tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669445265020597972024-03-05T19:34:18.848+00:00Chester FCTime to talk about all things Blue and White!Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-7530112632994264802019-08-09T08:29:00.000+01:002019-08-09T08:38:35.703+01:00What a finish!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0D68QV1f0VzjAqxdm1p3CMXq-bCWsA6GNSiPX586CNOUh4ydiDBjLxETaUWhwgEN_nlc9oZ5y-GNdYOoiKHtmGy_rhp4GXb1ZOW_VCH6KN-XeI8eBdu8YRSLExm_gLqV33fwXiVg4q4w/s1600/20190806_211152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1600" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0D68QV1f0VzjAqxdm1p3CMXq-bCWsA6GNSiPX586CNOUh4ydiDBjLxETaUWhwgEN_nlc9oZ5y-GNdYOoiKHtmGy_rhp4GXb1ZOW_VCH6KN-XeI8eBdu8YRSLExm_gLqV33fwXiVg4q4w/s320/20190806_211152.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Well, well. What a cracking finish to the game on Tuesday night that was.<br />
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Nothing is better than a last minute or injury time goal for your side, well okay maybe a winner but certainly the pulses were racing when Gary Roberts had that dig at goal in the 93rd minute at the Deva and set everyone bouncing around like madmen. That's what football does to you sometimes, and when it happens its shear ecstasy.<br />
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Okay so we didn't win the game but we remain unbeaten in our opening 2 games in the national league north, and deservedly so.<br />
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An away trip to Boston followed by a home match against Altrincham wasn't exactly the start we'd have wanted but that's what we were given, and even though we haven't come away with wins from either of those games, I feel that they were 2 very tricky games and to come away with positive results from both can only serve us well.<br />
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Talking to fans in the Blues Bar after the game, we all felt we deserved something from the game and had built a platform from which to build from. It's going to be a long year, and nobody ever wins anything after two games do they??<br />
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As soon as that goal hit the back of the net at around 9.30pm on Tuesday, pre season was forgotten in an instant, and it felt like this was the moment we would push forward.<br />
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A defeat would have been hard to take, but We avoided that and instead saw everyone go home reasonably happy that we'd rescued a point and now attentions turned to Saturday's home game against Farsley Celtic, and hopefully we can bag 3 points against a team who have gained 4 points thanks to impressive results against Darlington and York respectively.<br />
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If we win Saturday we go onto 5 points from 3 games, that's a great start if it happens and with 2 winnable games in the following week who knows where we'll be at the end of it.<br />
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Off the pitch, it was great to see the club shop buzzing with activity pre match, and this probably explained why at 7.38pm in the safety room I was looking disappointed at a turnstile counter showing 1500 fans inside the Deva. I would've been gutted had we not achieved over 2000 fans at the first home game. My fears were soon put beside when I heard we had climbed over 2100 which was music to my ears.<br />
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Also pleasing to note was the fact that 8 schools had taken up the season pass that was recently issued. You may think 8 is a low number but you know We weren't expecting any schools to take advantage of the season pass until they are all back in September so this was great to hear. With that last minute goal hopefully the recipients will be back again for more exciting action at the Deva.<br />
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I think that was the loudest I've heard the fans inside the ground since about 5 years ago and just shows what belief can bring you.<br />
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Elsewhere inside the ground on Tuesday, I was on boardroom duty so had to look after the Altrincham directors, who were a really nice bunch of people to be fair, and I look forward to the return visit at Moss Lane.<br />
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It was also great to see our volunteers in action again, the likes of Paul Bodman hosting the Legends Lounge. Paul does a cracking job up there on matchdays and I know all the sponsors really appreciate what he does up there. It's not easy but Paul Just does a brilliant job in getting everyone excited about the game.<br />
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And so, we got the point from the match. Let's hope we can go on to claim all 3 points from Saturday's game.<br />
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I'm more than gutted that I'm working on Saturday so won't get to see any of it, but will be pacing up and down the Big Yellow reception between 3 and 5pm just wondering how things are going, and celebrating every CFC goal on the day with several fist pumps!!<br />
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I'll leave it there for now, and Come on City!!<br />
<br />Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-31986378769031105922019-08-05T01:24:00.001+01:002019-08-09T08:30:08.255+01:00Good point!So, we're off and running on another season in the National League North, and this time a tricky trip to Boston United, and a creditable 1-1 draw to get us off the mark in terms of points.<br />
