DEVA NEWS
DEVA DIARY
FIXTURES AND STATS
MATCH REPORTS
DEVA STADIUM
PLAYERS
EXILES, ISA, TRAVEL GUIDE
CLUB HISTORY
WALLPAPER, LINKS,  SITE MAP
Back Home
CLUB HISTORY
History | Fixtures 1885-2007 | Honours | Records | Colours | Where Are They Now? | Programmes | Miscellaneous | Latest Articles
15.WHAT HAPPENED TO...

Continuing our look at the whereabouts of last seasons players:

Mickey BrownWinger Mickey Brown (pic left) played for both Chester and todays opponents Shrewsbury Town. He reached near legendary status at the Shropshire club having scored the goal that temporarily kept them in the Football League, at the expense of Chester, back in 2000. Mickey holds the record for most appearances for Shrewsbury having made 418 in three separate spells at the club. He also played League football for Preston, Bolton and Rochdale and always seemed to reserve his best performances when City were the opponents. During the summer of 2002 Mark Wright signed him from Shrewsbury and he made his debut as a substitute in last seasons opener against Kettering Town. In fact Mickey spent most of his City career on the bench and started only 6 Conference games but came on as a substitute on 17 occasions when his pace and trickery was often an asset against tiring defenders. He made his final appearance, as a substitute, against Forest Green in February and followed former chief scout, Alan Lewer, to Nuneaton the following month. He featured in 10 games for Nuneaton, including the fixture against Chester at Manor Park, and is still with them at the start of this season.

Jon WorsnopGoalkeeper Jon Worsnop (pic right) signed for Chester at the start of last season on a one year contract from Bradford City. Having failed to make the first team at Valley Parade he found himself a regular in the reserve team at the Deva and made just one Conference appearance, in the penultimate game of the season at Nuneaton. Jon was released during the summer and is now with Aberystwyth Town in the League of Wales.

Another goalkeeper released at the end of last season was youth team keeper Louis Macken who also made just one first team appearance, back in 2000/01, when Graham Barrow was manager. Louis graduated through the youth team ranks at the Deva and made his sole appearance in the Nationwide Variety Trophy (remember that?) on a bitterly cold night at Hednesford. The much postponed game was eventually played in front of only 147 fans in December and Louis was on the bench as Michael Price, on trial from Aston Villa, started his only game for the club. An injury to Price gave 16 year old Louis a surprise debut and he didn’t let himself down as City came away with a 3-1 victory after extra time. Like Jon Worsnop, he was released during the summer and featured in pre-season friendlies for League of Wales side, Caernarfon Town.

Gareth Grant made only one senior appearance for City, in the Cheshire Senior Cup at Cheadle Town. On that occasion he scored two of the goals in a 4-1 victory but left the club shortly afterwards. Gareth had started his career at Bradford City where he made 24 appearances and scored one goal between 1997 and 2002. Gareth also spent some time on loan with Halifax Town, Bolton Wanderers and Lincoln City. He was released by Bradford during summer 2002 and featured for Chester in pre-season friendlies against Vauxhall Motors and Liverpool. After leaving Chester, in November, he resurfaced at Gainsborough Trinity (and Sunday league Leeds pub side Fforde Green!) where he is rebuilding his career and has attracted some attention with his speed and skill on the ball. At the age of 22, and with Premiership experience behind him, there is still a possibility that he could make a career in professional football and there was talk of a pre-season trial with Nottingham Forest during the summer.
Chas Sumner [Published 26/08/03]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 1997-2008 Steve Mansley | User Stats | Technical | Webmaster
Back | Top

 

search this site»
email this page
LATEST NEWS
GAME OFF
The away match at Leamington on Tuesday has been postponed.
more »
LAST MATCH
LATE BURKE GOAL SAVES BLUES
A late Harrison Burke equaliser rescues a point for Chester at Warrington.
more »
NEXT MATCH
BRACKLEY
Chester travel to Brackley Town on Saturday, kick-off 15.00hrs.
Fixtures
League table
Chester weather
 
CLUB HISTORY
Everything you need to know about the club’s history, honours, records and kits. Complete list of fixtures from 1885 and much more.
more »
SUPPORTERS
EXILES BLOG
The Exiles have set up a blog to provide away match information and articles for Blues fans living away from Chester. You can read it here
Exiles » | ISA »