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NEWS FROM DEVA STADIUM 2004
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OCTOBER 2004
30 October 2004
AWAY DRAW FOR CITY

Chester have drawn Stafford Rangers away in the first round of the FA Cup. The tie will take place at Marston Road on Saturday 13 November. The Conference North side booked their place in the first round draw today with a 2-1 home win over Gateshead. The first round prize money is £16,000.

ANNOUNCEMENT ON MONDAY
Chairman Steve Vaughan has stated on SKY Sports after today’s game at Yeovil, that an announcement would be made by the club on Monday regarding the position of manager Ian Rush in relation to the Wales job.

29 October 2004
RUSH TO HOLD TALKS WITH WELSH FA

The Welsh FA have asked the club, and been given permission, to hold talks with City manager Ian Rush in relation to the Welsh national managerial position.

Rush has only been involved in management since taking over at League Two Chester in August but has been strongly tipped as a potential successor to Mark Hughes.

Chester chairman Stephen Vaughan told Sky Sports News: “I don’t know whether he has been offered the job but we are not going to stand in his way. He has done a tremendous job for Chester City but at the end of the day this is how it is.

He has proved our decision (to appoint Rush) was right. Ian Rush is going to be a big name in football management. We would like to keep him but we can’t compete with a job like the Wales job.

The club is full of drama and theres nothing we can do about that. We said to his agent when he got the job at Chester that if a bigger job came in we’d let him talk to them.”

FA CUP DRAW
The draw for the first round of the FA Cup will take place tomorrow at 17:00hrs on BBC1 TV. Chester will be ball number 12.

SAME AGAIN
Manager Ian Rush looks set to keep faith with the side that has brought two home victories this week for tomorrow’s away match at eighth placed Yeovil Town. The game at Huish Park kick’s-off at 15:00hrs.

28 October 2004
WELL DONE BOYS!

Pictured are the Chester City centre of excellence under 9/10 squad, with coach Danny Jones, outside the National Sports Centre Lillishall at the recent Shrewsbury Town football club tounamount. Doing very well, they reached the final, winning games against Port Vale, West Bromwich Albion and Shrewsbury Town on the way before eventually being pipped by Tranmere Rovers.



A group picture featuring teams and staff of the Chester City Centre of Excellence has been added here.

STAMP REJECTS LOAN DEAL
Striker Darryn Stamp has rejected the chance of moving to Forest Green Rovers on loan preferring to stay at the Deva and fight for his place in the first team. Last week the striker rejected a similar proposal from Scarborough.

27 October 2004
BELLE SUSPENDED

Cortez Belle received his fifth card of the season last night and is due to face a one match ban beginning on 2 November so he will miss the LDV Vans Trophy game against Rochdale on that date. [thefa.com]. Meanwhile Chester have announced reduced admission prices for that LDV game where adults will pay £10.00 and juniors £5.00 for entry
.
RESRVES LOSE
City’s reserves lost 3-0 at home to Oldham Athletic reserves at Deva Stadium this afternoon in a Pontins Holiday League game. Colin Doyle played in goal for City. All the goals came in the second half.


26 October 2004
CITY ON THE UP

City brushed aside bottom-of-the-table Kidderminster Harriers 3-0 to move up four places to 14th in League Two. Michael Branch headed City ahead on 28 minutes, and they should have doubled their lead as Richard Hope headed wide from six yards.

Following the break Wayne Hatswell was sent-off for bringing down Branch, the former City defender received a standing ovation as he left the pitch before Kevin Ellison swept home the resulting free-kick. Man-of-the-match Ben Davies wrapped up the scoring on 64 minutes against his former club after substitute Daryl Clare had seen a shot blocked.

Latest League 2 table

SOUTHEND SWITCH
The game against Southend United at Roots Hall scheduled for Saturday 18 December has been brought forward a day and will now take place on Friday 17 December, kick-off 19:45hrs. The official Southend website says this was a joint decision made by both clubs due to the proximity of Christmas.
FA YOUTH CUP DRAW
Chester have been drawn at home to play either Sacrborough or Whitley Bay in the First Round Proper of this year’s competition. The game must be played by Saturday 13 November.
CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
A group picture featuring teams and staff of the Chester City Centre of Excellence has been added here.
25 October 2004
SPECIAL BRANCH

Two quality goals from man-of-the-match Michael Branch set up City’s 2-1 victory over Grimsby Town on Saturday. Branch struck with both goals in a three minutes spell towards the end of the first half, The Mariners reduced the arrears right on half-time as Phil Bolland deflected in a shot from on-loan striker John Daly over Chris MacKenzie.

