March 2004 News

31 March 2004
BACK ON TOP
Two goals from Daryl Clare late in the game brought City three points and took them back to the top of the Nationwide Conference at Telford United last night. Around 1,500 City fans made the trip to the new Bucks Head and they were made to wait until the 76th minute before Clare opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Stanley was adjudged to have pushed Carey in the back. Minutes before the opener, keeper Andy Woods making his City debut, saved well when Stanley looked likely to score. City were made to battle all the way by the home side and it wasn't until the final minute that they wrapped up the points with Clare heading home a pinpoint Jamie Heard cross in front of the jubilant City fans.

30 March 2004
BLUES LOOK TO REGAIN TOP SPOT
Telford United

City manager Mark Wright is expected to hand both Lee Elam and Andy Woods debut’s tonight as City look for a win to regain top spot in the Nationwide Conference and go two points clear from leaders Hereford United. Jamie Heard, injured during City’s last match at Barnet is also hoping to have recovered in time for the relatively short trip to the impressive New Bucks Head where City are expected to be backed by a large following.

Hosts Telford are a club in turmoil having announced last week a debt of over £600,000. The players have taken a wage-cut and a bucket collection by fans is expected tomorrow. Despite their troubles, the side put up a good show drawing 0-0 at home to Canvey Island in Saturday’s FA Trophy semi-final first-leg.

There are four other Confrence matches tonight: Aldershot Town v Stevenage Borough, Barnet v Shrewsbury Town , Halifax Town v Burton Albion and Leigh RMI v Gravesend and Northfleet.

27 March 2004
CITY LOSE TOP SPOT
Hereford United’s 2-1 win over promotion rivals Shrewsbury Town today has taken them above City on goal difference to the top of the Nationwide Conference. The Blues had occupied the number one position since they went there with a victory at Morecambe in mid-November. City have two games in hand on the Bulls, the first of which is at Telford United on Tuesday night (19:45hrs) where a point (hopefully three) will see top spot regained.

25 March 2004
SHREWSBURY TICKETS
Ticket details have been announced for City’s visit to Gay Meadow on Tuesday 13 April (kick-off 19:45hrs). They will go on sale from 1 April at the following prices:

Seats: £14.00 adults, £9.00 concessions
Terrace: £12.00 adults, £7.00 concessions

Selling dates:
Thurday 1 April: Season ticket holders only, 1 ticket per person. Voucher E required. 10:00hrs to 19:00hrs from Turnstile 2.
Friday 2 April: Season ticket holders only, 1 ticket per person. Voucher E required. 10:00hrs to 19:00hrs from Turnstile 2.
Monday 5 April: General sale. 1 ticket per person. 10:00hrs to 19:00hrs from Turnstile 2.
Tuesday 6 April: General sale – unlimited number. 10:00hrs to 15:00hrs prompt from Turnstile 2.

Like the game with Hereford, tickets are expected to sell fast for this match, however should any tickets remain unsold at that time, then they will be sold from the main office from 09:00hrs Wednesday 7 April.

Once again sales are CASH ONLY.

Postal applications will also be accepted, please include a SAE with your order.

ELAM JOINS CITY ON LOAN
City manager Mark Wright has swooped once again into the transfer market to sign Yeovil Town midfielder Lee Elam on loan until the end of the season. Elam has played 15+1 games for Halifax Town this season scoring two goals and joined Yeovil Town in October 2003 where he made 6+6 appearances scoring one goal. Elam began his career in 1998 at Southport where he made 87+24 appearances scoring 32 goals, under the guidance of manager Mark Wright, before he moved to Morecambe four years later. He made 44+3 appearances for the Shrimps scoring 14 goals in 2002/03. Meanwhile City have decided not to extend the loan period of Danny Williams who returns to Kedderminster Harriers. Meanwhile the Daily Post reports that City have faxed a last-minute revised offer (money plus a player) to Morecambe for midfielder Stewart Drummond.

23 March 2004
TURNER CALLED UP
City goalkeeper Iain Turner may miss next Tuesday’s match at Telford United after being called up to the Scotland U21 squad for the game against Romania at Firhill. Andy Woods looks set to debut for the Blues at the Bucks Head should the Everton youngster not be available.