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There was an enormous amount of attention on our pre season build up, with the 4-1 loss at FC United being the main focus, but when did pre season ever determine how well you would do in a season? Answer, never.<br />
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As most would testify, it's all about getting the lads fit, working on formations and generally getting to know each other. The trip to Newquay will hopefully have benefitted the squad and management team too, especially given its the first time we as a reformed club have had a chance to do this in the summer.<br />
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We now turn our attentions to Tuesday night's match against Altrincham of course, who did a job on us twice last season. I still remember us getting torn to pieces at their place last season in the drubbing and hopefully this week we'll be a lot more competitive than that. It will be difficult of course but let's hope we can grab those 3 points and give ourselves a cracking start to this campaign.<br />
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Promotion is of course the aim this season, whether it be automatic or via the play offs. A top 7 seven finish this season would of course be an improvement on last season's finish, anything less would really be a failure, but to achieve that we need everyone, and I mean everyone behind the club this season, and sticking with it when things don't go our way.<br />
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As a fan owned club we are prone to more criticism than most, but we also celebrate our successes more than most too, given the amount of challenges we overcome every single year.<br />
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I did an interview for a journalism student last week, not in the most glamorous of surroundings, sat in my nearly clapped out Citroen Saxo, with the windows up trying to block out any background noise, with the temperature about 25 degrees in the car, and all this on my lunch at work. So scene set, a really good question was put my way, do I think fan owned status can continue to work? Well in response to this I did say that whilst there are many challenges to our football club and the day to day running and general survival of it, you only need to look at the likes of Bolton and Bury to see what can happen very quickly and leave a club in the very balance, and all this under private ownership.<br />
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We'll never be perfect as a fan owned club, but what we do have is the destiny of it in our own hands. 10 years ago we nearly lost football in Chester for good, due to crazy mismanagement of the club we followed, the club that we sang our hearts out for for years on end, the club we would proudly don the Blue and White of, even if it was to the derision of those around us who support the likes of Liverpool, Man Utd, Man City (well maybe not so much in those days!!), and Everton. You almost felt embarrassed to support your local team, especially when they'd just been beaten 5-0 at home on opening day against Northhampton at Sealand Road, remember that? Yes it was the biggest anti climax to the first day of a season I can ever recall!!<br />
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But, we kept on supporting it, dreaming of better days, and they would come. That first 3 seasons after reforming were just brilliant, goal after goal, win after win, title after title, need I go on? Well yes, I will.<br />
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We had it good then, and significant challenges followed, we plateaued, and ran before we could walk really. We eventually dropped to the National League North and find ourselves trying to get back, and we will.<br />
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If I thought we couldn't then I would be on the board today. We have ambitions of getting back to the Football League. Of course it won't be easy, you only have to look at the money in our league now to know that. It's going to require a hell of a lot of graft, luck and effort to get there, but I firmly believe we can, and will do it.<br />
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Our management team are desperate to bring the success back for the fans, and the players know how important this club is to the fans. But we need to be together as one.<br />
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So let's all pull in the same direction this season, we have had a decent first game, getting a hard earned point on the board, so let's build on that. Even we don't win tomorrow night then you know what, we try harder next time, and continue to believe, but hopefully we can take the 3 points on offer and move on to Saturday.<br />
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Off the pitch we're trying to improve the matchday experience for all, and the Fan Engagement Working Group will be doing all we can to try and get people enjoying the matchday occasion once again. Keep your eyes out for some great theme days again this season.<br />
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As a board member, I know we're accountable to the members for guiding our football club forward, and treating it with the respect it deserves, so please give it the same respect and support it when things aren't going to plan and enjoy it when we get the success we all crave.<br />
