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NEWS FROM DEVA STADIUM 2005
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MARCH 2005

30 March 2005
RESERVES LOSE

The reserve lost 1-0 in a Pontins Holiday League fixture at Moss Rose against Macclesfield Town this afternoon. The Blues starting X1 was: Brookfield, Regan, Hessey, Ventre, Walsh, M.Brown, Vaughan, O’Neil, Booth, Rapley, Sestanovich.

City have just three fixtures left now against Carlisle United (A), Stockport County (H) and Burnley (A). Meanwhile current Pontins leaders Manchester United will be pulling their young team out of the league in the summer after just one season as they look for a more competitive alternative.

Reserve team fixtures | Reserve league table

29 March 2005
THEN DOWN ONE!

Notts County’s surprise 3-1 at Yeovil Town tonight lifts them above City who now drop to 20th in League Two.

Latest League Two table

CITY MOVE UP TWO
Two goals from Ryan Lowe on his home debut brought three move vital points to lift them to 19th in League Two after City had come from behind to beat Bury 2-1. The Blues had been jeered off at half-time after failing to register a single shot in the opening 45 minutes with The Shakers being gifted their lead through Colin Kazim-Richards following a miscued Chris MacKenzie clearance.

After the break Lowe scored with a swerving shot, City’s first of the match, from the edge of the box to level matters on 59 minutes, then found himself six yards out with just the keeper to beat, which he coolly did, after an Andy Nicholas throw had evaded the Bury defence at the near post.

At this stage of the season it’s results that count of course and the win lifts the Blues above Shrewsbury Town and Notts County. They will slip a place however should Notts County win at Yeovil Town tonight.

27 March 2005
GAP CLOSED

Kidderminster Harriers’ 2-0 win at Darlington yesterday closes the gap on Chester now to just six points.

Next three games:
Kidderminster Harriers: Mansfield Town (H), Wycombe Wanderers (A), Bury (H)

Rushden & Diamonds: Grimsby Town (A), Yeovil Town (H), Bristol Rovers (A)
Chester City: Bury (H), Darlington (A), Boston United (H)
Shrewsbury Town: Northampton Town (A), Oxford United (H), Cheltenham Town (A)

YOUTH TEAM LOSE
The youth team lost 2-1 at home to Hull City on Saturday morning in their Merit League Northern Section Division Two match. Shaun Whalley scored the goal for City.
26 March 2005
BATTLING CITY MAKE THEIR POINT

City moved a point nearer their safety target following last night’s 0-0 draw at Mansfield Town in front of 314 travelling City fans. The Blues had chances to win as the game entered the latter stages, with Robbie Foy and debut player Ryan Lowe having good opportunities to take all three points. With Shrewsbury picking up a point at home to bottom placed Cambridge United, City remain in 21st place in League Two on 42 points.

Manager Ian Rush said: “The most important thing is we kept a clean sheet, and we did just that. Once we got to grips with their 4-5-1 system, which we sorted out at half-time, I thought we looked organised.

Although Mansfield has a lot of possession, they couldn’t do anything with it. In the second-half, if there was going to be a winner, it was us and we had two good chances. The team worked their socks off and you can’t ask for anything else.

Ryan Lowe had an excellent debut for us. He gave us something different and was very unlucky not to score.”

Other League Two results yesterday were:

Bury 3 Grimsby Town 1
Leyton Orient 2 Cheltenham Town 3
Rushden & Diamonds 1 Lincoln City 4
Scunthorpe United 1 Oxford United 1
Shrewsbury Town 0 Cambridge United 0
Southend United 3 Rochdale 0
Swansea City 2 Macclesfield Town 0
Wycombe Wanderers 0 Northampton Town 1

The Blues are next in action on Monday afternoon when they entertain Bury.

Shakers manager Graham Barrow and their physio Joe Hinnigan (left) need no introduction, both were good servants to Chester City and they will be guaranteed a great welcome from Blues fans at Deva Stadium.

Bury moved up to 17th following their victory yesterday.

Kick-off is 15:00hrs.