22 March 2004
NEW TELFORD DATE
City’s game at Telford United next week has been brought forward 24hrs to Tuesday 30 March, kick-off 19:45hrs. There will be NO seats available at the Bucks Head for visiting fans whose away terrace on the night will accommodate 1,400.

SHREWSBURY ALL-TICKET
City’s crunch game at Gay Meadow on Tuesday 13 April (kick-off 19:45hrs) will now be all-ticket. The Blues are expected to be given around 2,000 tickets.

BULLS CLOSE THE GAP
Chester’s lead at the top of the Nationwide Conference has been cut to three points after the Blues were held 0-0 at Barnet and Hereford United won 3-1 away at Margate. City have a game in hand over the Bulls but will lose top spot should Hereford defeat Shrewsbury Town in the Conference’s match of the day on Saturday, City being without a game due to opponents Aldershot Town’s FA Trophy semi-final. There were few chances to secure all three points at Underhill on Saturday but Darryn Stamp was guilty of missing the best of them right on the stroke of half-time when he shot wide when well placed. There was a solid debut for Chris Lane, introduced at the expense of Jamie Heard who was the victim of a horrendous first-half tackle that went unpunished. Lane in fact had the ball in the net within minutes of coming on only to see his effort ruled out for offside.

19 March 2004
SAME AGAIN CITY
Manager Mark Wright will have a fully fit squad for tomorrow’s game at fifth placed Barnet. Goalkeeper Andy Woods, signed last week from Northwich Victoria, is expected to travel with the squad that looks to extend its winning sequence to seven games. Opponents Barnet will be looked after by caretaker manager Adrian Whitbread following the surprise resignation of Martin Allen to take up the vacant manager’s role at Brentford. The sides last met in mid-November when a fantastic strike from Alex Smith on half-time gave City a narrow victory. Tomorrow’s game will be refereed by one of the better officials in the Conference, Jarnail Singh from Hounslow.

18 March 2004
BARNET ADMISSION / MARTIN ALLEN
Barnet

Chester fans wanting to claim concessionary admission at Underhill on Saturday should pick up vouchers from the Deva Stadium ticket office, or from Barrie Hipkiss. Meanwhile The Bees will be without a manager on Saturday after Martin Allen departed today to take up the post at second division Brentford (the other Bees!) vacated by Wally Downes. Coach Adrian Whitbread and physio Damien Doyle have been put in temporary charge of team affairs. Meanwhile City are in talks with the authorities with regard to opening the south terrace at Deva Stadium to home supporters for the remaining home games this season in an effort to get more fans in the ground, and create a unique atmosphere. This has happened before back in October 1995 when City fans were given the rare opportunity to stand on the ‘away’ end for the second leg of the Coca Cola second round cup-tie with Tottenham Hotspur which attracted a crowd of 5,372. Should the scheme be approved visiting fans are expected to be allocated seats in the West stand.

WAYNE BROWN’S TESTIMONIAL
The date for Wayne Brown’s testimonial has been set for Sunday 9 May, kick-off 14:00hrs. The match will feature the current City squad against a team of past players that may include Cyrille Regis and Peter Jackson.

17 March 2004
EASTER MATCH ON SKY
City’s home Nationwide Conference game against Exeter City on Saturday 10 April will be screened live on SKY TV, the kick-off is now 17:35hrs. This is the third time the Blues will feature this season having already had the draw at Burton Albion and the recent victory at Woking featured.

16 March 2004
BRODIE LEAVES CITY

Steve Brodie has left Chester City. The forward, currently on loan at Leigh RMI has had the rest of his Deva contract paid-off and is now a free agent to find another club for next season.

Unable to break into the first team this season with just 0+2 appearances, Brodie has had loan spells at Forest Green Rovers (7+0 apps 3 goals) and Droylsden earlier in the season before moving to Hilton Park recently where he has scored 4 goals in 5+0 games. He is expected to sign for Droylsden on a permanent basis this week.

Meanwhile defender Carl Ruffer has joined a host of ex-Blues at Droylsden on a one month loan. The Chester-born defender has been sidelined for the last six games with a knee injury.

HEREFORD TICKETS SOLD OUT
All 1,800 tickets for the end of season match at Hereford United have now been sold.

