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NEWS FROM DEVA STADIUM 2002
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
MAY 2002
29 May 2002
STILL TALKING

With manager Mark Wright away on holiday very little news is coming out from the Deva at the moment. Wright's assistant Ted McMinn is continuing talks with both Scott Guyett and Gary Brabin. Guyett has another year left on his contract at Oxford United and is believed to be interesting other clubs, United would want a fee of around £10,000 for the defender who played under Wright at Southport as well. City chairman Stephen Vaughan said “Guyett is on Mark Wright's shopping list and, if a realistic fee can be agreed, then I will have no hesitation in making an official approach for the player.”

UPDATED WEB PAGES
The history pages on this site now contain three updated pages featuring complete lists of the clubs honours, managers and internationals.

LIVERPOOL FRIENDLY?
Chester are hoping to hear today whether Liverpool will visit the Deva Stadium for a friendly match on Saturday 27 July, and also whether they will be using the Deva for their reserve matches next season.

RESERVES STEP UP
[Avon Insurance League]The club have successfully applied to field a reserve side in the Avon Insurance League Division One West next season. This will prove much stronger competition that the Lancashire League Division One they finished runners-up in this month. Nine other teams will complete in the league next season: Blackpool, Doncaster Rovers, Macclesfield Town, Rochdale, Shrewsbury Town, Stockport County, Stoke City, Wrexham and Wigan Athletic.

Club secretary Michael Beech said: “The main reason for the move from the Lancashire League is that it should provide more competitive games. But an added bonus is that it will rekindle the local derby with Wrexham. I think the last time the two clubs faced each other at any level was four years ago. The fixture has always been a favourite with the fans and it would be great to see some coming along to watch next term.”


27 May 2002
CONFERENCE AGM

The Conference AGM took place at the weekend in Stratford-on-Avon with several rule changes emerging from the gathering:

If, as expected, two-up, two-down goes through at the Football League annual meeting on June 8, the Conference will announce plans for play-off games for the second promotion place between the clubs finishing second, third, fourth and fifth. A bye to the final will be given to the highest placed club if any of the other qualifying clubs do not have a League Approved Ground. The Conference has agreed a new two-year deal with Sky for continued live coverage and is set to clinch a new deal for a weekly news show and a highlights programme.

The Conference has clinched a new two-year sponsorship deal with kit manufacturers Mitre. The company will be supplying 2,200 footballs - each costing £75. The newly designed footballs will be of the highest standard available and have been described as “the fastest balls on the planet” measured at well over 110mph. All Conference players will also get a pair of Mitres new high quality Kangaroo Leather Boots. Keepers will also benefit from Mitre-supplied gloves as used by David James and Neil Sullivan.

Squad numbering will be introduced in The Conference from the start of next season. This will bring the competition in line with The Premiership and Football League.

25 May 2002
MORE SIGNINGS?
Chester have completed the signing of 27-year-old defender Wayne Hatswell from Oxford United. Hatswell joined Oxford from Forest Green Rovers for £35,000 in December 2000 and made 51+1 appearances for United last season. The previous season he made 52+4 appearances for Forest Green scoring seven goals. Meanwhile the club appear close to signing fellow Oxford defender Scott Guyett. Ascot born (though of Australian nationality), 26-year-old Guyett started his career at Southport where he made 84 appearances scoring 11 goals before joining Oxford in May 2001. Last season he made 23+2 appearances for the third division club.

List of City's pre-season activities.

23 May 2002
CHESTER CITY SUPPORTERS TRUST AGM

The Chester City Supporters Trust first Annual General Meeting is being held on Thursday 23rd May (tonight) at Chester City Football Club, the Deva Stadium, Chester from 19.45hrs onwards. All current members are welcome. We cannot accept new members on the night but lapsed members are welcome to renew their memberships through payment on the door. There is a separate meeting for Trust Loan Note Holders starting at 19.15hrs to discuss the trusts share purchase in Chester City FC.

22 May 2002
CLUB HOLD TALKS
It's been reported that Manager Mark Wright and chairman Steve Vaughan have been holding talks with an unnamed former Liverpool player who played in the Nationwide League last season. The club are also understood to be having negotiations with the Oxford United defenders, Scott Guyett and Wayne Hatswell, as well as Scarborough striker Ryan Sugden as they continue to build a promotion-chasing squad for next season. �The young boy at Scarborough, Ryan Sugden, impressed me when we played them last season. Sugden is 6ft 1in tall, and he�s quick, his touch is good, and he did well alongside Darren Stamp last season. I still feel I need an extra forward, someone with a lot of pace.” commented Wright.

Meanwhile player-of-the-season Gary Brabin is still negotiating over his contract for next season. “We are working hard to agree a deal with Gary. If ultimately we fail, then it certainly won't be for the want of trying. There are other players we are having discussions with, and in the next week or so we hope to have the majority of our squad for next season in place.” said Vaughan.