25 March 2005
CITY IN ACTION TONIGHT

The Blues travel to play Mansfield Town at Field Mill tonight, kick-off 19:45hrs. The Stags currently lie 16th in League Two, eight points above City.

Since beating Swansea City in early February, Mansfield have since failed to win at home against Cheltenham Town, Wycombe Wanderers, Shrewsbury Town and Oxford United. While City have won just once on their travels in that period, a rather fortunate success at Kidderminster Harriers.

The clubs last met in early August when three second half goals gave Mansfield a 3-0 victory at Deva Stadium. The last visit by City to Field Mill on Boxing Day 1999 resulted in a 2-1 defeat with Matt Doughty on the mark for the Blues that afternoon.

Manager Ian Rush will have skipper Paul Carden available following suspension and new signing Ryan Lowe is expected to go straight into tonight’s squad.

The last time we met

SAVE THE DRUMMERS
City fan Tony Arnold has set up a website in support of the Chester City Drummers. They require new drums and all supporters or otherwise who wish to contribute may do so and their names will be recorded on the site. For more information, and to pledge some money, please go to www.chesterdrummers.co.uk. Over £300 has already been pledged in two weeks.
24 March 2005
RESERVES COMPLETE HAT-TRICK

Four goals from Robbie Booth, and another from Danny Ventre, gave City’s reserves a resounding 5-1 victory over neighbours Wrexham in a Pontins Holiday League match at Newi Cefn Druids ground last night. The reserves have beaten their opponents on all three occasions they have met this season.

Reserve team fixtures | Reserve league table

22 March 2005
LOWE SIGNS FOR CITY

With just two days to go before the transfer deadline, City have signed 26-year-old Shrewsbury Town winger Ryan Lowe on a two year deal. They have previously had two offers turned down by the Gay Meadow club.

Chairman Steve Vaughan told the SKY Sports website: “He plays in a position we have been looking for, that of winger-cum-striker. He has a proven goalscoring pedigree and we are delighted to have got him.” Liverpool-born Lowe began his career at Burscough before moving to Shrewsbury Town in the summer of 2000. He has since made 118+76 appearances scoring 37 goals for the Shropshire side.

Meanwhile reserve player Ian Latham has joined Witton Albion.

21 March 2005
SECOND CHANCE TO JOIN BRICK SCHEME

Supporters have a second chance to help raise money for the club through the Buy A Brick scheme. This means that individuals or companies can buy a brick for £25.00 that is then displayed with your name and included on our wall of fame at the stadium. Details are available from the club.

The first set of bricks.

20 March 2005
VITAL WIN FOR CITY

Two second half goals from Michael Branch (left) helped City to a much needed three points against Notts County at Deva Stadium. The Blues had fallen behind midway through the first half with Glynn Hurst netting for the Magpies, but midfielder Stewart Drummond scored on 28 minutes to keep City level at the break. Branch took full advantage of fine work by Ben Davies to strike with goals on 58 and 77 minutes before substitute Ruben Zadkovich pulled a goal back late on.

After the match manager Ian Rush said: “I felt the lads were absolutely superb. We’re still not out of trouble and we have got to keep battling. It’s the first time since I came here that I felt the supporters really got behind the team and that makes a massive difference to them. I think that spurred the players on.”

City remain in 21st position but have gained two more points over Kidderminster Harriers and Rushden & Diamonds who fought out a 0-0 draw, and caught Shrewsbury Town who lost. Bottom side Cambridge United beat Wycombe Wanderers while Bury produced the shock of the day winning 1-0 at Yeovil to complete the double over the Somerset side.

Other League Two results on Saturday were:

Bristol Rovers 4 Mansfield Town 4
Cambridge United 2 Wycombe Wanderers 1
Cheltenham Town 0 Southend United 3
Grimsby Town 0 Darlington 1
Kidderminster Harriers 0 Rushden & Diamonds 0
Lincoln City 2 Shrewsbury Town 0
Macclesfield Town 3 Leyton Orient 1
Northampton Town 2 Swansea City 2
Oxford United 2 Boston United 0
Rochdale 0 Scunthorpe United 0
Yeovil Town 0 Bury 1

Latest League Two table
YOUTH TEAM SHOW THE WAY
Earlier on Saturday, goals from Matty Cook and Michael Walsh gave City’s youth team a 2-0 win at Bury in their Merit League Northern Section Division Two match.
18 March 2005
BACK THE TEAM

Once again City will be without influential skipper Paul Carden (left) for tomorrow’s six-pointer home game against fellow strugglers Notts County. Carden sits out the final game of a two match suspension. New signing wing-back Carl Regan, and loan defender Andy Nicholas, are both expected to be in the squad for tomorrow’s game.

