30 November 2001
PLAYERS DOUBTFUL
Defender
Chris O'Brien (left) has flu and along with
Carl Ruffer (knee) and Mick O'Brien (sciatica)
are all rated as doubtful for tomorrow's match
at Woking. City will welcome back Mark Beesley
and Chris Blackburn from suspension though,
and give a second debut to midfielder Paul
Carden after he re-signed for City this week.
The players will be looking for nothing less than three points tomorrow
after being told in no uncertain terms earlier in the week by chairman
Vaughan that an improvement on recent form is essential if they are
to be kept at the club. |
NO WOKING COACH
There will be no supporters
coach to Woking tomorrow due to a lack of demand. Only
15 supporters had shown an interest in travelling, too
few to make the trip worthwhile.
29 November 2001
SUPPORTERS TRUST MEETING
The Chester City Supporters Trust hold
a meeting at the Deva Stadium tonight starting at 19:30hrs. City
chairman Steve Vaughan will be in attendance. The three main items
on the agenda are:
1. To hear about the exciting plans the new owners
have to develop the club
2. To discuss the offer of shares in the club
3. Explain the Trust Loan Fund
Although this is a members meeting, non-members
may attend. More information will be found on the Supporters Trust website.
27 November 2001
VAUGHAN PROMISES CHANGES
Chairman Steve Vaughan has promised changes
following City's defeat at Dover on Saturday. The Blues slipped into
the bottom two after being beaten 1-0 at the Crabble Ground and Vaughan
said: The supporters and me are expecting better from professional
players, and I'm sick of hearing about how unfortunate we've been
when the truth is that we've been rolled over. The players have had
opportunities to prove themselves we had good results at Yeovil,
and Morecambe, but then we get rolled over by Dover. I've got all
the debts from the club's previous owners and I've got to clear it.
We're stuck with contracted players and debts. We've got to try and
get this club up the table. The teams preparation is perfect, but
the results are not acceptable. I don't care who I upset, I'm looking
towards the future I've never known a side to play well one
day and do bad on another day. They may be a Jekyl and Hyde side.
but I can be a Jekyl and Hyde chairman, and I'll turn on them if
they don't perform. Vaughan held a meeting yesterday of all
the first team players and reserves yesterday and stated that some
players will be put up for sale and others will be sent out on loan.
23 November 2001
TEAM NEWS
City may be without several key players
for tomorrow's six-pointer at Dover Athletic. Mark Beesley and Chris
Blackburn both serve match suspensions, while Jimmy Haarhoff, Mick
O'Brien, and Michael Rose are all doubtful through injury.
On the plus side, striker Gary Williams who impressed
against Rushden is set to make his Conference debut, as is Alex
Higgins. Higgins, who plays on the left side of midfield, has played
for Sheffield Wednesday and QPR and the club were hoping he'd sign
on a non-contract basis today. City are also hoping to have Paul
Carden in the line-up tomorrow. The club faxed an offer to Doncaster
Rovers on Wednesday night and were confident it would be accepted.
Dover, under caretaker-manager Clive Walker,
aren't without their own problems and also have players missing.
Defeat for City tomorrow will send them below Athletic and into the
bottom three of the table.
NEW DIRECTOR
Former Tranmere Rovers chairman Fred
Williams has become a director of Chester City. A Tranmere fan since
he was a boy, Williams, ran four companies in the construction and
heating and ventilation business before his retirement. Williams
was chairman at Prenton Park for 12 months after being a board member
for 20 years.
22 November 2001
ISA MEETING
The next ISA members meeting will be this
Monday 26 November at The Royal Mail Club, Station Road, Chester,
starting at 19:30hrs. The guest speaker is City manager Steve Mungall.
FANS UNITED 4
Wimbledon Independent Supporters' Association
have organised a Fans' United Day on Sunday 16th December at their 'home'
match v. Nottingham Forest. This match was specifically chosen because,
with it being on a Sunday, most other teams will not be playing and there
will therefore be a chance for more fans of other teams to attend. The
aim of the event is to highlight the value of supporters to football clubs
and the link between a football club and its local community and, more
specifically, to protest against franchising in football, the MK issue
and to push for a return for
Wimbledon FC to its rightful home in Merton.