�I want to sort out a deal for Brabs because it�s important to us. I want to resolve the Brabin situation as quickly as possible because I�ve got other players in mind. Brabs is aware of this, but we can�t afford to be paying out a king�s ransom for someone to play Conference football. If we can justify paying out more all well and good, but we have to be realistic and we have to do things right for the football club. If Brabs can�t agree a deal it would be a shame. I�ve been working long and hard to sort something out, and I need to have an answer within the next week.� added Wright.

Manager Wright also hinted that some players will be loaned out next season. �I�ll be loaning out players like striker Danny Collins (and defender Chris O'Brien) who I believe has a lot to offer Chester in the future.”
20 May 2002
MORE CAPS

Keeper Wayne Brown helped the England National Game X1 to a 2-0 victory over Scotland with a fine double save, whilst in Saturday's other game there was a longer run-out for Lee Woodyatt who came on from the bench in the 68th minute in Wales' 5-2 victory over the Republic of Ireland at Boston.

17 May 2002
WAYNE SITS OUT DEFEAT

Wayne Brown remained on the bench for last night's National Game X1 Home International match in which England lost their long unbeaten run when the Republic of Ireland ran out 2-1 winners at York Street, Boston. A late Neil Moore goal proved the only consolation for the home side who trailed 2-0 at the break.

England: Andy Woods, Adam Lockwood (Nick Roddis), Tim Ryan, Jason Goodliffe, Neil Moore (Steve Watson), Simon Wormull; Simon Weatherstone (James Taylor), Mark Gower, Kirk Jackson (Junior McDougald); Adam Stansfield, Mark Angel. Subs not used: Wayne Brown, Aaron Webster, Stewart Drummond.

Meanwhile Lee Woodyatt came off the bench for the last three minutes of Wales' 2-1 victory over Scotland.

16 May 2002
CITY SIGN THREE
Chester have beaten off the challenge from several clubs to complete the signing of 25-year-old Michael Twiss from Leigh RMI. Twiss scored 15 goals in 30+4 outings in the Conference last season (including three against Chester!) and is an exciting acquisition for the club. His previous clubs include Manchester United (trainee), Sheffield United (loan 4+13 appearances, 1 goal), and Port Vale (24 appearances, 2 goals).

The club have also signed 29-year-old Jimmy Kelly from Doncaster Rovers and the vastly experienced 34-year-old player Michael Brown released by newly promoted Boston United this week.

[Jimmy Kelly]Kelly (left) began his career as a trainee at Wrexham before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1994. He left two years later and reappeared for the 1999/00 season at Hednesford Town. He joined Doncaster for a fee of £15,000 in June 2000. Kelly scored 1 goal in 39 appearances for Rovers last season.

Striker Brown started his long career as an apprentice at Shrewsbury Town in 1986. in 1991 he was transferred to Bolton Wanderers for £100,000 but rejoined the Shrews 12 months later for a quarter of that fee. In 1994 he signed for Preston for £75,000 only to return to Gay Meadow yet again three years later before joining Boston United last season where he played 21+5 matches for the Pilgrims netting 3 goals. His career total reads 482+88 league and cup appearances 47 goals.

A delighted manager Mark Wright said: �I�d like to thank club chairman, Stephen Vaughan, for his support and backing. Each of the four players I�ve signed have come here on free transfers and they will all be big assets to Chester. All four of the players have agreed to sign two-year contracts and I�m delighted they are coming to Chester, but I�m currently eyeing another two or three players which I hope I can sign within the next week.�

Whether any other players sign before the season starts remains to be seen but it's rumoured that Oxford United and ex-Forest Green defender Wayne Hatswell may be on manager Wright's shopping list, as well as ex-Oxford defender Scott Guyett. One player Wright has missed out on is Dover's striker Leon Kelly who has joined Ilkeston Town.

Meanwhile player-of-the-season Gary Brabin has still not put pen to paper on a new contract. The club have made Brabin an offer but, according to them, he's pricing himself out of a new deal.
15 May 2002
EVERTON FRIENDLY
Everton have announced on their website that they will be sending an Everton X1 to play Chester on Wednesday 31 July, kick-off 19:45hrs. Chester are also scheduled to play at Bangor City that night.