Like City, County have struggled this season and find themselves 18th, three places and five points above the Blues and come to the Deva on the back of a heavy 4-0 defeat at Boston United on Tuesday and a 3-1 home defeat by Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday.

Manager Ian Rush has called for everyone to be united tomorrow as City look for three vital points. “We must go into the game positively and that means the management, players and the supporters. There is too much negativity at the moment. This is like a cup final for us. We’ve got three huge home games coming up against Notts County, Bury, and Boston United. We need a minimum of six points from those three games in order to claw our way to safety. It’s so important for our fans to get behind the players tomorrow in the first of those fixtures.”

Richard Lynes, the Supporters Trust representative on the board, has also asked for fans to back the team. He told the Chronicle “I feel very strongly that now is the time for the Trust to take the lead and call on all Chester City fans far and wide to come to the Saunders Honda Stadium on Saturday and for the remainder of the season and make your support count, regardless of whether you approve or disapprove of the management team and our style of play at times.

We have nine games to go and, more than anything, the players need to know that like at so many other grounds in the country, they can count on us to make the difference and truly get behind them. The sides below us are picking up points and, disturbingly, we are not.”

The sides last met of course on the opening day of the season as City kicked-off their return to League football. The Blues then fought out a 1-1 draw in stifling conditions at Meadow Lane with Kevin Rapley scoring from close range after Daryl Clare had seen a penalty saved three minutes from time.

Striker Cortez Belle has joined Newport County on loan for a month.

The last time we met
17 March 2005
FOY DEAL EXTENDED

City have been boosted with the news that Liverpool have agreed to allow striker Robbie Foy to extend his laon spell at Deva Stadium for another month. Foy’s initial loan ended after Saturday’s home game with Notts County but the extension will take him to virtually the end of the season.

The Scottish under-21 forward has played five games for City and has linked up well with Michael Branch on the last two outings. Meanwhile midfielder Andy Harris has been allowed to extend his loan by another month with Nationwide Conference side Forest Green Rovers.

DISCOUNTED DARLINGTON TICKETS
Darlington are one of a few clubs who are offering a pre-purchased ticket at a discounted price initiative this season (Oxford United run a similar offer). The discount only applies to full adult prices.

For the forthcoming League Two game against Chester at The Williamson Motors Stadium on Saturday 2 April, tickets are now available from Deva Stadium at: £13.00 adult (£15.00 at the gate), the concession and disabled price of £7.00 remains the same as matchday prices.

15 March 2005
CITY LOOK TO BOLSTER SQUAD

Two players will be joining City for training for a couple of days as the Blues look to improve their squad for the end of season run-in. The management team of Ian Rush and Mark Aizlewood wil be running their eye over Swindon Town defender Andy Nicholas and former Hull City defender Carl Regan as they train with the rest of the squad. Rush has known Regan since he was a striker coach at Barnsley.

Nicholas, 21, began his career as a trainee at Liverpool in 2002 and joined the the Wiltshire side a year later. He has made 40+11 appearances for the Robins. Regan began his career at Everton before moving to Barnsley and Hull City, he made four appearances for Chester on loan and featured in the high scoring games against Tamworth and Leigh RMI in December 2003. He joined Droylsden in March 2004.

Chairman Steve Vaughan told the Daily Post: “We need to liven things up in our playing squad and these two players bring with them experience that will hopefully pep up the existing squad. They both bring Football League experience with them, which will be of great benefit to us. The transfer deadline falls in 10 days’ time, so it could well be that this pair aren’t the last of our signings this year.”
13 March 2005
ALARM BELLS RINGING FOR CITY

The management duo of Ian Rush and Mark Aizlewood will be feeling the pressure as another heavy away defeat for City on Saturday leaves the Blues just six points from a relegation place as once again other sides at the foot of League Two, Cambridge United, Rushden & Diamonds and Kidderminster Harriers all picked up points to close the gap on Chester.

