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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

Dean Spink	Michael Rose	Steve Rose	Mick O'Brien	Brett Baxter

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 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.