The Blues withstood a lot of second half pressure from the visitors but held out for the three points that lifts them to 18th position in League Two.

City can climb as high as 14th should they overcome Kidderminster Harriers at Deva Stadium on Tuesday night. This will be the first league encounter between the sides, with Harriers gaining promotion as City were relegated to the Conference in 2000.

The only occasion the teams have met before was at Sealand Road in the fourth round of the Welsh Cup in January 1976 (programme left). A repeat of the scoreline on that occasion would be nice as goals from Nigel Edwards, Tony Loska, Barney Daniels, Terry Owen, Stuart Mason, Paul Crossley and two from Dave Lennard gave Chester an emphatic 8-1 victory.

Harriers currently lie at the foot of League Two having lost six of their seven away matches this season, the only point on their travels coming at Rushden & Diamonds on the opening day of the season. Ian Rush is expected to name an unchanged side for the game, while kiddy should field ex-City player Wayne Hatswell, who, given the circumstances of his departure from the Deva, deserves a decent reception from the City fans.
22 October 2004
CLARE TO RETURN?

City welcome Grimsby Town for their first-ever visit to Deva Stadium tomorrow. The two sides haven’t met since the 1990/91 season when City were exiled at Macclesfield when the Mariners completed the double.

Grimsby currently lie mid-table and, like City, have two away wins to show for their travels so far at Cambridge United and Northampton Town and will give fitness tests to both Jason Crowe and John McDermott ahead of tomorrow's game.

Chris MacKenzie will once again play in goal for City. Wayne Brown’s calf injury picked up in the pre-match warm-up last Saturday is not as bad as first feared and he could be back in action soon. With only two goals scored at home in six matches, there could also be a start for Daryl Clare who played in Wednesday’s reserve victory over Carlisle United.
KEEPER SIGNS ON LOAN
City have signed 19-year-old goalkeeper Colin Doyle on a month’s loan from Birmingham City. With Wayne Brown currently out with a calf injury, Doyle will act as cover for Chris MacKenzie.
SHREWSBURY ALL TICKET
Today’s Daily Post has stated that the home League Two game with Shrewsbury Town on Saturday 11 December is to be all-ticket.
20 October 2004
RESERVES WIN

Two goals from Darryn Stamp and a goal each from Daryl Clare and Stephen Vaughan gave City’s reserve team a resounding 4-0 victory over Carlisle United in the Pontins Holiday League at Deva Stadium this afternoon.

Reserve team fixtures | table

VAUGHAN CONFIRMES SEADOGS INTEREST
darryn StampSteve Vaughan confirmed at last night’s fans forum that Scarborough had expressed an interest in both Daryl Clare and Darryn Stamp, the City strikeforce that netted 50 goals last season.

Vaughan said: “I had an enquiry from the Scarborough chairman Malcolm Reynolds, asking about Darryn’s current situation. I will talk to Ian Rush and discuss the position. If it gives the player regular first team football possibly it will be good for all parties.”
He added: “It is flattering to have interest from other clubs about our players, and while a temporary move for Darryn Stamp may be beneficial to both parties, I think that it is highly unlikely that Daryl Clare would be allowed to go, even on a loan basis. Daryl has just returned from hernia surgery and I know he figures in Ian Rush’s plans, as I’ve said before we are building a team here not dismantling it.”

Since returning from a pre-season injury, Stamp has found it hard to regain his place up front due to some sterling performances from summer signing Cortez Belle who has grabbed his chance to impress manager Ian Rush with both hands.

19 October 2004
FANS FORUM TONIGHT

Chairman Steve Vaughan will be answering questions at a fans forum at the Deva Stadium social club tonight. Doors open at 19:00hrs for a 20:00hrs start. The evening will be chaired by Graham Ross of the Supporters Trust, iIt will be a straight Q&A session. All supporters are invited to attend.
18 October 2004
CITY ON A ROLL

The Blues have now gone eight games undefeated since Ian Rush took charge of his first side against Macclesfield Town. Saturday’s 1-0 win at Rushden & Diamonds lifted the Blues to 19th in League Two though that position is likely to change after tomorrow night’s round of matches, the Blues play the following week due to Rush’s involvement with the Welsh u17 side.

Stewart Drummond proved City’s match winner at Nene Park, heading home unmarked on 77 minutes and the Blues were guilty of squandering several good chances to extend their lead after that.

With Wayne Brown picking up a leg injury in the pre-match warm-up, and he may possible be out for up to four weeks as a result, Chris MacKenzie made his full league debut for City between the sticks. His only other appearance was at Hillsborough and he rose to the occasion making a superb one-handed second-half save to keep out Burgess’s long-range pile driver.