Mon Jul 22 Buckley Town
(A)
   
Wed Jul 24 Bury
(H)
   
Mon Jul 29 Connah's Quay Nomads
(A)
   
Wed Jul 31 Everton X1
(H)
  All Ticket. 19:45hrs
TBA TBA Bangor City
(A)
  Now to be re-arranged.
Sat Aug 3 Manchester City X1
(H)
 
Tue Aug 6 Manchester United reserves
(H)
  19:45hrs
Sat Aug 10 Vauxhall Motors
(A)
   
 

INTERNATIONALS
Wayne Brown played for the England National X1 last night in the 1-1 draw with Wales. Lee Woodyatt was named on the bench for Wales but did not play, perhaps his chance may come tomorrow at Kettering Town in the game against Scotland.
14 May 2002
INTERNATIONAL MATCH FOR CITY DUO?
Wayne Brown is expected to earn his sixth cap for the National Game X1 when they play Wales in the opening game of the Four Nations Tournament at Boston United tonight, meanwhile youngster Lee Woodyatt is in the Wales squad and may be lining up against him. Scotland play the Republic of Ireland at Kettering Town in the other fixture. A match report is available here.

National Game X1 announce UniBond Four Nations tournament

13 May 2002
LANCASTER SACKED
[martyn Lancaster]Defender Martyn Lancaster has been sacked by the club for what they describe as “serious breaches of club rules” following a number of incidents. Another unnamed player has been given a written warning from the club. A club spokesman said “Another player, whom we do not intend to name publicly, has been warned as to his future conduct, following one of the incidents.”

Chairman Steve Vaughan said: �The manager has made a decision to sack Martyn Lancaster and I stand by his decision. The club has got rules and regulations and the players have to abide by them. If the rules are broken the manager has to take necessary action and this is an example of what the club will do if anyone falls out of line. I'm looking forward to building for the future at Chester, and just getting on with the job.�

Lancaster progressed through the ranks at Chester after initially writing to the club for a trial. He played his way through the YTS scheme before earning a place in the first team squad two years ago, such was his progress that he was watched by several clubs and even had a trial at Villa Park.

In all, Lancaster made 123+13 appearances for Chester, scoring two goals.

CITY SIGN STRIKER
Chester have signed Lincoln City striker Dave Cameron. Cameron previously played for St.Mirren, Brighton & Hove Albion, Raith Rovers and Worthing before joining Lincoln in May 2000. His record over the last two seasons for the Imps is 11 goals in 74 appearances (inc subs).
CHARITY NIGHT SUCCESS
Well done to all those who contributed to Friday night's charity match at the Deva Stadium. A total of £5,177 was raised at the match played between the club�s new sponsors, Pentagon Glass-Tech, and a Chester XI. Monies raised on the night will go towards the Chester�s Football in the Community scheme. Two of next season's club sponsors, Pentagon Glass Tech, and Foam Bits (Liverpool) Ltd, donated more than £4,000 to the programme between them.

9 May 2002
NEW SIGNINGS
City manager Mark Wright has swooped to sign the 24-year-old Doncaster Rovers midfielder Kevin McIntyre on a two-year deal, and Ben Davies from Kidderminster Harriers, also for two years. Liverpool-born McIntyre who previously played for Everton, Tranmere Rovers and Barrow, missed the whole of last season with two foot injuries and can play at either left wing-back or in the centre of midfield while 20-year-old Davies is a hard-tackling midfielder and was one of seven players to be released by the Midlands club in a cost-cutting exercise.

8 May 2002
MORE RELEASES
Following on from yesterday's announcement, Richard Peacock has today also been released by the club. Peacock, only signed in March from Stalybridge Celtic and made six first team appearances. The club have also stated that both Iain Jenkins and Andy Porter have been put on the transfer list, joining them on the list are Brian McGorry and David Brown who both currently have 12 months left on their contract.

6 May 2002
FIVE RELEASED
Chester City have released five players at the end of their contracts as manager Mark Wright builds a squad that will hopefully challenge for promotion next season. The players released are: Dean Spink, Michael Rose, Steve Rose, Mick O'Brien and Brett Baxter. Good luck to them all in finding a new club.

[Dean Spink] [Mike Rose] [Steve Rose] [Mick O'Brien] [Brett Baxter]
Dean Spink
Michael Rose
Steve Rose
Mick O'Brien
Brett Baxter

NEW SPONSORSHIP REVEALED
Chester City have struck a new shirt sponsorship that chairman Steve Vaughan describes as “one of the biggest sponsorship agreements ever struck by a Conference club” with a nationwide company called Pentagon Glass Tech. “It's taken a lot of hard work, but all the lengthy negotiations have borne fruit,” said Vaughan.

FUNDRAISING MATCH
The football club are staging a fundraising game this Friday at the Deva Stadium and several former players are expected to turnout alongside (hopefully) current City boss Mark Wright, Shrewsbury Town manager Kevin Ratcliffe and ex-Everton and Tranmere Rovers favourite Ronnie Goodlass. The event is being staged to raise funds for the Chester's Football in the Community scheme. Admission is free but spectators will be asked to contribute to a collection being organised on the night for this worthy cause. The Chester directors and the new shirt sponsors, Pentagon Glass Tech, are donating £1,000 each and the event starts at 19:00hrs.