15 March 2004
100% RECORD FOR JUNIOR CHAMPIONS
Congratulations to the Chester City Juniors u-13 side that clinched the league championship on Sunday with their 17th win in 17 games with a 5-0 win away at BSS.

Junior League tables at 14 March 2004

13 March 2004
WIN KEEPS CITY FIVE POINTS CLEAR
Second half goals from Alex Smith and Daryl Clare gave City their sixth win on the run as they overcame Morecambe 2-1 at Deva Stadium. Stewart Drummond, a target earlier in the season for Mark Wright, scored the Shrimps’ goal in the last minute. The win maintain’s City’s five point lead at the top of the Nationwide Conference with fellow promotion candidates Hereford United also winning 1-0 at home to Accrington Stanley.

Meanwhile City have signed Northwich Victoria goalkeeper Andy Woods until the end of the season. Woods has played 24 games for the Vics this season having joined them in the summer from Scarborough where he clocked up 150 appearances. Before playing for the Seadogs he was at Oldham Athletic, Halifax Town, Doncaster Rovers (loan), Barrow (loan), and Doncaster Rovers. “Andy has been outstanding for us since I have been here," said Northwich manager Shaun Teale. But we could not stand in his way if he has the chance of playing in the Third Division next season.” said Vics manager Shaun Teale.

12 March 2004
BLUES LOOKING FOR THE DOUBLE

City will be looking for the double tomorrow as sixth placed Morecambe visit Deva Stadium (15:00hrs). The Shrimps have mostly got where they are on the back of an impressive home record at Christie Park, away from home things have been different with a record that reads P17, W4, D2, L11, F17, A37. The teams last met in mid-November when a Daryl Clare goal gave City a 1-0 away victory and took the Blues to the top of the table.

Morecambe currently lie in sixth place, six points from Aldershot Town in the last play-off position, and they may have two former City players on show tomorrow, striker Ryan Sugden and midfielder Chris Blackburn who signed for the Lancashire side from Northwich Victoria recently. City manager Mark Wright hopes to have on-loan midfielder Danny Williams fit after he missed the second half of last week-end’s 3-1 victory over Burton Albion with a back injury, while Carl Ruffer has returned to training after a knee injury has ruled him out of the last five games.

Tickets for the Hereford match are on general sale today (10:00-19:00hrs) on a one ticket per person basis, and are also available after tomorrow’s game when an unlimited number may be bought. Sales are CASH ONLY (no cheques will be accepted).

• Chester v Morecambe past meetings

11 March 2004
HEREFORD TICKETS ON SALE TODAY
Tickets for City’s end of season game at Hereford United on 24 April go on sale today to Season Ticket Holders and Executive Club members only, between 10:00-19:00hrs. Voucher D is required to purchase a ticket and the limitation is one ticket per voucher.

Tickets will go on general sale to the public tomorrow (Friday), again between 10:00-19:00hrs limited again to one ticket per person, and straight after the match with Morecambe on Saturday, with no limitation on numbers bought. City have been given 400 seat and 1,400 terrace tickets and the prices are Seats: Adult £12.00, concession £10.00, Terrace: Adult £10.00, concession £7.00. Please try and have the correct cash at the ticket office as sales are CASH ONLY (no cheques will be accepted).

10 March 2004
RESERVES IN ACTION
City’s reserve team drew 1-1 tonight against second placed Vauxhall Motors Reserves at Flint Town United in a Lancashire League Division 1 match. Justin Jackson, currently on trial at the Deva, played for an hour of the game.

LANCASHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
As at 6 March 2004	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
Accrington Stanley Reserves	22	16	2	4	64	19	45	50
Vauxhall Motors Reserves	25	16	1	8	54	36	18	49
Morecambe Reserves	24	14	5	5	64	33	31	47
Northwich Victoria Reserves	27	15	1	11	55	51	4	46
Marine Reserves	24	13	5	6	47	40	7	44
Bamber Bridge Reserves	25	13	2	10	56	49	7	41
Chester City Reserves	20	12	4	4	70	23	47	40
Burscough Reserves	24	12	4	9	50	38	12	39
Southport Reserves	24	11	3	10	57	52	5	36
Barrow Reserves	26	10	5	11	51	53	-2	35
Ossett Town Reserves	24	10	2	12	42	56	-14	32
Leigh RMI Reserves	26	9	4	13	51	62	-11	41
Lancaster City Reserves	24	8	3	13	56	50	6	27
Guiseley Reserves	23	8	3	12	47	82	-35	27
Chorley Reserves	24	5	1	18	36	68	-32	16
Bradford Park Avenue Reserves	24	2	7	15	29	74	-45	13
Workington Reserves	22	3	3	16	38	81	-43	12