![[Fans United Four]](fans4banner.gif)
The match is not all-ticket though seats are limited.
Anyone interested in helping out should contact Richard
McGregor (WISA Committee member).
20 November 2001
LADIES WIN AGAIN
A hat-trick by Cally Reid gave Chester City Ladies
a 3-0 victory at Macclesfield Town on Sunday in the Cheshire Cup, they
now meet Witton Albion at home on 16 December in the quarter final of the
competition. The team are holding a party with disco and buffet on Friday
30 November at the Deva Stadium social club (fancy dress optional!). The
fun starts at 20:00hrs and tickets which are just £3 are available
from Mickey Clifford 01244 347782, George Rogers 01244 536466 or Kevin
Grainger on 01244 659464.
GAME REARRANGED
Chester have brought forward their home Conference
match with Morecambe from mid February to Saturday 8 December, kick-off
15:00hrs. City were without a match that day (FA Cup second round) and
Morecambe's scheduled Conference opponents Dagenham & Redbridge are
still involved in the Cup competition.
17 November 2001
CARDEN TO RETURN?
City
are showing interest in signing former player Paul Carden back from Doncaster
Rovers. The midfielder moved to Belle Vue in the summer for £3,000
but has been out of the side recently and the Yorkshire club are looking
to recover their fee for him.
Carden said I'd definitely fancy coming back
to Chester. All I know is what I've read in the papers. Gareth Owen said
it was in the Evening Leader last week and I asked my boss if it was
true. Obviously I'm pleased that Chester are showing an interest, I've
got a lot of time for Chester and I enjoyed my time there.
I'd like to go back to Chester City and try and
turn round hat happened at the club last season. No club has a divine right
to be in the Football League, but of all the clubs in the Conference, Chester
should be back in the league. I always look for Chester's results and I
still talk to Mark Beesley, Carl Ruffer and Chris Malkin. They've told
me things are really looking up at Chester, and they all speak highly of
Steve Mungall as a coach and a person.
CITY REJECT BID
Chester have turned down a bid of £50,000
from Rushden & Diamonds for striker Mark Beesley.
14 November 2001
CITY LOSE ON PENALTIES
City missed out on the J.C.Thompson Championship
Shield last night losing 4-3 on penalties at Rushden & Diamonds
after the game had finished 2-2 after 90 minutes and extra-time.
Chester gave a debut to on-loan Accrington Stanley striker Gary Williams
who showed great pace and scored a wonderful goal to give City the
lead. Mark Beesley also scored a superb goal following a smart three
man move but City's sloppiness in defence twice gifted the home side
equalisers. Chester almost snatched a last gasp winner but Dean Spink
was unable to stretch out a leg to divert Mark Beesley's teasing
cross in the 85th minute. City boss Steve Mungall said following
the defeat: We gave a great showing and I thought the lads
played some good stuff creating a number of good chances. It wasn't
a backs to the wall performance like at Yeovil the other week, and
we more than matched them. On debutant Gary Williams Mungall
said: He's got good feet good ability and pace and adds to
our options. He did tire as the game went on and that is why we had
to bring him off. We could well look at extending his loan period
beyond the month.
LADIES THROUGH TO THIRD ROUND
Two goals by Helen Cann and another by Leigh Broadbent
brought City a thrilling 3-2 win at Middlesbrough on Sunday in the second
round of the Womens FA Cup. The tie was decided in extra-time after the
match had finished 2-2 after 90 minutes. City's reward is a home tie with
Newcastle United in the third round on Sunday 9 December. The team and
their management would like to thank the dozen City fans who made the long
trip to Teesside to cheer on the girls, it was really appreciated.
12 November 2001
SHARES FOR THE FANS
The following statement was issued by the Chester
City Supporters Trust on Saturday and outlines the news that chairman Steve
Vaughan has agreed to sell 7% of his shares to City fans who are members
of the Chester City Supporters Trust.
<start>
SUPPORTERS’ SHAREHOLDING IN THE CLUB
The Chester City Supporters Trust, an Industrial and Provident Society,
was formed in November 2000 to provide a legal framework to enable supporters
to own shares in the club and to have a supporter director on the Board.