With the departure of Danny Collins in the week, Richard Hope also made a full, and impressive, league debut for City at Nene Park. You can read Richard’s thoughts on the game in his regular column for Sky Sports here.

City now have two home games in succession. Grimsby Town make their first-ever visit to Deva Stadium on Saturday, and there’s a visit from Kidderminster Harriers the following Tuesday – which will be the first-ever league meeting between the sides.

League Two Table.

YOUTH ALLIANCE CUP DRAW
Chester City have a home draw against Tranmere Rovers in round 2 of the Football League Youth Alliance Cup. The Blues were given a bye in round 1 whilst opponents Tranmere beat Wrexham 2-0. The tie is scheduled to be played on Saturday 27 November.

Meanwhile the team beat Rotherham United at home 3-0 on Saturday with goals from James Salkeld (penalty), Mark Cadwallader and Robbie Booth to move fourth in the Youth Alliance North Central Conference.

Youth team fixtures | table

15 October 2004
SELECTION HEADACHE FOR RUSH

With the exception of Andy Watson, manager Ian Rush will have a full squad to choose from for tomorrow’s League Two game against Rushden & Diamonds at Nene Park.

The Blues make only their third visit to the Northamptonshire ground (kick-off 15:00hrs) where they played their first ever match in the Nationwide Conference and contested the J C Thompson Championship Shield in 2001/02. City lost on both occasions (the second on a penalty shoot-out) so fans will be hoping it’s a case of third time lucky tomorrow against a side City have never beaten.


Ahead of the game Diamonds have signed two players on loan this week, Gary Mulligan (Watford) and Drewe Broughton (Southend United) both could debut tomorrow. Rushden currently lie in 14th place with 16 points, 4 more than Chester and have a home record that reads P6, W2, D3, L1, F3, A4.

The last visit to Nene Park.

13 October 2004
SETTLEMENT AGREED

City fans will be pleased to hear that club chairman Steve Vaughan has told the Evening Leader that an out of court settlement has been made with York-based Goldcrest Finance Corporation over a petition to wind up Vaughan Trading Company.

Vaughan stated: “It was a dispute between both companies that simply got out of hand. We have now settled that dispute out of court, and there is no longer any claim against Vaughan Trading Ltd. There is no need to worry; the only time to worry is when I am no longer at Chester City FC. I am the club’s overdraft facility, and while I am here I will not let Chester City FC go under.”
Vaughan also confirmed that the club would not be going into administration. “Yes, we have applied for financial administration. It was the only option open to us on the particular day that we made the application, but it will not happen. Chester City FC will not go into administration.”
RESERVES LOSE
City reserves lost 1-4 tonight against league leaders Manchester United in a Pontins Holiday League game. Kevin McIntyre scored for the Blues with a diving header on 66 minutes in the match played in front of 201 at Hyde United.

The City team was: MacKenzie, Vaughan, McIntyre, Ventre, Jones, Abdulahic ((trialist) Salkeld 60), Harris (Walsh 73), Booth (Rutherford 70), Stamp, Clare, Watson, Subs not used: Brookfield, Whalley.

Reserve team fixtures | table

11 October 2004
COLLINS JOINS SUNDERLAND

Good luck to City defender Danny Collins who has signed a three-and-a-half year contract for Championship side Sunderland today. The fee reported on the official Sunderland site is £140,000 of which his former club Buckley Town will receive 20%.

Collins signed for City from Buckley in 2001, initially as a striker, and went on to make 74+5 appearances, scoring 4 goals, for the Blues. During his stay at City had had a successful loan spell at neighbours Vauxhall Motors and was in the side for their giant-killing FA Cup win at Queens Park Rangers. In 2003 he picked up a National Game X1 Semi-Pro cap for England against Holland.

Danny told the Sunderland Echo: “I’m delighted to be given the chance to come to Sunderland and to be honest I’m still pinching myself at the thought of how far I’ve come in such a short space of time. I’ve enjoyed my time at Chester City and I wish them all the best for the future, but I was grateful that chairman Stephen Vaughan gave me the opportunity to improve myself by moving to Sunderland.”
8 October 2004
BLUES WELCOME BACK ELLISON

City make ony their second-ever visit to Whaddon Road tonight for their League Two game against Cheltenham Town. The last occasion the two sides met was back in April 2000 when City were fighting relegation to the Conference and the Robins were looking for a play-off place in division three. Over 1,000 City fans made the trip on that occasion only to see their side lose 1-0. Two Blues players remain from that visit, Wayne Brown and Paul Carden.

Cheltenham currently lie just two places above City on the same number of points and, like the Blues, have won on just one occasion at home to date, 1-0 against Boston United.

