News from Deva Stadium June 2013

Midfielder Antoni Sarcevic has joined League Two side Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee on a three year deal. Sarcevic, 21, who picked up an England C cap earlier in the month, made 73+7 appearances in two spells with Chester, scoring 23 goals. The deal includes appearance add-ons and a sell-on clause. Crewe Alexandra, the club Sarcevic joined Chester from, will receive around 10% from the sale.

Manager Neil Young told the Chester Chronicle: “I’m very proud. His achievements are down solely to the lad himself but hopefully we’ve helped in terms of man-managing him to get the best out of him.”

“But there’s also disappointment as we’re losing someone who is arguably our best player. My view has always been that if he gets into a full-time environment and keeps his head down and works hard I believe he can become a Championship player. He’s a good lad and he’s got a good family and girlfriend around him. We wish him well.”

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

NEIL YOUNG TRAVELS TO MEET EXILED FANS
Chester FC manager Neil Young is making a 200-mile return trip for a close season ‘Meet the Manager’ event with Chester’s exiled supporters.

Young will be meeting members of the Chester Exiles Supporters’ Club at the Parcel Yard pub inside Kings Cross Station in London on Thursday July 25.

It will give any exiled fans within reach of London a chance to put their questions about the forthcoming season to the Conference North-winning manager.

BBC commentator and lifelong Chester fan, Jonathan Legard, is also expected be attending. Fans will also be able to have their photos taken with the Conference North and Cheshire Senior Cup Trophies.

The evening will start with the Chester Exiles AGM at 6.30pm, with Q&As with Neil Young starting from 7.30pm.

Pauline Meakins, Chester Exiles Chairman, said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming Neil Young to our Exiles AGM. I hope we get a good turnout of Exiles, as I am sure many will quiz Neil about the coming season and will want to shake his hand for the outstanding success so far!

“We are also pleased that Jonathan Legard’s busy BBC diary is also looking good for that evening so it should be a great night for everyone.”

Any City Fans United (CFU) members who live 25 miles from Chester are automatically members of the Chester Exiles. But the Exiles would also welcome any CFU members who may be in London that day, even if they aren’t officially an Exile. CFU membership forms will be available on the night for new or lapsed members.

So as to get an idea of numbers on the night, if you would like to come along please email the exiles at agm@chesterexiles.co.uk

FIXTURES
The full fixture list for the 2013/14 Football Conference Premier will be issued on Wednesday 3 July.

18 June 2013
EXILES AGM AND NEIL YOUNG SOCIAL
The Annual General Meeting of the Chester Exiles will take place on Thursday 25 July. The venue is The Parcel Yard, King’s Cross Station, London N1C 4AH. The members meeting will start promptly at 18:30hrs and we are pleased to announce it will be followed by a social night with Blues manager Neil Young from 19:30hrs to which all Chester fans and friends are invited. Food will be available on the night. Big Lupus has checked his diary and should also be joining the get together!

So as to get an idea of numbers on the night, if you would like to come along please email the exiles at agm@chesterexiles.co.uk

• The Parcel Yard

14 June 2013
DUO DEPART
As expected Nathan Jarman and Dave Hankin, who were both placed on the transfer list have left Chester. Hankin, scored four goals in 38+9 appearances for Chester and has joined AFC Fylde for a nominal fee. Jarman was the leading scorer last season with 17 goals in 40+10 appearances. He’s joined North Ferriby United a move that will involve less travelling from his home in Scunthorpe, there was no fee involved.

• Player transfers

FORMER CHAIRMAN STANDS DOWN
Chris Pilsbury who stood as the first chairman of Chester in 2010 has stepped down from the board of directors. He was re-elected as a director at the CFU Annual General Meeting last November when Tony Durkin was appointed the new chairman.

10 June 2013
CONFERENCE AWARDS FOR BLUES
Neil Young has been named Conference North Manager of the Year after guiding the Blues to their third successive championship. It’s a double celebration for Chester as Antoni Sarcevic has also been named Conference North Player of the Year following the Conference AGM at the weekend. The division team of the year also contained four Chester players in George Horan, Paul Linwood, Matty McGinn and Sarcevic. The full team was:

1. Steven Drench (Guiseley AFC)
2. George Horan (Chester FC)
3. Liam Hogan (FC Halifax Town)
4. Paul Linwood (Chester FC)
5. Matty McGinn (Chester FC)
6. Andy Holdsworth (Guiseley AFC)
7. Damien Reeves (Altrincham)
8. Dan Gardner (FC Halifax Town)
9. Duncan Watmore (Altrincham)
10. Lee Gregory (FC Halifax Town)
11. Antoni Sarcevic (Chester FC)

Aldershot Town have been accepted into the Conference Premier next season but will start on -10 points after entering administration. The Shots finished bottom of League Two last season.

TWO MORE EXPECTED TO LEAVE
Both Dave Hankin and Nathan Jarman who are currently on the transfer list are expected to leave Chester this week.

5 June 2013
ENGLAND DEBUT FOR SARCEVIC
Antoni Sarcevic made his England C debut last night in Bermuda and marked it with a quality goal after just five minutes curling a shot past goalkeeper Stefan Dill to open the scoring after playing a slick one-two with Marlon Jackson. England went on to win the friendly match that was played at the National Stadium in Hamilton, Bermuda 6-1.

England C: Preston Edwards (Mitchell Walker 46), Ryan Jackson, Fraser Franks, Anthony Acheampong, Mickey Demetriou (Chris Stokes 46), Harry Beautyman, Johnny Hunt, Antoni Sarcevic (Dan Bradley 46), Sam Clucas, Marlon Jackson (James Norwood 46), Andy Cook (Andre Gray 46).

• Match report and highlights

TELFORD FRIENDLY
Chester will play AFC Telford United in a pre-season friendly at the New Bucks Head on Tuesday 30 July, kick-off 19.30hrs. Former players Matty McGinn, Wes Baynes and Tony Gray moved to the Shropshire side recently.

• Pre-season friendlies

2 June 2013
THE AWARDS KEEP COMING!
Just days after picking up the Non-League paper Team of the Year award, Chester have won another one as manager Neil Young and members of staff were presented with the BBC Radio5 606’s Non Leage Team of the Year award, at the Big Day Out event at the Liverpool Echo Arena on Saturday night. The award was presented by BBC Non League Show’s Caroline Barker in front of an audience of 5,000.

Manager Neil Young told the Chester Leader: “It was a bit scary stepping up to receive the award in front of so many people and with the event also being aired live on radio. But it was nice to pick up yet another award, particularly in front of Wrexham fan and BBC football pundit, Robbie Savage, who was trying to give me some stick!”

“But it was great to see Chester winning the BBC Radio Five Live Team award on the back of our Non League Paper Team of the Year Award ceremony at Fulham FC recently. The awards underline how much our success has been appreciated and I am delighted that Chester have received so much deserved exposure by the media.”

• Clips from the end of season awards ceremony can be viewed here for the next five days (Chester feature from about 50 minutes onwards).

Webmaster |

Back | Top