Since Stephen Vaughan took over at the club, he has
gone out of his way to work positively and co-operatively with the Trust,
so much so that we are now pleased to report that the club has agreed
to sell shares to fans through the medium of the Trust.
Those wishing to join in with this share purchase must
be members of the Trust. If you have not already done so, therefore,
now is the time to join the Trust and help create a solid foundation
for the future of Chester City FC. Application Forms to join the Trust
can be obtained on the internet at www.SupportChester.co.uk or
by post to Chester City Supporters Trust, PO Box. 3170, Chester, CH4
8WP.
The Board of Chester City Supporters Trust
<end>
RUSHDEN NEXT
Chester travel to Rushden & Diamonds tomorrow
for the CIS Cup match, the non-league equivalent of the Charity Shield.
Jimmy Haarhoff must be doubtful for the Blues following his injury against
Forest Green Rovers, but Steve Halford and Dean Spink will be available
after serving their suspensions. The game kick's-off at 19:45hrs and extra
time and penalties will decide the tie should they be necessary. City are
expecting to field 24-year-old striker Gary Williams who has joined on
a month's loan from Accrington Stanley. A fee will be involved should manager
Steve Mungall want to sign the player.
NEW DIRECTORS
Following the purchase of 21% of Steve Vaughan's
shareholding at the club Sheelagh Horne, Michael Horne and Alan Case have
joined the board of directors. As a result, Case has resigned from the
ISA committee who have issued the following statement: Alan Case
tendered his resignation from the ISA Committee co-incident with his appointment
to the Board of Directors of Chester City FC. We would like to thank him
for his efforts over the last three years and send him, and Sheelagh and
Michael Horne, our best wishes as local and committed City supporters in
their new capacity as Directors and investors in Chester City FC.
9 November 2001
CITY LOOK TO CONTINUE RUN
Chester entertain Forest Green Rovers at Deva
Stadium tomorrow (15:00hrs) looking to build on a run that has seen them
take 10 from the last 12 Conference points available. Jimmy Haarhoff and
Mark Beesley will lead the strike force and Mike O'Brien is expected to
return in midfield following a back injury which kept him out of Tuesday's
Cheshire Cup match, as is defender Chris O'Brien. Scott Ruscoe will also
feature but may have to be content with another place on the bench. Steve
Halford and Dean Spink are unavailable through suspension. Manager Steve
Mungall said: “I’m naming a squad of 16 players for Saturday’s match, but
I’m still unsure about a few positions. I’m not sure whether to put Scott
Ruscoe in my starting line-up, and whether to name Chris Malkin as a substitute.
Paul Berry will definitely play no part because he’s suffering from a virus.”
DOVER COACH
City fans who want to travel on the supporters
coach to see the Blues at The Crabble on 24 November should contact
either Barrie Hipkiss or Richard Prince at tomorrow's match to book
a place. Alternatively please phone Barrie on (01244) 379011 between
18:00-20:00hrs only. The coach leaves at 07:45hrs and seats cost £15.
8 November 2001
FANS FORUM
Around 100 City fans attended last night's
Fans Forum at Deva Stadium. Questions were answered by Steve Vaughan,
his brother and business partner Roy, John Radege (Chief Exec), Jim
Jones (Commercial Manager), Richard Lavender (Marketing Executive)
and Steve Mungall. You can read Les Smith's account of the meeting here.
It was promised that another forum would be held in a month's time
when the full financial appraisal of the Club should be available.
7 November 2001
CITY OUT OF CUP
Chester lost 2-1 at home to Stalybridge
Celtic last night in the second round of the Cheshire Senior Cup.
The game went to extra time after the two sides finished 1-1 after
90 minutes. The crowd, given free admission by the club included
many families and was a healthy 1,408. The club’s stewards volunteered
to work for nothing on the night, and the Chester players also agreed
to play without receiving appearance money. The only payments were
made to St John’s Ambulance, and the match officials.
SUSPENDED
Defender
Steve Halford will miss Saturday's match with Forest Green
Rovers as he serves a one match suspension. |
FANS FORUM
There will be a fans forum at the Deva
Stadium tonight in the social club starting at 19:00hrs. Steve Vaughan
will be on hand to give the latest details regarding the financial
position of the club and the possibility of forming a new company.