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I hope those reading this understand where I'm coming from.<br />
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Getting back to Tuesday night, and the Altrincham match. I normally have my two young sons Alfie and Harry with me, but not tomorrow night. No, after a quick change after work and probably necking a Rustlers from the shop, it will be off down to the Deva for about 6pm as I'm on boardroom duty and looking after the Altrincham directors. I'm sure I'll have some banter with them.<br />
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I decided to resurrect this blog again for the umpteenth time, not sure how long I'll keep going this time, but if you enjoyed reading it then please let me know, it may just give me the inspiration to keep doing it!<br />
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Anyway, time now to say those immortal words... "Come On City!!"<br />
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BanksyBanksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-2752368440623012682018-02-18T23:01:00.004+00:002018-02-19T00:43:26.958+00:00The All Stars Match - How it came about...After that meeting of City Fans United members on that infamous Thursday night, I decided that I'd have to do something to help. It turns out that I'd return to the board to try and do something, just days later.<br />
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But before that, I asked myself what could I do to help to bring funds in. Various ideas went through my head and then I decided to call our Chester FC friend, Colin Murray, to see what we could come up to try and pull something out of the bag to raise money.<br />
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We had a chat on the Sunday morning whilst Sunday Brunch played on in the background, and whilst typically Alfie and Harry were at their loudest and I struggled to really hear myself think let alone what Colin was saying.<br />
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Anyway, we had a good chat, bounced some ideas between us, and then decided to catch up 24 hours later when Colin then informed me we were going to go for the All-stars game at the Deva. So then, the task began to get the game on in just 17 days!!<br />
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He told me Michael Owen was keen to help and would be playing, along with a number of ex pro's, amongst them was Chris Iwelumo. I did actually wonder if he would turn up for it given last season!!<br />
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Then it was about who they would face, so I thought the perfect team in opposition would be one managed by Neil Young, given what he achieved as our manager in the early years, and of course the first team would be in action just 2 days later so wouldn't have dreamed of asking Marcus Bignot to have this to deal with at the same time!.<br />
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What it did do of course was to allow fans the chance to say a final thanks to those players that excited us in our early years as I was sure Youngy would bring many of them.<br />
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What I did not realise was everything else needed to get the game on in such a short space of time. I have major big thanks to offer to Steve Povey, who spoke quickly to the police and council, to get us a green light to stage the game at the Deva.<br />
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Then next once that was sorted, was printing of tickets and before that of course is the designing of the tickets, and for that I've had tremendous help from Martin Huxley. I'm sure you know Martin well, he designed the club badge back in 2010, and how we all loved that badge when we saw it.<br />
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The printing of tickets was something I had no idea of how long the process would take but we really wanted to be able to sell them and so we made a decision to get them online to buy.<br />
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We didn't really have a clue how things would go, but we saw a steady start with about 50 tickets per day being sold to start with, then when we had them delivered to the club it changed to about 100 per day.<br />
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Colin always called each day to see how many had been sold, One day he thought he'd give my phone a break at ringing the club instead but guess what..I was at the club when he rang!!<br />
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We spent about a week trying to confirm more and more players, and most were coming back with a Yes, well the ex Chester lads were. I know Colin had asked the likes of Robbie Savage and Jimmy Bullard amongst many others but were unavailable for one reason or another.<br />
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Then, it was a case of arranging radio interviews as the big day got closer, and many late night conversations with Colin to see where we were up to and what we could do to take things to the next level.<br />
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Another major thing to take place in amongst all this was a call from Chester Racecourse who wanted to be involved in the game which was just fantastic. MBNA also wanted to get involved too, and the best thing was they wanted to work with each other as well as Chester FC, so it was good news all round.<br />
