL THE SITUATION IS RESOLVED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

"GIVEN THIS SERIOUS SITUATION THE ISA, TOGETHER WITH A NUMBER OF LOCAL BUSINESS MEN, HEADED BY IAN SWETTENHAM, HAVE OVER THE PAST WEEK HELD DISCUSSIONS WITH DAVID ACLAND. CONSEQUENTLY A BUSINESS PLAN HAS BEEN FORMULATED AND WE ARE NOW READY TO MAKE A FORMAL BID TO PURCHASE THE CLUB. WE ARE TO BACK OUR BID WITH CASH, A CONDITION WHICH THE ADMINISTRATOR HAS REPEADTEDLY SAID NO-ONE ELSE HAS BEEN PREPARED TO DO"

THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL HAVE A NUMBER OF IMMEDIATE EFFECTS. FIRST THE ADMINISTRATOR WILL AT LAST HAVE SOMETHING TANGIBLE TO ASSIST HIM IN HIS DISCUSSIONS WITH THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE AND CREDITORS. SECOND, THE PLAYERS AND THE MANAGER, WHO ARE NATURALLY ANXIOUS AS TO THEIR IMMEDIATE FUTURE, WILL GAIN SOME SECURITY IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A FUTURE FOR THEM AT CHESTER CITY. AND FINALLY THE FANS WHO HAVE KEPT THE CLUB ALIVE OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS WILL BE REWARDED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY OF BECOMING A INTREGAL PART OF THEIR CLUB.

MR FAIR ADDED "THE ISA HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT THE INTERESTS OF THE CLUB WOULD BEST BE SERVED BY LOCAL OWNERSHIP. IT IS OUR INTENTION THAT ALL IN THE COMMUNITY WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUY INTO THE CLUB. IF WE ARE SUCCESSFUL WE INTEND TO MAKE A PUBLIC SHARE ISSUE. DUE TO STATUTORY REGULATIONS WE ARE NOT ABLE TO SAY MORE AT THIS STAGE ABOUT A PROBABLE SHARE ISSUE, BUT IT IS LIKELY TO BE ATTRACTIVE TO THE MODEST INVESTOR. TO ACCOMMODATE THE SMALLER INVESTOR WHO WANTS TO MAKE A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE PURCHASE AND SUBSEQUENT RUNNING OF THE CLUB, SAY UP TO A VALUE OF £250, THE ISA ARE TODAY LAUNCHING A TRUST FUND FOR THIS PURPOSE. WE ALREADY HAVE RECEIVED HUNDREDS OF PLEDGES FROM PEOPLE WANTING TO CONTRIBUTE AND WE WOULD ASK THEM TO SEND THEIR DONATIONS IN IMMEDIATELY. IF OUR BID IS NOT SUCCESSFUL ANY MONIES IN THE TRUST FUND WILL BE USED TO FURTHER THE AIMS OF THE ISA , WHICH OF COURSE MEANS THAT IT WILL FIND ITS WAY INTO THE FOOTBALL CLUB VIA A CONTROLLED AND AGREED ROUTE.

"THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF WHAT WE SEE TO BE A COMMUNITY CLUB, AND AT A LATER STAGE THEY WILL BE INVITED TO INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN A VARIETY OF SPONSORSHIP ACTIVITIES.

THE CIVIC AUTHORITY TOO HAS AN IMPORTANT PLACE IN OUR PLANS. I AM DELIGHTED THEREFORE TO BE ABLE TO REPORT THAT THE ISA ARE INVOLVED IN POSITIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH BOTH ELECTED MEMBERS AND OFFICERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.TOGETHER WE ARE EXPLORING WAYS IN WHICH PARTNERSHIPS AND PROJECTS CAN BE DEVELOPED BETWEEN CHESTER CITY COUNCIL AND THE CLUB."

A PUBLIC MEETING IS TO BE HELD AT CHESTER TOWN HALL ON MONDAY 24 MAY COMMENCING AT 7.30PM WHEN MORE DETAILS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE.

MR FAIR CONCLUDED " THIS IS A VERY EXCITING DEVELOPMENT WHICH REFLECTS THE INTENSE INTEREST THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS FOR CHESTER CITY FC, AND THE IMPORTANCE THAT THE COMMUNITY PLACES ON THE NEED FOR SUCH A PRESTIGIOUS CITY TO MAINTAIN IT'S FOOTBALL LEAGUE STATUS. IN ORDER THAT WE CAN MAKE QUICK PROGRESS IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT DONATIONS TO THE TRUST FUND ARE SENT IN. CHEQUES SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO CHESTER CITY ISA AND ADDRESSED TO THE ISA, PO BOX 308 CHESTER CH1 5ZF."