There will be a Q&A session as well.
5 November 2001
BATTLING CITY WIN AT YEOVIL
It
was back's to the wall for most of Saturday's match but City fought
well to gain a valuable win at Huish Park. Mark Beesley's clinical
finish midway through the first half was enough to grab the points
but an all-round team effort was needed to make sure the lead was
preserved.
Two great saves by Wayne Brown and a goal line
clearance by Mick O'Brien thwarted the home side when it seemed
that an equaliser was inevitable during long periods of second
half pressure.
“The lads showed commitment, effort and fight it
was an outstanding display, and an immense performance on the day
from the whole team. They really worked their socks off, said
a delighted Steve Mungall.
GREAT WIN FOR THE LADIES TOO
Goals from Helen Cann (3), Sarah Tyson and
Clare Reynolds gave Chester City Ladies a thrilling 5-2 victory over
Manchester United on Sunday in front of 50 fans at the County Officers
club. Indeed City were leading 5-0 until injuries late on to Michelle
Hounslow and Sarah Tyson forced a reshuffle. This is a great result
especially when you consider that United, like Scunthorpe and Blackpool
before them were top of the league until they played us!
CHESHIRE CUP
City are at home on Tuesday to Stalybridge
Celtic in the second round of the FA Unibond Cheshire Senior Cup.
The game kick's off at 19:45. There may even be a return to the Deva
Stadium for ex-players Mattie Woods and Paul Beesley who recently
signed for Paul Futcher's side. Admission to the match is free “I
had planned for supporters to watch a league game free, but I’ve
switched the idea to tomorrow’s game because our exit from the FA
Cup hit our resources. said chairman Vaughan. The club will
be hoping for a bigger crowd than the first round when just 57 turned
up to see the victory over Congleton Town in a competition that has
rarely attracted great interest.
CITY BID FOR DUO
Chester have tabled a bid in the region
of £40,000 for Telford United's Neil Moore and Jake Edwards.
United recently put their entire squad up for sale in an effort to
raise much needed cash. Defender Moore has played for Everton reserves,
Norwich City, Burnley and Macclesfield Town while striker Edwards,
who scored a hat-trick against Hayes yesterday, has previously played
for Wrexham. Telford value the players far higher wanting £35k
for each. City team boss Mungall said: “We’re not prepared to pay
out £35,000 each for Neil Moore and Jake Edwards, but Neil
Moore will be available on a Bosman from January, and we’ll speak
to him then.
FIXTURE MOVE?
The club are attempting to bring forward the
home Conference match with Leigh RMI, scheduled for 2 March, to Saturday
17 November to try and fill the vacant FA Cup round 1 day. Scarborough
have already been approached and refused to play.
2 November 2001
INDEPENDENT ARTICLE
This morning's copy of The Independent contains
a large article on Steve Vaughan, mostly regarding his dealings at Barrow,
written by David Conn. Conn also wrote an article on Terry Smith and Chester
City a few months ago. You can read the online version here.
CITY LADIES
The Chester City Ladies are at home to
Manchester United Ladies on Sunday in a Northern Combination League
match. The kick-off is at 14:00hrs and the home venue is the Cheshire
County Officers Club in Upton. Why not go along and give the team
some support.
1 November 2001
YEOVIL
Anyone travelling to Yeovil on Saturday
should note that the away terrace won't be open. Chester supporters
should use the Bartlett stand (Adults £9 children £6).
Unlike last season, the social club will not admit away fans either
on Saturday, so if you want a pre-match drink it's a trip to Yeovil
town centre, miles away.City will have both Dean Spink (three matches)
and Martyn Lancaster (1 match) missing through suspension on Saturday
while striker Mark Beesley still hasn't fully recovered from his
groin injury and may start again on the bench. Midfielder Andy Porter
has a toe injury but manager Steve Mungall will welcome back both
O'Brien's, Chris and Mike.
GREAT PERFORMANCE
Chester's 3-0 victory at Morecambe recently
has earned them the Nationwide Conference performance of the month
award. City will receive a trophy and a £250 cheque at their
next home match against Forest Green Rovers. |