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So, thoughts turned to kits and how we could arrange something, and both Chester Racecourse and MBNA wanted to help on this, and a few days later we had kits for both sides. Big thanks to Jim Green of the Chester FC Community Trust for helping manage that side of things whilst I was stuck in work!<br />
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Every day leading up to the match I'd be on the phone to Jackie Olorenshaw at Chester FC who was looking after hospitality and I was delighted when 3 sponsors came forward to get involved too. Just brilliant. Things were falling into place.<br />
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Next up, officials for the match and big thanks to Calvin Hughes for his help with this.<br />
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I did receive a blow however that Neil Young wouldn't be able to make it for the full game due to the situation at Halifax and so we needed a plan b. I needn't have worried...<br />
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Reason being, on one of my many phone calls with Colin, this one took place as soon as I'd walked through the door at home just in from work when he called, and said we, meaning Chester Select, had got a new manager in Kevin Ratcliffe!<br />
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Almost in the same breath, he told me that Ian Rush had confirmed, and that Kev had decided he couldn't manage a team with Rush and Owen in, so decided he wanted to be part of the Chester management set up instead!<br />
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Colin was going to do a piece on radio Merseyside about the game and would reveal the news about Rush on there too, so a bit of twitter work needed to build it all up!!<br />
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I then sent over a press release to the TV media about the inclusion of Rush and it's amazing to see how much pull he still has after all these years!<br />
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BBC, Granada, and Sky Sports all wanted to come down on the night of the game on the back of that press release, and with the help of Michelle Owen from Sky Sports - who would go on to play in the all stars match, helped with this too!<br />
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So, the night before the game, I spent many hours making sure everything was covered for the Big night. Think it was 2.30am when the pc was shut down, lots to sort. .<br />
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I'll leave it there for now, and will talk about matchday on the next blog!<br />
<br />Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-85238695705117826682018-02-04T10:19:00.001+00:002018-02-04T12:21:43.028+00:00What a difference a week makes!Well that was certainly an interesting week in the life of a Chester fan wasn't it?!?<br />
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The City Fans United meeting at the club a week ago Thursday was surely one of the most uncomfortable to sit through and listen to where we were right now.<br />
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An immediate target of £50k was set to help the club stay afloat as under current projections the club would run out of cash by March, which was of course the month back in 2010 that the former club went into liquidation in the High Court.<br />
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The alarm bells were certainly ringing louder than ever. The first half of that meeting was all about what had happened, and how it had happened. The inquest.<br />
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The second half of that meeting was how things could be put right, and that was the most important part of the meeting as if we couldn't identify that, then there would be club in the very near future.<br />
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The feeling inside the Blues Bar come the end of the night was a feeling of shock at what had come out in that meeting, but also of the will to come together and fight as one for our club to survive.<br />
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3 nights later and a meeting at the ground with the existing board members, and by the end of it I had rejoined the board. Reason being I couldn't stand back and let my club go through the most critical phase of its last 8 years, without trying to do my bit for it again.<br />
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Biggest challenge for me is to ensure my family life do not suffer from my rejoining of the board. Football has to come second sometimes!! I stepped down from the board 4 years ago as the first of my two boys were born, now I have two 3 and 2 year old boys who demand all the time in the world from both me and especially my wife. Every family will know the demands kids of young ages possess and we're no different.<br />
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So, with that in mind, the first few weeks are going to be very hard, but this time the club now has a great media team that we set up previously where as 8 years ago everything needed doing on that side of the club!<br />
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Since rejoining last Monday night, we've tried to have a positive impact as possible out there and we're certainly seeing everyone pulling together. The youth match was something special, where else would you have seen this happen!? The Chester family came together and raised nearly double the money that would've come through from the first two home now league games of the season. Amazing.<br />