END

EDITORS;
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT MICHAEL FAIR ON 01244 541281 OR 0374
729802

LEAGUE BOSS AT MATCH
15 January 1999
Football League chairman Richard Scudamore is attending tonight's match. He will sign the visitors book upon arrival.

FANS UNITED 3
14 January 1999
ISA Press Officer Mike Fair's been busy publicising tomorrow's match this week. The interest from the media has been terrific with both local and national radio and television stations taking interviews.

"I've done a piece on Birmingham Ind radio about a chap called Lyndon Jones from Basingstoke who has sent £100 for 10 tckets to go to 2 each supporters of Walsall Wolves WBA Birmingham and Villa. Any fans, first come first served can have them! Today I've done 8 local radio interviews, Carlisle, Norfolk, Essex, Merseyside, Silk FM, Marcher, Birmingham, and Greater Manchester. Also I've done a pre-recorded bit for Sky TV to go out Thurs @ 6.30. The BBC North West and Granada are both to present their regional sports slots live from the ground on Friday night and have asked me to talk about the work of the ISA."

FANFARE
7 January 1999 – Evening Leader
Football fans from all over the country and some from overseas have pledged their support to Chester City's 'Fans United Day'. The Blues want to make next Friday's live game against Brighton a night to remember as fans prepare to flock to The Deva.

"We want fans from every club to wear their teams' colours and turn up not for the good of Chester City but for the good of the game of football," said City's Independent Supporters' Association spokesman Michael Fair.

"Fans from Norwich, Bournemouth, Lincoln and Hull are coming and Liverpool, Everton and Man United supporters are also coming. Reports from Brighton suggest that around 1,000 fans are coming from the south coast and we want to make sure that all the Chester City fans turn up in force. The game is all-ticket and that doesn't help but with the game going out live on Sky, it's the first real opportunity to show how united fans are throughout the country.It's a big night for football and we want as many people there as possible. With the tie being on a Friday night, fans who live in Chester but support other clubs like Liverpool, Everton and Manchester United can also turn up."

MANSUN SUPPORT FOR CITY
21 December 1998
Chester rock band Mansun are planning a millennium concert in Chester (possibly at the Deva) and will be donating the proceeds to the football club. Mansun played at the Northgate Arena last Friday and helped publicise the work that the ISA are doing in Chester, indeed the ISA had a stall at the event where the handed out leaflets publicising forthcoming matches and highlighting the financial crisis at the club.

Mansun manager David Nicolls said the band can help get the message across about Chester City FC to some of their younger fans. "They look up to the band and they can helpout by saying things in public. Lead singer Paul Draper is always going on at me about what is happening at the Football Club. The band is very keen to involve Chester and they want to do this millennium concert in the city. Nothing has yet been set in stone but the idea and the principle is there".

Determined to help their local club Mansun had no hesitation in allowing the ISA to set up their stall. Said Paul Draper: "They asked us if we could give them some support and we said we'd be happy to do a benefit concert. It is down to them now, we have said we will provide our services free, so if they can arrange it we will be there I think it is very important to keep Chester's football club going because when I was a kid I trained with the team after winning a competition with the Evening Leader.

The club has done something for me and I want to give something back. I used to go down to the ground and watch the matches and the last time was when they moved to the Deva. Whenever we are away we always tune into the BBC world service to find out the football scores and see how Chester are doing. Chester City FC is a symbol of the city and it is important that it survives, it will only happen if everyone makes a concerted effort to save the club."

THE UNITED COLOURS OF FOOTBALL – FANS UNITED 3
11 December 1998

Chester City Football Club has been fortunate to be granted live coverage by Sky TV of their home game against Brighton on Friday 15 January 1999. This decision is due to the precarious position of Chester City and Brighton’s previous threat of extinction making it a fitting match to highlight the plight of Clubs in the lower divisions.

With this in mind the Chester City Independent Supporters Association together with Brighton fans believe it to be the ideal opportunity to designate the day as the “3rd Fans Football Day“.

Chester City ISA are requesting all Football Supporters, regardless of their alliance to be represented at the game, if not in person then by sending their Club colours in the form of a scarf or shirt which will be displayed on the terraces and receive National coverage. This will reiterate the need and desire to retain grass roots football.

As in previous games a bucket collection will be made at the match to aid the continuing fight for the survival of Chester City FC. Money already raised with the assistance of Southend Utd, Brentford and Conference side Altrincham has made a difference to the ISA campaign through leaflets promoting games, payers expences, sponsorship of the successful youth team and a contribution towards a loan player required to meet a crisis following injuries and suspensions.