9 March 2004
JACKSON JOINS TRAINING
Former Rushden & Diamonds and Doncaster Rovers striker will be joining Chester for training this week. Manager Mark Wright told the local press: “We’ve invited Justin in for training, and we intend to have a good look at him. The player has a great pedigree and hopefully he will show us in training sessions. I remember watching him playing for Rushden and Diamonds and being very impressed with what I saw. He’s a forward who can play off players’ shoulders and is very good. If he fits in he would be an asset to us”

Jackson was released by Accrington Stanley earlier this season after making three appearances as a substitute for the Lancashire club. Prior to Accrington Jackson has previously played for: Woking, Notts County, Morecambe (loan), Rotherham United, Halifax Town, Morecambe, Rushden & Diamonds and Doncaster Rovers.

8 March 2004
‘JINX!’ – WHAT JINX

Those fearing the Manager of the Month curse would strike Deva Stadium after Mark Wright’s midweek award needn’t have worried. Two goals from Daryl Clare and Scott Guyett effort (his first league goal for 15 months), maintained City’s five point lead the top top of the Nationwide Conference with their nearest rivals Hereford United also picking up three home points against Northwich Victoria. Mind you, once again City didn’t exactly get off to a dream start. A mix-up in the Blues defence between Phil Bolland and Iain Turner allowed the Brewers to take the lead on seven minutes, but once Clare had equalised on 33 minutes the Blues never looked back. Scott Guyett gave City the lead soon after Clare’s strike and the result was wrapped twenty minutes from time by Clare who took advantage of a sharp Smith through pass. On-loan Danny Williams had to be replaced at half-time and it remains to be seen how serious his back injury is.

Of the chasing pack behind the Bulls, Barnet gained a point with a 1-1 draw at Exeter City while Aldershot Town were held 2-2 at home by Gravesend & Northfleet. Next weeks opponents Morecambe beat Scarborough at home 2-1 to remain in sixth place.

Clare’s two goals keep him well in touch of the Golden Boot award as the Conference top scorer, an award he won at Boston United two season’s ago. The current placings are:

23	Guiliand Grazioli	Barnet
22	Daryl Clare	Chester City
21	David McNiven	Leigh RMI
20	Stephen Guinan	Hereford United
19	Darryn Stamp	Chester City
19	Jody Banim	Shrewsbury Town (18 for Radcliffe Borough)
17	Paul Mullin	Accrington Stanley
16	Sean Divine	Exeter City
16	Lutel James	Accrington Stanley

5 March 2004
SAME AGAIN CITY

For the second time in a week City manager Mark Wright will be pitting his wits against a former team-mate tomorrow. Last week it was Glenn Cockerill at Woking and tomorrow Nigel Clough brings his mid-table Burton Albion to Deva Stadium. The Brewers have won six times on their travels this season, and salvaged a point against the Blues at Eaton Park back in October with a last minute Webster penalty in front of the SKY TV cameras after Darryn Stamp had given City the lead.

City have no fresh injury worries ahead of the game which may be the last for goalkeeper Iain Turner. Turner’s loan spell ends next week and after the news of Wayne Brown’s long-term lay-off, it’s reported that Everton have agreed that his loan can be extended until the end of the season, which, if you read his interview on the Everton website, he’ll be more that happy about.

There’s an added incentive for the goalscorers tomorrow with the news that a Chester-based car dealership, Chester Saab, is offering a top of the range sports car to use for a weekend to any player who scores a hat-trick in City’s remaining games. General manager of the branch Ray Derry has been a sponsor and supporter of the club for many years and said: “The team have been playing brilliantly recently, and we can’t be far away from promotion, so I wanted to try and do my bit to maintain the momentum.”