The free match offer from Wycombe attracted a crowd over 8,000 to Causeway Stadium and the 430 City faithful among it were in good voice as Michael Branch gave the yellows the lead on 26 minutes. City missed a couple of chances to double their advantage before Nathan Tyson equalised for the home side just before the break.

The woodwork came to City’s rescue on no less than three occasions before three goals in eight second-half minutes swept City away. The vast majority of the Blues fans were heading home as Branch added his second from the penalty spot at the death.

Rush said after the game: “For ten minutes of the game we were like schoolboys. When you make mistakes like that you will never win games.”

11 March 2005
DUO RETURN
Both Michael Brown and Ashley Sestanovich have recovered from illness and are expected to be in Ian Rush’s squad as City take on Wycombe Wanderers at Causeway Stadium tomorrow, however midfielder Paul Carden misses the match through suspension.

John Gormans side currently lie two points from a play-off place in ninth position though their home for of late has seen them win only one of their last seven home. However, in an effort to encourage new support, and pack the ground, admission to tomorrows match is by free ticket and the home side should have the backing of a 9,000+ crowd. Turnstiles open at 13:00hrs.

City will be hoping to build on their performance against Southend last Saturday. Robbie Foy was partnered for the first time with Michael Branch and the pair were a constant threat throughout the match as City twice took the lead only to be pegged back before settling for a draw against the LDV finalists.

Michael Walsh, who scored Citys opening goal on Saturday has, along with promising midfielder Robbie Booth, accepted full-time professional contracts at the club.

Chairman Steve Vaughan has confirmed that Chester have shown an interest in the availability of experienced ex-Tranmere midfielder Andy Parkinson. Parkinson is currently on the books at Grimsby Town though his contract is believed to be up at the end of the season. The Blues are also discussing the possibility of extending the Robbie Foy loan from Liverpool until the end of the season.
WIN FOR EXILES
The Exiles darts team picked up their second victory of the season last night with a 6-5 home victory over Southampton. Read Steve Catherall’s match report here
10 March 2005
FULL HOUSE EXPECTED

Wycombe Wanderers have announced that their entire home allocation of free tickets have been taken up for Saturday’s match against City. A near capacity 10,000 crowd is anticipated. Tickets are still available from the Deva club office 10:00-16:00hrs today and 10:00-14:00hrs tomorrow.
9 March 2005
RESERVES DRAW

The reserves drew 0-0 at home to Shrewsbury Town this afternoon in their Pontins Holiday League match at Deva Stadium and remain in eighth place.

Reserve team fixtures | Reserve league table

8 March 2005
CARDEN SUSPENDED

Captain Paul Carden has received a two match ban after picking up his tenth caution of the season against Southend United. Carden will miss Saturday’s match at Wycombe Wanderers and the home game with Notts County seven days later.
WYCOMBE TICKETS
Free tickets for Saturday’s match at Wycombe Wanderers are available from the club office this week from 10:00-16:00hrs Tuesday-Thursday and 10:00-14:00hrs on Friday.
7 March 2005
BLUES RUE MISSED CHANCES

City put their off-field problems behind them on Saturday with a spirited 2-2 draw at home to promotion chasing Southend United, and with a bit more composure in front of goal, would have claimed all three points. Twice City took the lead only for the Essex side to equalise to deny the Blues a much needed victory. Michael Walsh scored his first senior goal for the club after nine minutes only for Mark Gower to curl in a free-kick to level matters at the break.

City started the second period on fire and Ben Davies slid home a Michael Branch cross soon after to restore the lead. The Blues them missed several chances to extend their lead and were pegged back five minutes form time with a deflected goal from Freddy Eastwood.