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The challenge of course now is to keep that intensity up and not just raise the £50k required immediately, but also to look at building the reserve of £100k up again whilst the club looks after itself. It feels very different this time, the will is out there to ensure that we do not end up in this situation again.<br />
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Last time we knew what we were up against, it was one family hurting us, but we battled that and delivered a club we could all be proud of. Along the way we've lost what that club was all about, but we've been given a chance to restore all that we believed in, so we WILL turn this around.<br />
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We just need everyone to be with us every step of the way, and I thank everyone now for their help that they have shown so far but also in advance as your help and support, and involvement is needed right from the off.<br />
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Thanks, JeffBanksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-21997272746814273812018-01-21T00:14:00.000+00:002018-01-21T00:29:52.489+00:00We need ideas. This is an old one of mine. The 250 ClubOkay.<br />
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It's been a long day. Chester have blown what looks like a chance to at least give themselves a fighting chance of staying up this season so it looks like a case of preparing for next season in the National League North unless something dramatic happens in the next 3 months.<br />
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So, after a night of thinking about all of this and being in the main depressed about the whole thing, we need to think about how we can help our club. So my challenge to all Chester fans is think of an idea that can benefit our club for next season and beyond.<br />
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Here's mine. Now this is something that I put together in a few minutes. I've always believed in getting families back in to our club. The task 8 years ago was to see more fans in Chester shirts than the usual Man Utd and Liverpool shirts that you'd tend to see around town. Now we need those families back so that we get new Chester fans of the future. Where am I going with this? Read on...<br />
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Many businesses can help...<br />
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<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-5e9d86c8-1603-6058-3923-31c2edd7b1ea" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">250 Club (this was suggested about 18 months ago to the club)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Plan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">To create a business club with a minimum 250 businesses that commit to a figure of £250 that gives them corporate CFU membership for 5 years, raising £62,500 for CFU.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Aim.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">250 businesses sign up to help promote the fact that Chester FC is a fan owned club for the community of Chester and the surrounding areas to become involved in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Benefits.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Each business that signs up by paying £250 to CFU corporate will each receive 4 family tickets (value £168). If they then refer another 5 businesses they'll receive a further 2 family tickets (value £84).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Social media mentions for all taking part </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Each month, a CFU Corporate members draw would take place, to include:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Directors Row tickets</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Signed ball or shirt</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Directors Experience</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Attend training session with pictures with players and manager</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">£25 voucher to spend in club shop</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Website article</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Match programme article</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Stadium tour</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">1 free hire of the Legends Lounge for business meeting</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Business of the month title</span></div>