Ian Rush will welcome back Kevin Ellison back the squad that drew with Swansea City last Saturday following his one match ban.

Match report from the last time we met.
7 October 2004
FANS FORUM

Chairman Steve Vaughan has agreed to hold a fans forum at the Deva Stadium social club on Tuesday 19 October. The meeting starts at 20:00hrs and will be chaired by Graham Ross of the Supporters Trust. It will be a straight Q&A session. All supporters are invited to attend.
6 October 2004
CLARE SPOT ON

Daryl Clare scored the second-half equaliser for City’s reserves from the penalty spot in today’s 1-1 draw at Rochdale. The home side had earlier taken the lead through Daryl Burgess in blustery conditions at Rossendale United’s Dark Lane ground this afternoon.

Chester Reserves: MacKenzie, Vaughan, Hope, Ventre, McIntyre, Booth, Harris, Watson, Whalley, Clare, Stamp. Subs: Brookfield, Rutherford, Salkeld, Walsh, D.Jones.



Reserve team fixtures | table

5 October 2004
BLUES PONDER DEBT SITUATION

This mornings Daily Post reports that City are contemplating filing for financial administration, possibly today. This will allow the club several weeks grace to negotiate with creditors over historical debts, tax etc, incurred by the current regime. “This is the old saga of debts we accrued from the previous ownership, We have been gradually paying off the old debts, but it appears that the authorities are getting extremely tough with football clubs” chief executive David Burford told the paper.
RUN-OUT FOR CLARE
Daryl Clare is expected to turn out for the reserves tomorrow at Rochdale as he gets back to match fitness following his hernia operation. Andy Watson may also get a first run-out since his summer signing from Farsley Celtic. Watson had a knee operation during the pre-season.
2 October 2004
HOME DRAW FOR CITY

Chester have been drawn at home to play Rochdale in the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy. The game will take place week commencing 1 November. The draw in full is:
Northern Section
Oldham Athletic v Accrington Stanley
Hereford United v Doncaster Rovers
Chester City v Rochdale
Carlisle United v Hartlepool United
Wrexham v Stockport County
Blackpool v Huddersfield Town
Macclesfield Town v Mansfield Town
Tranmere Rovers v Port Vale
Southern Section
Cheltenham Town v Walsall
Wycombe Wanderers v Swansea City
Bristol Rovers v Barnet
Torquay United v Northampton Town
Cambridge United v Leyton Orient
Exeter City v Swindon Town
Bristol City v Milton Keynes
Southend United v Shrewsbury Town

1 October 2004
TOUGH TEST FOR CITY

High flying Swansea City visit Deva Stadium tomorrow for what promises to be an exciting clash. The Blues’ confidence will be high following the terrific midweek win at Sheffield Wednesday as they take on a Swans side currently third in League Two and with three away under their belt already this season. Like City, they tasted LDV success in the week with a 2-0 home win over League One table toppers Luton Town.

Manager Ian Rush must do without in-form winger Kevin Ellison who is suspended for the game. Ellison scored the equaliser at Lincoln last Saturday and popped-up again with a stunning winner at Hillsborough. However Cortez Belle is available following his three match ban and it remains to be seen whether Michael Branch is match fit enough to play as City look to extend their unbeaten run under Rush to six games. Daryl Clare is still some weeks away from a return to first team duties though as he recovers from a hernia operation.

BLACK CATS OFFER FOR DANNY
Sunderland have followed Sheffield United with a bid for 24-year-old defender Danny Collins. Chairman Steve Vaughan has confirmed that his opposite number Bob Murray had contacted him and faxed over their, as yet undisclosed, offer.

Collins is out of contract at the end of the season and the Blues are desperate for him to stay at the Deva. The club are expected to open talks with the defender regarding new terms shortly.


Ian Rush told the Evening Leader: “I want Danny Collins to stay. He’s an excellent player who is in top form and he is part of my plans. Danny and Phil Bolland have been excellent as our centre backs and I want that to continue. I won’t be allowing Danny to speak to any club because he’s still on contract at Chester City. He won’t be speaking to anyone unless I feel it’s right. In fairness to Danny his attitude is superb and you never know what happens in football, but I’d love him to stay at Chester.”

The defender missed the midweek game with an ankle injury but is expected to be fit for tomorrow.

CHESHIRE CUP DRAW
City have been drawn at home in the second round of the Cheshire Cup to Altrincham, however the game has been switched to Moss Lane and will take place on Tuesday 9 November, kick-off 19:45hrs.

The full draw is:
Stalybride Celtic v Vauxhall Motors
Tranmere Rovers v Crewe Alexandra
Chester City v Altrincham
Alsager Town v Hyde United


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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