Manager Ian Rush told Football First after the game: “After the week that we’ve had, the players have put in most probably our best home performance of the season and you can’t ask for any more that that
. In football things happen and you have disagreements with the chairman, I think most chairmen are the same, but I’ve had a meeting with him and we’ve agreed to disagree on things and take the club on from there. I will carry on as Chester manager and I have a two-and-a-half year contract that I intend to fulfil. I think our chairman sometimes says things in the heat of the moment. It’s a learning curve and I’m grateful to the chairman for giving me my first chance to go into management. I’m still learning and we all make mistakes, the players do out there, but we all just have to get on with it together.”

6 March 2005
DEFEAT FOR YOUTH TEAM

The youth team lost 4-1 at Rotherham United on Saturday in the Merit League Northern Section Division Two.

Youth team fixtures | Youth league table

4 March 2005
IAN RUSH STATEMENT

In view of developments in the last day or so regarding his position at Deva Stadium, City manager Ian Rush has issued the following statement today through his lawyer.

“I have read with interest the comments in today’s media.

I am not sure if the quotes attributed to executives at this Club are accurate or whether they have been misreported. All I can say is that what I have read has been highly inaccurate and it appears somebody is trying to make me out to be holding the club to ransom in some way. Until I am told otherwise, I am the manager of Chester City Football Club and I am preparing the team for the game on Saturday against Southend. I will continue with my duties to the best of my ability.

I ask the supporters not to believe what they have read in the papers and to come to the game on Saturday and get 100 per cent behind the team.”
BELL LEAVES
The club have terminated the contract of technical co-ordinator David Bell.
3 March 2005
RUSH AND AIZLEWOOD REFUSE TERMS

Both manager Ian Rush and coach Mark Aizlewood are reported to have rejected a severance settlement to leave the club from chairman Steve Vaughan. The Blues, currently 21st in League Two, have had a disappointing series of results over recent weeks failing to score in eight of the last ten games.

Vaughan said: “I offered Ian Rush and Mark Aizlewood a financial settlement so they could resign from the club with dignity and we would agree a joint press statement regarding their departure. Mark Aizlewood verbally agreed to this course of action. However, after they discussed the offer with their solicitor, who also acts as their agent, they decided to withdraw the verbal agreement, which was disappointing. If the affair isn’t included by the weekend, then as employees of the club they (Rush and Aizlewood) may well still be in charge of team affairs for the home game against Southend United.”

Both Rush and Aizlewood were at the club today carrying on the team preparation for Saturday’s visit from promotion chasing Southend United. Darren Edmondson, Michael Brown, Ashley Sestanovich, and Chris MacKenzie are struggling with illness and are doubtful for the match while Phil Bolland and Michael Branch both have a chance of returning from injury to the squad.
2 March 2005
RUSH POSITION IN DOUBT

Speculation is rife as regarding Ian Rush’s position as manager at Chester City. Both he and his assistant Mark Aizlewwood are reported to have held discussions with chairman Steve Vaughan last night and again this morning following the recent slump in form that has seen City drop to 21st position, ten points clear of a relegation place.
RESERVES LOSE
The reserves lost 2-0 in their Pontins Holiday League match at Blackpool this afternoon.
1 March 2005
WYCOMBE TICKETS AVAILABLE THIS WEEK

Tickets for the forthcoming away League Two match at Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday 12 March are available from the club office later this week. According to the official website the free tickets are available from 10:00-16:00hrs on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as well as after Saturday’s home game with Southend United. There is no mention yet as to whether there is a restriction on numbers per person.

The tickets are FREE of charge as Wycombe Wanderers are encouraging as many of their fans of the future get down to the Causeway Stadium and hopefully pack the place out and enjoy the experience enough to want to go back for more. The free match initiative has been carried out before to great success by Brentford.

ELOKOBI RETURNS TO U’S
George Elokobi has returned to Colchester United following his one month loan at Deva Stadium. The Blues had wanted to extend the deal another month but the young defender is needed by the Essex club due to a Layer Road injury crisis. Elokobi, sent-off at Shrewsbury on Saturday, made 4+1 appearances for City without scoring.
RAPLEY’S BACK
Striker Kevin Rapley has returned form his month long loan at Forest Green Rovers. The striker failed to find the net in his 5+0 appearances for the Nationwide Conference side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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