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</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Sums.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">250 x £250 = £62500 for CFU</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Options from here.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">£12,500 could be set aside for one match in the season to be £1 entry for all, based on fans picking up 10 tokens from games in the first half of the season. Season Ticket holders to have this included as their free matches allocation.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">The club could then take a minimum £3000 based on a 4000 attendance (taking into consideration 1000 season ticket holders).</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Objective being to reward those who pay on the day fans who have watched the club in the first half of the season, with a Match for a Quid in the second half of the season.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">What if the 250 Club exceeds 250 members?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Simple. It's still the 250 Club. The more the better and it can grow organically. For every additional 100 businesses that join the club, the original 250 get an additional family ticket.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">The idea is for businesses to receive the family tickets to then pass on to encourage new people down to the match, maybe via an in house competition, or for them simply to reward excellence at work. With it being a family ticket, they could then bring children to the game too, which would potentially increase the number of young children attending the games.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">I really believe that there are businesses out there who are run by fans like you and me and are happy enough to put £250 in to the club and help where they can.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">The benefits are not set in stone, they are just ideas, but ideas that don't cost anything.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Thoughts?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">What would be your idea and could it help raise instant funds for the club as that's what it will need.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Now, the club under the stewardship of Mark Maguire has said a 100 club was ready to be launched with an initial target to hit to see a budget being hit. I believe we can do even better with a more affordable option for small and medium businesses out there. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Question is, as a business, would you pledge to pay £250 based on the above?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Thanks Jeff </span></span></div>
Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-6842123833554426842018-01-14T23:06:00.000+00:002018-01-14T23:06:21.440+00:00Our Club Needs You!<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-5e9d86c8-f6ea-22cb-5e4a-bda45e2b0363" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Our club is in trouble. It needs you.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">This is not the same rallying call as the one 8 years ago, when the club was dying, when the club was being ripped apart at the seams by a chairman that just had one aim for the club at the time. Death.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">No, this is different. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Chester FC is owned by the fans, and when it's in trouble it needs it's fans to help it. The same way the fans looked after it just 8 years ago when it was guided through the choppiest waters imaginable. The waters that would see us lose our club as we knew it. But the waters would also see a new beginning. A beginning that saw the fans fight for their club. Even the FA tried and failed to relegate us to a lower level than we deserved </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">We fought that battle...and won. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Now we have a new battle. A battle to keep ourselves in the National League. Sure we've had this kind of battle before over the last few seasons, but this time it's different. We seem to have lost our way. But we need to work together to give us the best possible chance to win this battle.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">If we get relegated, then so be it. But let's not give in. Remember it won't be the end of our club if we go down. It will feel like it though I'm sure.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">There are still points to play for. Many points. Yes it's up to the management and players to deliver points but it's also the fans responsibility to deliver what we can to help the club in its hour of need.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">We all want the best for Chester FC no matter what your viewpoint. We have experienced a good few years of that in the last decade but now when the chips are down the club needs us not to turn our backs on it but to rally around it.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">The meetings in the Guild Hall proved that the fans loved their club and would do anything to get it back off it's knees when the worst happened, and now those same fans, and new fans can play a part too…</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Some may be disenchanted with our position right now. But we have a club worth fighting for, there is no doubt about that. So let's do something about it.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">So ask yourself, what can I do to help my club?</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Can you bring someone new to the ground to home games to help swell the attendances and bring much needed revenue into the club?</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Can you help by volunteering for the club you love?</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">What was that song lyric? When the going gets tough, the tough get going.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">It's easy to moan. We all do that. It's easy to do it too.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">But think to yourself, what good am I doing by moaning? Is it helping the club? No. