Saturday 29 August 2009

Mick Wadsworth & Daryl Clare Interviews

Please find them attached on this link, couldn't resist it with Deadly Daryl...

http://www.natv.co.uk/

Chester City 0 Mansfield Town 1

Chester City remain rooted to the table on minus 24 points after they went down to an early goal at home to Mansfield Town today.

Rob Duffy's 2nd minute strike was enough to give the Stags the win that puts them into 2nd place in the Blue Square Premier League.

City's closest effort came from Lewis Alessandra, who smashed a shot against the post as the woodwork got in City's way for the second week running.

In truth, City could not find a way past Mansfield's stubborn, and strong defence, and despite the introduction of Gregg Blundell, could not get level.

There were also bookings for Nick Chadwick & Chris Lynch for City today.

It's four games now, and three defeats, with just the solitary point at Luton to show for the efforts, however the early fixtures have not been kind to the Blues, and many including myself will see the start of the season for real on Monday, when City make the short distance to Altrincham.

If the Blues can get a win from that game, they will then take on Histon & Gateshead at the Deva in successive games, and maybe, just maybe, they can get some kind of run going.

So defeat again then for the Blues, let's hope our fortunes change on Monday.

Friday 28 August 2009

Mystery surrounds Yantorno departure

Fabian Yantorno is to return to Uruguay in a bid to get fit - at least that's the news that the club have put out about the signing that Mick Wadsworth would light up the Blue Square premier League.

Several rumours are doing the rounds that Yantorno has in fact not received international clearance to play for the club, and also one that believes the Uruguayan has not been paid.

Wadsworth has said that the striker "needs his knee clearing out" and that he struggled after the Crewe game, in which he only played the last fifteen minutes, so disappointment then for City fans who had hoped to see him do some damage to the Conference teams, and not his own knee!

It's also a blow for City as he is likely to be away for 6-8 weeks according to the club.

Who'll have the Stag Party tomorrow then?

So, Chester have their second home game of the season tomorrow, and will bid to win their first game of their delayed season, which has seen them gain 1 point from 3 games.

City will no doubt have to stick with the same players that played last Saturday in the goalless draw at Luton Town, but will hopefully have gained a bit of confidence form that game.

It looks unlikely that both Gregg Blundell & Fabian Yantorno will be included, as they continue their comeback from injuries, but hopefully they will be in contention in the next couple of weeks.

As for Mansfield, they have been fairly free scoring so far, having won 4 of their opening 5 games, that defeat being at Luton. In those games however, they have netted 13 goals, with Rob Duffy, Kyle Perry, and Jake Speight all chipping with 3 goals apiece, and ex Chester striker Daryl Clare has also got in on the act too, grabbing 2 goals so far, they being penalties in the 4-1 win over Barrow.

Hopefully Chester will earn their first win of the season, as they continue to get match fit. The Blues are expected to start with Nick Chadwick & Lewis Alessandra starting up front.

Thursday 27 August 2009

Blues lose friendly, but Blundell back

Chester City lost their behind closed doors friendly against Crewe Alexandra 3-2 yesterday, although will be pleased that striker Gregg Blundell was back amongst the goals following his 20 minute appearance.

However, Manager Mick Wadsworth, still believes the striker is 3-4 games away from a return to action, which begs the question, why does it always seem to take longer for players at Chester to return from injury than any other club???

Blundell was alongside fellow injury victim Fabian Yantorno, who made a 5 minute appearance in the defeat, and hopefully he will see more action in future games, certainly Chester need him in the first team sooner rather than later.

City also fielded a South American striker, apparently recommended by Yantorno, and is believed to be from Argentina, although rumours of Lionel Messi have been quashed by City Officials, an insider said "We couldn't guarantee Messi a place in the starting eleven, so we had to turn down his application".

Glenn Rule & Shaun Kelly picked up injuries in the game, which is worrying as the Blues are of course back in action on Saturday at home to Mansfield, hopefully they are not too serious.

Tuesday 25 August 2009

Blundell & Yantorno set to return

Gregg Blundell & Fabian Yantorno will take a further step towards their first team return tomorrow night, when they entertain Crewe in a behind closed doors friendly.

Blundell has been out injured since signing for City, whilst Yantorno pulled up just after signing, meaning both players missed the start of the season.