Please help us in making a difference to our Club and highlight the problems faced by many lower division clubs at the present time – show your support.

ISA HELP FUND AISTON DEAL
27 November 1998

Chester City ISA have made a 'substantial' contribution towards the wages of loan player Sam Aiston who has returned to Chester again from Sunderland. They have also helped out groundsman Gary Kent with a contribution towards the cost of winter feed/dressing and remarking for the pitch for the remainder of the season. "We're not prepared to say how much money is involved for Sam, but the donation to Gary will be about £350." said ISA spokesman Mike Fair.

PRESS RELEASE
5 November 1998
In their continuing campaign to save their football club, the Chester City Independent Supporters Association are to lobby the Chairman of the Football League and the Minister of Sport in London next week (Wednesday 11th November).

The ISA is to temporarily switch from campaigning locally, to raise the profile of the Club on a national scale. They are also to raise the plight of a number of the other 71 members of the family of the Football League who are experiencing similar difficulties.

ISA Spokesman Michael Fair said " The situation we currently find ourselves in here at Chester City is not unique. We are probably sitting at the top of an ever-growing pyramid of Clubs. The Football League need to be doing more to address the problems faced by its Members. The game is awash with money what with TV royalties and other sponsorship deals, and we do not consider enough of that money is percolating down to the grass roots. The Football League say they are concerned for each of the 72 members of their "family" well if they do not act soon there will be a death in the family and we all know how distressing that can be. They also need to ensure that it is not the start of an epidemic.

"Clearly the Football League cannot be held responsible for the failings of individual Clubs who are in effect Limited Companies and we fully recognise this. But they do have a moral obligation to the fans of those Clubs and the image of our sport generally, to ensure that the Clubs conduct themselves in a proper manner. The introduction of stricter regulations on conduct of the business operations of Clubs would be most welcome."

Members of the ISA will be taking with them to the Football League a petition signed by nearly 5000 people indicating their support for Chester City FC. This is a direct response to Football League Chairman Richard Scudamores' question posed at a recent forum "Do the people of Chester want a football club?"

The ISA Members will be leaving Chester by coach at 9.00am (departing from Delamere Street) and meeting at the Football League Offices in Old Marylebone Road at 1.30pm. Mr Scudamore has been asked if he might make himself available to receive the petition and briefly listen to representations on behalf of the fans.

The ISA will then congregate at the St Stephen's entrance to the House of Commons at 3.15pm. Arrangements have been made to lobby local MP's, the Minister of Sport Tony Banks, Tom Pendry and other MP's involved in the all Party Committee on Football, in Committee Room 6 at 3.30pm

PRESS RELEASE
31 October 1998
Chester City supporters have again shown their commitment to their football club in the only way they can by turning up in their hundreds and digging deep into their pockets.

Following another high profile campaign by an army of volunteers from the Independent Supporters Association a crowd of 3,700 attended last Saturday's home game against local rivals Shrewsbury Town. This attendance almost doubles City's average home gate, represents an increase of almost a thousand on the corresponding fixture last year, and sustains the trend of increased attendance's at the Deva Stadium since the ISA's campaign to "Support Your Local Club."

Not withstanding the increase in attendance levels the fans have once again dug deep into their pockets and approximately £1,300 was raised at the game to bolster the ISA funds which are taking a heavy toll as the Association continues it's high profile of marketing the club.

Comments by TV pundit Mark Lawrenson on BBC's Football Focus last Saturday that "Chester is not a football City" have really stung Chester fans.

ISA spokesman Michael Fair said "Whilst we welcome the BBC's interest which gives our current situation national coverage and also highlights the plight of similar clubs in the lower divisions we think that the feature could have been more positive. There is a sea of change being experienced here at Chester City FC. On the pitch Kevin Ratcliffe continues to work wonders and we are in the middle of an unbeaten 8 game run. Not only that, the performances by his side are both exciting and entertaining and if we were not in the current financial difficulties the talking point would be about promotion. Off the pitch we seem to be going from strength to strength. Mark Lawrenson's comments that Chester is not a football city are more than a little uncharitable. Attendance's at home games are up, reflecting a greater confidence and affection for our club. The ratio of home fans to travelling fans to City's away games must be one of the best in the third division. In addition fans in bucket collections in three games have contributed something in the region of £3,500 to the ISA Fighting Fund, hardly the actions of a City not wanting a football club."

"Such demonstrations of support coupled with increasing local business and civic interest must make prospective purchasers of the club sit up and take notice. The clubs recently appointed administrator David Acland must be delighted with the response from City fans who are continually exceeding his target home gates and making the club an increasingly attractive proposition to sell on."