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">One thing you can do that's absolutely free to do is to spread the word about our upcoming matches. It's simple, just do it. And the other thing? Back the lads from the first whistle to the last. You'd be amazed at how much of a difference this can make.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">We've had bad times on the pitch before, and no doubt we'll have them again, but let's just try this time to make a difference yeah?</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Relegation. What does it mean for Chester FC?</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Well for a start, we're probably likely to have a playing budget in the bottom half of the National League North. That's fact. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">There are 8 full time clubs in the National League North. For those who think “Well we'll be okay, we can just win the league and come back stronger’ need a reality check. Have a look at the teams, and the well financed clubs in that league right now. Hands on heart, where do you think we'd come in that league?</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Our club needs it's fans most right now. If we can stay up then some may say it is just a stay of execution. I personally believe it gives us a chance to do things better next year.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">We have proved our worth to the national league over the last few years. We've done things the right way. Paid our bills when some others haven't, and despite what some may think we've made massive strides off the pitch on the community side of the club. Some things really need to be celebrated at our club but some choose to side on the negative instead. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">There is a lot of work to be done that's for sure, but only we can help. There is no sugar daddy to make things right with the click of a finger. They'd have shown their hands by now wouldn't they? It didn't exactly work out well last time either did it???</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">What we need right now is a concerted effort by every fan who loves Chester FC to really think about what they want for our club. Do they want to fight for the cause or accept defeat? I know where I sit.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">So, I ask all Chester fans to really rally now and give everything they've got for our club. Nobody else is going to do it for us so it's up to us.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Fight until it's mathematically impossible to stay up. And even if that does end up being the case then think what can I do to help next season to put things right.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Whatever happens at the end of April will not see the end of our club. It will be a setback if it happens, of course it will. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">But we will fight on.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Thanks for reading.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Chester Forever </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Banksy </span></div>
<br />Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-50258016016914118302012-03-10T00:01:00.001+00:002012-03-10T00:01:44.859+00:00Two Years On...The Dream Is Still Alive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbTzussmwWqR4dXmQtyMfiDE5zqUDcKWRW2Gxpxa1_fTxHoTgZLPVl60arlGxxJj_CV_BJVKHrEungPuLvduVBly1RTIXAjXtFZqwK1tcRA70RDrgWfCalvTFuD1D9VKyUnpbqiFSeEU/s1600/4-727560F6-1422388-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbTzussmwWqR4dXmQtyMfiDE5zqUDcKWRW2Gxpxa1_fTxHoTgZLPVl60arlGxxJj_CV_BJVKHrEungPuLvduVBly1RTIXAjXtFZqwK1tcRA70RDrgWfCalvTFuD1D9VKyUnpbqiFSeEU/s400/4-727560F6-1422388-800.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">March 10<sup>th</sup>, 2010, was a horrible day for Chester City fans – make no mistake about that. The end of the Club they had supported for years, decades, many heading towards a century, but in one fell swoop the Club they had followed collectively since 1885 was shut down, thanks to one unpaid tax bill hearing at the High Court.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The problems of course had surfaced long before that unpaid tax bill, with a whole plethora of problems at the football club we had put so many years of effort and support into.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">It was a black day in the history of the Club.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpbaYSONTEg_BvyIvt8rzb72s6tYeeV_sEh4_QCRQFSzXLTxDmq9Furcy1xberZdVayPEumB7UvtzrfyovsvQRYR6O8ye8xwYo_3G-QLra4MXgK6O32fZFCFSBsK25KShZk0DOoGNxhA/s1600/parade23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpbaYSONTEg_BvyIvt8rzb72s6tYeeV_sEh4_QCRQFSzXLTxDmq9Furcy1xberZdVayPEumB7UvtzrfyovsvQRYR6O8ye8xwYo_3G-QLra4MXgK6O32fZFCFSBsK25KShZk0DOoGNxhA/s320/parade23.JPG" width="320" /></a>It was however, also the dawn of a brand new and brighter era for the fans. Knowing that the support was out there from not just our own fans, but fans from other clubs up and down the country gave hope and inspiration to those who dared to dream of a better future for football in Chester.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Who would have thought that the days of being embarrassed to wear the blue and white striped shirts around the City would turn completely on its head and become a ‘cool’ trend amongst kids and adults alike to be seen in their tops around the historic City of ours.