The Blues are desperate to increase their options up front, and the return of both Blundell & Yantorno would certainly boost that situation. Currently Nick Chadwick & Lloyd Ellams have been running the front line for City.

Shaun Kelly, is also set to return in the friendly at the Deva tomorrow, and Chester could certainly do with the centre half returning to bolster a defence that despite conceding 8 goals in its first two games, managed a clean sheet at Luton.

Manager Mick Wadsworth is now urging Chester to gain "consistency" which he believes is the key, and that the standard has now been set following the performance at Kenilworth Road.

Chester City have been drawn against Nantwich Town in the Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup, the game will take place on Wednesday 9th September, which is a day after the first team take on Tamworth at the Deva Stadium.

Saturday 22 August 2009

Blues earn point at Luton in 0-0 draw


It's great to report tonight that Chester City are off the mark, and now sit on -24 points in the Blue Square Premier League table following their 0-0 draw at Luton Town, who before the game were joint leaders of the League.

City included defender Chris Lynch & midfielder Adam Kay in their line up after signing from Burnley yesterday.

The Blues almost snatched the lead when Nick Chadwick headed against the cross bar in the first half, but withstood pressure in the second half to take a point at Kenilworth Road.

Ben Wilkinson & Chris Lynch were both booked for the Blues, but other than that a good day for the City, which sees us get off the mark, hopefully we can now put in a strong performance next Saturday at home to Mansfield Town, who will include Chester legend, Daryl Clare.

Friday 21 August 2009

www.chestercitytv.co.uk launched!

Today, I launched a brand new website, ChesterCityTV, a site that you can view all kinds of CCFC footage - from the 1970's right up to the 2000's!

It's a site that I have created to capture all of the Chester City footage in a central location, and one which will hopefully take off as time goes by!

Please feel free to check out the site, and pass on to any friends or other Chester supporters that you know of - I really want to make this work!!!

www.chestercitytv.co.uk

Please also list your comments below once you have visited the site, as I value any kind of feedback.

Mannix & Harris Sacked

Chester City have terminated the contracts of both David Mannix & Jay Harris, who were involved in betting scandals last season.

The two former Accrington Stanley players have been given their marching orders, and will now face a battle to find other clubs to play for in the future once they have served their bans from the game.

Hopefully this means that Chester will now be able to strengthen the squad in key areas now, with 2 midfield places available in their absence.

City have signed centre back Chris Lynch and midfielder Adam Kay from Burnley arriving at the Deva in the new days also. Lynch, who is in his first year as a professional, stands at 6ft 3 and could fit in defence quite easily at present, considering it has shipped in 8 goals in it's first 2 games of the season, whilst Kay is in his second year in the game, and spent a spell at Accrington Stanley last season.

The two are expected to go straight into the squad that faces Luton Town at Kenilworth Road tomorrow afternoon.

Elsewhere, Chester have re-arranged their home game against Gateshead Town to Tuesday 15th September.

Thursday 20 August 2009

Oldham's Lewis Alessandra to rejoin Chester


Lewis Alessandra looks set to join Chester City once again on a month's loan from Oldham Athletic.

The Latics 20 year old striker initially joined City during the much fabled pre season campaign, and banged in two quality goals against Droylsden, and the behind closed doors friendly against Premier League newcomers Burnley, however Alessandra returned to Boundary Park following the unrest at the Deva Stadium.

The striker is expected to re-join City today and will more than likely partner Nick Chadwick up front for Chester's daunting trip to Luton on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Mick Wadsworth has failed in his attempts to land Australian midfielder Erik Paartalu, who has decided to remain at his current club Greenock Morton, which just highlights the problem that Wadsworth has in luring players to a club that has been deducted 25 points and lost its first two games.

The addition of Alessandra though is an exciting one however, and hopefully if things work out, the loan period can be extended.

It will be interesting to see if the Football Association class this as their second loan of the season, or whether it falls into the same as the first as Oldham originally pulled back the striker.

Tuesday 18 August 2009

Oxford United 4 Chester City 0

Life just got a step worse at the Kassam Stadium tonight, as the Blues went down to another heavy defeat, this time being thumped 4-0 away to Oxford United.