LDV VANS TROPHY
City are hoping for qualification into next season's LDV Vans Trophy. The number of Conference clubs admitted next season has been increased from eight to twelve and although Chester finished in 14th place Barnet, Farnborough Town and Margate – all of whom finished higher than City in the Conference – have ground capacities less than the required Football League minimum of 6,000, it is likely Chester will be invited to compete. Next season's tournament also includes all the member clubs from the second and third divisions of the Nationwide League, which includes neighbours Tranmere Rovers and Wrexham.

4 May 2002
NEW SIGNING FOR CITY?
Chester are reported to be close to signing 20-year-old midfielder Ben Davies from Kidderminster Harriers. Davies began his career as a trainee at Walsall before being joining Harriers� youth set up towards the end of the 1999/2000 season. He played 23 matches last season.

ON THE BORDERLINE UPDATES
Author Chas Sumner has issued this season's update pages which can be downloaded and printed here.

3 May 2002
NEW DEAL FOR WAYNE
[Wayne Brown]City fans will be delighted to hear that their semi-pro international goalkeeper Wayne Brown has signed a new improved two year deal with Chester. The new contract includes a testimonial match at the end of the 2003 season, possibly against a Premiership side.

Chairman Steve Vaughan was delighted that Brown has put pen to paper: “Other clubs (Cambridge United and Exeter City) were interested in signing Wayne, but he always wanted to stay with us and that's heartening. He has enjoyed a great season with the club, and is also a favourite with our fans. As a recognition of his service and loyalty to the club, we were only too pleased to award him a well deserved testimonial game.”

The club are expected to announce the retained list in the next few days.

2 May 2002
WIN FOR RESERVES

A tremendous goal from David Brown three minutes from time gave the reserves a 3-2 win against a young Marine reserves side at Deva Stadium last night. The strong City line-up was: Jago, Woodyatt, M. Rose, McGorry (Porter), Lancaster, Ruffer, Haarhoff (Malkin), M O'Brien, Brown, Spink.

The Blues took the lead on 22 minutes when David Brown was tripped on the edge of the six yard box and Mick O'Brien slotted home the resulting penalty. Two minutes later Jimmy Haarhoff doubled the lead following a typical jinky run and a shot from a very narrow angle. Just before half-time Lee Woodyatt was caught in possession after being thrown the ball from 'keeper Michael Jago and allowed Cummings to score from the edge of the box. More sloppy defending on 76 minutes by Michael Rose allowed Cummings in for his second before Brown's unstoppable 18 yard shot from a Peacock cross saved the Blues' blushes.

City's reserves play their final match of the season tonight at home to Accrington Stanley reserves, kick-off 19:45hrs. Next season the side have applied to be compete in the Avon Insurance League.

Download » Reserve fixtures and stats 2001/02

VAUGHAN RUBISHES RUMOURS
City chairman Steve Vaughan has hit back at rumours (reported in last night's Evening Leader) that Chester may ground share at Tranmere Rovers next season as “absolute rubbish.” “If Tranmere Rovers wish to accrue money by selling Prenton Park and groundsharing with us at the Deva Stadium, then we would be pleased to talk to them, but as for us moving up there, that is definitely not an option. We are building things at Chester City, not destroying them. The future is looking brighter, and we are having discussions about purchasing freehold of our stadium, so we are certainly not considering moving from our modern ground in Chester, that totally meets all the requirements of the Taylor Report.” he said.

1 May 2002
LEE WOODYATT CALLED UP

[Lee Woodyatt]Congratulations to City defender Lee Woodyatt who has been included in the Wales semi-pro squad to take part in the forthcoming Four Nations Tournament that's being played at Boston United and Kettering Town later this month. Lee may come face to face with Wayne Brown in the England v Wales match at Boston on 14 May.
The full squad is:

Goalkeepers: Tony Roberts (Dagenham & Redbridge) Pat Mountain (Newport County)
Defenders: Lee Woodyatt (Chester City) Tony James (Hereford United) Neil O'Brien (Carmarthen Town) Gary Lloyd (Barry Town) Andrew York (Barry Town) Matthew Coupe (Forest Green Rovers) Midfielders: Ricky Evans (Total Network Solution) Mike Flynn (Barry Town) Tony Pring (Newport County) Nathan Davies (Newport County) Simon Davies (Bangor City) Paul Parry (Hereford United) Forwards: Marc Lloyd-Williams (Bangor City) Gavin Williams (Hereford United) Mark Dickeson (Llanelli) Graham Evans (Caersws) Peter Smith (Telford United).

National Game X1 Four Nations tournament

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