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30 June 1998
RICHARDSON AGREES NEW DEAL
City midfielder and player
of the season Nick Richardson has agreed a new one-year
deal at the Deva. This is great news for all Blues fans
who must have feared that the player would move on after
initially being disappointed with the offer made to him
by City. Full back Alex Smith has also now signed for
next season after returning from holiday.
27 June 1998
RIMMER REJECTS AFRICAN MOVE
Former Chester striker Stuart
Rimmer has turned down the chance to carve out a new career
in South Africa. Rimmer was released at the end of last
season and is still looking for a new club after rejecting
a move to Capetown City. He said: “Pat Van den Hauwe’s
out there and they offered me a contract but I didn’t
take it up.”
26 June 1998
BANK HOLIDAY FIXTURE MOVE?
As well as the home game with
Hull City, it looks as though City are going to rearrange
the home fixture with Cambridge United scheduled for the
August 31st the bank holiday. According to Bill
Wingrove: “We may put it back until the Tuesday
because some people will still be on holiday.”
The fixture at Rotherham United scheduled for Saturday
December 19th has been brought forward to the Friday night (18th).
Meanwhile the club will unveil their new blue and
white striped kit in the pre-season home game with Everton on July 25th.
18 June 1998
DEVA OPEN DAY
The open day at the Deva Stadium this summer will
take place on Sunday August 2nd, it was originally planned to coincide
the event with the Everton game but it has now been changed. It will
give the fans a chance to come and have a look behind the scenes and to
meet the players. said Bill Wingrove.
Meanwhile on the playing front, Nick Richardson, who
is now a free agent, is due to have talks with Halifax Town this week
and Matt Woods has refused to sign his new contract. Manager Kevin Ratcliffe
is still looking to sign three new players before the start of the new
season.
Due to a clash with Chester Races, the home game
with Hull City scheduled for Saturday August 22nd is to be re-arranged.
It will probably take place on the Friday night or the following Tuesday,
the Chester police are apparently unable to cover both events on the same
day!
15 June 1998
CITY KICK-OFF AT HOME
Chester will kick off the new season at home on
August 8th to Leyton Orient.
11 June 1998
CITY CLOSE TO SIGNING
Chester are reported to be
close to signing left sided full back Alex Smith. The
22-year-old Liverpool-born defender was previously with
Everton, Swindon Town and Huddersfield Town. City manager
Kevin Ratcliffe said: “I have known about him for
a few years and am very pleased with the signing. There
was no fee involved.” The defender is currently
on holiday and will sign when he returns.
9 June 1998
RATCLIFFE LOOKING FOR CHANGE
City manager Kevin Ratcliffe
has been speaking in the Leader about the changes he want's
to see in the side next season. Last year a transfer embargo
was placed on the club preventing any new signings being
made.
“Thankfully we can bring in players this season
and I think that will make a big difference. Players were
just turning up and getting the place in the side, that
will change next season. There was no competition for
places.”
“Ive brought two in and I want another four
new signings before the start of the season. Ill
also be looking to bring in some long term loan signings.
I had to be ruthless (in letting seven players go) and
thats something that I will follow through next
season. Players were taking it for granted they were in
the side. I want a lot more competition for players. Ill
look to have a squad of 20 and were also lucky that
so many good youngsters are coming through the ranks.
Shaun Reid will be fit for the start of the season and
in fact he could have played at the end of last season,
added Ratcliffe.
“Its great to have him back. Hes good
for the team, great in the dressing room and the fans
love his style of play. And I want to see some of the
other players adopt his approach. I want to see them roll
up their sleeves, get stuck in and fight for the points.
Weve got to go to places like Hartlepool, Darlington
and Brighton and battle away. Too many times last season,
players let their heads go down and our away form will
be crucial next season.
Its going to be a much more difficult division to
get out of with the likes of Carlisle, Brentford, Plymouth
and Southend coming down.
5 June 1998
TWO MATCH BAN FOR WHELAN
At an FA disciplinary hearing in Manchester, Blues
defender Spencer Whelan was banned for two matches and fined £100
following his eleven bookings tally for last season. Chairman Mark Guterman
was present at the hearing with Whelan.
2 June 1998
CITY TO MISS OUT ON DEFENDER?
Darlington centre-half Andy
Crosby looks set to turn down a move to the Deva. Manager
Kevin Ratcliffe has been trying to buy the 25-year-old
defender and had offered him a three year deal to come
to City. But Ratcliffe confirmed: “I’ve offered
him something but I think he’s going to sign for
one of the London clubs. It’s not looking good.
Another club can afford more than what we could afford
and it looks like he will sign for them.”
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