For the second successive game, a forward on the opposing side notched a hat trick against a City defence which has now shipped 8 goals in its first two matches.

James Constable was the major difference between the sides tonight, as City crumbled to a second half hat trick from the United striker, whilst Matt Green scored the other goal, as Chester's hopes of taking anything out of this game disappeared 12 minutes after half time.

The Blues managed to frustrate Oxford United in the opening 45 minutes, and hopes were high amongst the City faithful that maybe a point, or even more, could be gained from the game.

But, just after half time those hopes were dashed as James Constable opened the scoring, and despite the introduction of midfielder James Owen (on for centre half Lloyd Ellams), Matt Green made it 2-0 just 10 minutes later. Constable then struck his second goal 6 minutes from time, and crowned his night by grabbing the hat trick on 90 minutes.

So, that was that as far as City's night was concerned - a big well done to the 131 Chester fans that braved the trip to Oxfordshire tonight - they deserve some credit for that!

Next up for City, it's Luton away, one look at the table shows that they are joint leaders, it just doesn't get any better does it??

After that, Mansfield Town at home, and the return of Daryl Clare, who scored twice tonight in their home game against Barrow.

Saturday 15 August 2009

Chester City 2 Cambridge United 4

Chester City finally kicked off their Blue Square Premier League season today, but sadly went down 4-2 at home to Cambridge Utd.

Ex Chester striker Chris Holroyd came back to haunt the Blues with a well taken hat trick, despite Chester taking a 2-0 lead.

Unbelievably, Chester opened the scoring within the first 20 seconds, through new signing Ben Wilkinson, son of ex Leeds & England manager, Howard Wilkinson.

Ex Everton striker Nick Chadwick netted the second goal on 19 minutes having come on as sub for the injured Anthony Barry, having seized on a poor back pass from ex City defender Wayne Hatswell, and Chadwick, who had only signed on for a year on Friday afternoon, shaped himself, and finished off nicely to give the Blues a 2 goal cushion.

It wasn't enough however, as the tide turned just before half time, when Cambridge were awarded a straight forward penalty, and Holroyd smashed it home, then just a minute later midfielder Robbie Willmott struck a deflected free kick past John Danby in the Chester goal to make it 2-2 in first half stoppage time.

In the second half, Cambridge took control, and Holroyd was again on the mark after 74 minutes with a fine bicycle kick following a perfect cross from former Tranmere winger Andy Parkinson.

Holroyd completed his hat trick, with a tap in on 89 minutes, which condemned City to their opening day defeat to the U's.

So, the first match is out of the way, but plenty of positives to take from the game, as City dominated the first half, but thanks to a lack of concentration, ended up going in level when it should have been 2-0 at half time.

Elsewhere on the pitch, Neil Ashton, signed from Shrewsbury, looked half decent, and up front Lloyd Ellams put in a good performance.

So, it's Oxford away next on Tuesday night.

Thursday 13 August 2009

City are back in!

The Football Association have granted Chester City the licence to play football!

The news has just broken that the FA insisted that the Conference had broken it's own rules by getting Chester City to accept a further 15 point deduction, and that is why affiliation was not forthcoming.

It now means that the Blues will play Cambridge United on Saturday at the Deva Stadium, in what should have been City's third game of the new campaign.

There is now relief all round, but now the battle to find a suitable owner begins for the bulk of Chester fans.

Wednesday 12 August 2009

Chester fans to show they care

Tonight at the Deva Stadium, Chester City fans are expected to show up in their numbers in a bid to show the national media that they want the FA to give Chester City the chance to play football.

Currently the club has not been granted affiliation to the FA, and time is desperately against the club now if they are to avoid being thrown out of the Conference, and even worse..folding.

Blues fans will be making their case heard tonight at the Deva in front of several media men that have been invited to the ground by a Chester City fan, who like others, is desperate to see her club given the all important go ahead from the FA, who are due to meet with the Football Conference tomorrow.

It's a big week for Blues fans, and some of which kicked off their protests last night at the Deva Stadium, in a bid to make their feelings about current owner Stephen Vaughan known.

Hopefully tonight, the media will take note of City's plight, and try to influence the FA to allow the Blues to take part in this season's Blue Square Premier League.

Monday 10 August 2009

Now Gateshead game is off

The Football Association have now forced Chester City to cancel their game at home to Gateshead Town tomorrow night.