Other Conference games over the weekend are: Accrington Stanley v Halifax Town, Aldershot Town v Gravesend & Northfleet, Exeter City v Barnet, Forest Green Rovers v Farnborough Town, Hereford United v Northwich Victoria, Margate v Dagenham & Redbridge, Morecambe v Scarborough, Stevenage Borough v Woking, Tamworth v Telford United. Shrewsbury Town host Leigh RMI on Monday night in a game broadcast live on SKY TV.

FOUR NATIONS DATES

The dates and venues have been announced for this years Four Nations Tournament. Scott Guyett captained England to the trophy in Wales last year and they will begin their defence of the title against Ireland in Banff on 16 May. Admission to the games is £5.00 for adults and £2.00 for children/concessions. Stand entry an extra £2.00

The match dates are:
18 May: Scotland v Wales (Keith) 19:45hrs, Ireland v England (Banff) 19:45hrs.
20 May: Scotland v Ireland (Fraserborough) 19:45hrs, England v Wales (Keith) 19:45hrs.
23 May: Wales v Ireland (Inverurie) 13:30hrs, Scotland v England (Banff) 15:30hrs.

4 March 2004
BROWN BLOW FOR CITY
Wayne Brown won’t play for City again this season. The shot-stopper, who has been with City for seven years, injured himself in training just before Christmas breaking a bone in his foot (known as a ‘Jones Fracture’) and has struggled to regain fitness since. Iain Turner, currently on a one month loan from Everton, is due to play his last match for City at the weekend so the club must decide fast whether to try and extend his loan further or move for another loan player for the remaining ten games of the season.

“Wayne’s latest setback is a blow to us, but we will just have to professionally evaluate the situation and decide on a solution,” said chairman Steve Vaughan, while manager Mark Wright said: “We don’t know what is going to happen with Iain yet but it appears David Moyes will be calling him back. If that’s the case then I’ll have to bring someone in very soon.”

RESERVES KNOCKED OUT
City’s reserves we knocked out of the Lancashire League Cup in the first round last night losing 5-4 on penalties after their game at Leigh RMI had ended 2-2 with goals from Darren Byers and Tom Leonard.

3 March 2004
NEW ALDERSHOT DATE
City have rearranged their home fixture with Aldershot Town and this will now take place at 19:45hrs on Tuesday 6 April.

1 March 2004
AWARD FOR WRIGHT

Congratulations to City manager Mark Wright who has been named Nationwide Conference Manager of the Month for February. City won all three games played during the month beating Farnborough Town (3-2) and Dagenham & Redbridge (2-1) at Deva Stadium, and winning 2-1 at Woking on Saturday to remain eight points clear at the top of the table.

“It’s nice to win these awards, but it is a team award really. Managers get the accolades at successful times like this, but this is a shared award between the players and my backroom staff at the club. The only award we all want is promotion at the end of the season.” said Wright.

Wright is pictured with the award he last won back in November 2002.

TWISS STRIKE KEEPS CITY CLEAR
A stunning strike by substitute Michael Twiss four minutes from time gave City their first win at Kingfield in front of the SKY TV cameras on Saturday. The Blues gave a battling second half performance to claim the points after going a goal down inside the first minute of the game through Steve Ferguson. The Blues had plenty of possession in the first period but rarely test Ashley Bayes in the home goal. After the break City upped their tempo and got a deserved equaliser on 78 minutes as Danny Collins headed home unmarked from a Kevin McIntyre corner before the late dramatic goal by Twiss.

REARRANGED DATES
City’s home game against Aldershot Town on 27 March will now have to be re-arranged following the Shots’ progress to the semi-final of the FA Trophy, which takes place on that day. Meanwhile the FA website states that the FA Trophy replay between Shrewsbury Town and Telford United will take place on Tuesday 16 March, the date City were due to visit the Bucks Head. Shrewsbury have a live SKY game against Leigh RMI on 8 March which would have prevented the game taking place then.

SUSPENSIONS
As from today players receiving a fifth yellow card are “Warned as to his Future Conduct” and not given a one-match ban by The Football Association under Football Conference Rule 7 (a) (ii). With Darryn Stamp, Daryl Clare, Danny Williams, Andy Harris and Ben Davies all on currently four cautions the cut-off date has proved rather timely!

• Conference Rules

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