The Football Conference were also under orders to ensure that the game was postponed, as the FA have yet to grant the Blues affiliation to their organisation.

Earlier in the day, the Football Conference clubs had voted unanimously in favour of letting Chester City take part in the Blues Square Premier League, but this seems to have been just a flimsy exercise that the FA hoped one club would say "No" and the matter would be settled, Chester City would not be allowed in.

Thankfully not one BSP club wants to kill off Chester City, and the FA are beginning to come in for more criticism as they constantly refuse to say exactly what the stumbling blocks are.

So, the saga rumbles on again, and now Chester must wait until Thursday for the Conference & the FA to meet in what is scheduled to be the meeting to end the issue.

City's next game is at home to Cambridge on Saturday.

The club have issued a rather large statement, with Stephen Vaughan building himself up to be something he'snot - a hero. The statement is here.

Sunday 9 August 2009

Conference Clubs now vote on Chester's future

In the last few days, Chester City fans have seen their emotions literally go on a roller coaster ride, at the beginning of last week, the Club were relying on Solicitors & Refresh Recovery to get the Club's paperwork in order with the Football Association to get their licence to play football.

This was not achieved.

Then on Thursday, a deal was struck where Chester would accept a 25 point penalty to begin the season with. So football was the subject of fans talk once again, and who would be playing in the first game at Grays.

A deal was struck - or so we thought.

On Friday, it was then revealed that the FA had ordered the conference to postpone the game or face being in breach of the rules, and so the Conference bowed to the demands, and called off Chester's opener.

Over the weekend, we have now heard that the Conference have been asked by the FA to canvass each Blue Square Premier League club to see if they want Chester City to take part, and have demanded that anything but a unanimous vote will see the Blues kicked out of the BSP.

Early indications show that Chester have the support of the Conference clubs, and hopefully this will be confirmed by the Conference tomorrow morning, after the 10am deadline.

It also looks likely that the Gateshead match will be called off tomorrow, unless the FA seem happy to grant City with that much needed licence to play the game of football.

The saga continues into another week then.

The 40% were right then!

Following the poll that asked if Chester City would start the Blue Square Premier League season on August 8th, showed that 60% believed they would, with the other 40% saying they wouldn't.

Unfortunately it was the 40% who were correct in assuming that the Blues wouldn't make their second bow in the Conference on August 8th, thanks to the lack of ratification from the FA.

Friday 7 August 2009

Just when you thought it was safe...

It's all changed again!

Just when we thought we'd got some football to look forward to, the Conference have now postponed our match tomorrow against Grays.

This is down to the FA stating that they believe the Conference will break the rules if the game goes ahead, and so a statement followed confirming the cancellation. They have also yet to validate the 25 point deduction handed out by the Football Conference.

This has thrown everything into doubt again, as its clear that Stephen Vaughan has not yet satisfied the FA that the club is in the right hands.

This is a massive blow to all Blues fans, who just want to see the team in action.

Gutted.

What next?

The season starts tomorrow at Grays

Now that Chester have finally been given permission to start the season in the Blue Square Premier League tomorrow at Grays, it's all eyes on the squad, to see what Chester can offer in their match against their opponents.

To be honest, there isn't a great deal of depth to the squad right now, but City are expected to include Michael Lea, the former Man Utd defender, who did well at Scunthorpe, and Tim Ryan, the former Doncaster Rovers defender who is the son of chairman John Ryan.

It looks as though the Blues will be without new Uruguayan signing Fabian Yantorno, and Gregg Blundell, who is back at Chester following his transfer from Darlington.

John Danby will start in goal for City, it was a major surprise to see Danby stay at the Deva following his excellent League performances, but it was a relief for Chester fans when he committed to a new deal at the club.

One signing that is expected to excite the fans is Lewis Alessandra, who has bagged two goals in his two pre-season games in a City shirt, so hopefully he can continue that kind of form, following the news today that he has signed on a month's loan from Oldham Athletic.

Hopefully City can get off to a winning start, and see themselves as -22 points come Saturday night!

Thursday 6 August 2009

Blues in 25 point deduction

It's now confirmed that Chester City will start next season with a 25 point deduction.

Sky Sports News first reported the details close to 6pm, and now the Football Conference have released a statement stating the same.

This enables the club to start the Blue Square Premier League season at Grays Athletic on Saturday.

5pm passes without an announcement

the fans were told that an announcement would be made within 48 hours on Monday, and that went past without comment or any statement from the official lines, it took a phone call to the club to actually find out when an announcement was going to be made.

That was supposed to be this morning, then we were advised that it would be 5pm today, and here we are with nothing coming out from any of the parties.

They really are screwing with our emotions right now.

Still in business?

Chester City may still be in business, but with a hefty points deduction to take forward into the Conference season, which will make Manager Mick Wadsworth's task to keep City from relegation almost impossible.

It is not confirmed yet, but City are expected to accept this penalty, which will enable them to continue playing football at least.

The FA are expected to make a decision, along with the Football Conference later this morning.

Wednesday 5 August 2009

Decision tomorrow say Club

Having contacted the club in the absence of a statement, they advised that a decision is set to be made tomorrow morning by the FA.

Once again we are kept waiting as the club remain in limbo, but I find it absolutely shocking that I needed to make a phone call to find out what's going on, rather than an official press release from the club - but then, that probably displays the amateurish approach that they have taken recently.

The official website is a load of bollocks, and is hardly ever updated, and when it is it's so poorly typed up and displayed, it beggars belief that we were once a proud club.

Tomorrow morning then.

Conference yet to reach a decision

Upon contact with the Football Conference, they have just made this statement:

"No decision has been made, but we are endeavouring to make a decision by 5pm tonight"

The clock is ticking, this is it...

All Chester fans sweating on outcome

So, nearly 48 hours ago we were told that Chester City would come out with a statement concerning the future of the club, and here we are 41 hours after that statement still waiting for the news of our beleagured club, and if we have a club to support next season or not.

Time is running out on Chester City FC, and all fans of the Club are now getting desperate to hear what will become of our club, is this the end?

The clock is ticking.

Tuesday 4 August 2009

The dust has settled...for now!

After an agonising day & evening awaiting a decision as to the club's future, we finally found out at 7.30pm that City were going to issue a statement within 48 hours about their future.

So, lots of worrying thoughts set in that this was it, I'm going to lose the club I've supported as a boy - now I've woke up and done a morning's work, I feel a whole lot worse, could this really be the end?

The questions are of course, do the FA and the Conference already know what the outcome is? If they do, they have not given any hint as to what the score is, Stephen Vaughan has advised that the talks were "frank & constructive" - let's hope that Vaughan has answered all the questions that the FA & Conference threw at him, as he is playing with our club.

It's going to be a tough time waiting again now for what will be surely be the final decision set by the FA.

I just hope it's not the final nail in Chester City FC's coffin.

Monday 3 August 2009

Stay of Execution for City

Chester City have been given a 2 day stay of execution by the FA & Football Conference.

According to Stephen Vaughan, the club have submitted a new proposal as to how they will manage the financial commitments in the forthcoming season, however the licence has still not been granted whilst the FA cast their eyes over the proposal.

It's a body blow to us Blues who really want to see the lads in action on Saturday in the Blue Square Premier League, and another 2 days of worry are ahead, whilst we await the ratification or rejection from the footballing authorities.

I feel physically sick at the prospect of losing my club in the next 48 hours, so hope and pray that the decision is in favour of the Blues.

Sunday 2 August 2009

Droylsden 0 Chester City 1

Finally, Chester got to play some football at the weekend, thanks to the FA giving the go ahead for a special match, a charity game, in memory of Neil "Tony" Downes, who was tragically killed in action, whilst serving in the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, in Afghanistan.

City came away from the game with a 1-0 victory thanks to a first half goal from Lewis Allesandra, who is on loan from Oldham Athletic.

Chester played a few of their new signings, including Michael Lea, Glyn Hurst, and Ben Wilkinson, but were without Greg Blundell, Tim Ryan, and Uruguyan signing Fabian Yantorno.

You can see footage of Chester lifting the cup - and you don't say that too often - here

So, that's a total of 2 games played in pre season now, following the 3-1 win over Connahs Quay Nomads a few weeks ago up at Holywell.

Big day tomorrow for City, as we find out if the Football Conference will accept us into the Blue Square Premier League once again.