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Who would have thought that the fans who met in ‘Bingo halls’ as some said, would go on to deliver a Club that actually embraced the Community, and gaining supporters – some who had never been down to the Deva Stadium before – and many who returned for the new era, convinced that this was a new dawn for the Club.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Who would have believed that we would see such a great standard of football at the level we were faced with playing, and enjoyable trips to grounds around the North West of England, and some beyond that perimeter.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Who would have thought that we’d be appearing on national radio as proof that a club can prosper despite being effectively knifed through the heart by its previous owners in its previous form?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOYtb_OQOPA7bw2K5oe34hQsw4ngFsanQwpMROI538QLZGHft5c5nlfN0w-a9ZodOSxT3VFEq-wNUSDSL9Frn-sIvqCrFjvOOcjpKb5QdFInGAn50a3y2w4_01uE3ytY8gf0SvYdJ3B4/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOYtb_OQOPA7bw2K5oe34hQsw4ngFsanQwpMROI538QLZGHft5c5nlfN0w-a9ZodOSxT3VFEq-wNUSDSL9Frn-sIvqCrFjvOOcjpKb5QdFInGAn50a3y2w4_01uE3ytY8gf0SvYdJ3B4/s320/IMG_0174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Who would have believed that a Club could be pulled together in just 12 weeks and that the Club would win silverware in its first season as a reformed club. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The fact is that the fans did believe that this was possible, and this is only the start of the journey to get to the Promised Land… the Football League.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Those fans, the 2000 odd owners of Chester Football Club, the 500 Junior Blues, the 3500 that turned up for the Nantwich game in 2012, the 4000 Twitter followers, the 5000 weekly visitors to the Club’s Facebook page, and the 20,000 monthly unique visitors to the Club’s website, believe that Chester FC is part of their lives, and how right they are.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Chester FC is now in our hearts and in our soul (apologies Everton fans!), but then again, it always was, and that is why it was worth fighting for in the first place. The Club was on its knees, desperate, looking for a lifeline, but cruelly denied it by one family in particular. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The Family that is the Chester Family stood up and were counted, and now that family is spreading the word throughout the Community, that their Club is alive and kicking, and on the way back – and how.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">We have a Manager that is totally dedicated to winning trophies and driving the Club forward, the board is totally dedicated to that too, and are doing things the right way, to ensure that nothing, I repeat nothing, puts the club’s future at risk.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrLtvazYs9UqOPEqDbm4RyqEKKMUXZjZV1ZTeCoGS3y_pBmyeqrr-K89IpgQyirdj9SboCNrtODTNVaPiSHdq9Sa15zjhiuUfuAQNOWxH6ixCGEcGZI42n7_A7bjhiSX0-_-3FD28DuA/s1600/cbCFC-46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrLtvazYs9UqOPEqDbm4RyqEKKMUXZjZV1ZTeCoGS3y_pBmyeqrr-K89IpgQyirdj9SboCNrtODTNVaPiSHdq9Sa15zjhiuUfuAQNOWxH6ixCGEcGZI42n7_A7bjhiSX0-_-3FD28DuA/s320/cbCFC-46.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">It has been a challenging two years alright, but look at how far we have come – from that first friendly at Colwyn Bay, where 1500 fans travelled to herald a new era, to the away match at Garforth last season where 2300 fans made the journey to Yorkshire to go through what can be described as a ‘unique’ experience to win a League at it’s first attempt.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">This season has seen no let up in the ambitions to get back to the first milestone, which is Conference football, and with five or six more wins, may actually leave the Evo-Stik League for the Conference League – where the old girl Chester City died.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Two years ago, we felt numb, gutted that it had come to losing our club, and yes we were a bunch of romantics who believed that we could do something about it, and thankfully we weren’t the only ones with the backing received at the Guild Hall in February & May 2010, and also at that very first home match against Trafford in September 2010. Then we knew that this was a dream that could come true.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBqrMSuR6EggE00q3pty3jghAOaEJX_HuPmQ0tOhWCk8RGnAv_LhSKCIWiAdsTX-lEFH57lEy27stDI520VTSftI2Tqeul-PFQoWkzMECnuqdrSp0BIEaCV5_nR6iw-A4xUrF9uARiuU/s1600/GarChamps-172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBqrMSuR6EggE00q3pty3jghAOaEJX_HuPmQ0tOhWCk8RGnAv_LhSKCIWiAdsTX-lEFH57lEy27stDI520VTSftI2Tqeul-PFQoWkzMECnuqdrSp0BIEaCV5_nR6iw-A4xUrF9uARiuU/s320/GarChamps-172.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The best thing in the two years for me, has been the smiles of the faces inside the ground, yes there are always debates about whether that player or this player should be in the starting eleven, or why we didn’t score 3 goals rather than 2, but isn’t it great to be talking about that rather than worrying where the next winding up order was coming from, or how much the next unpaid tax bill would be for?</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Football in Chester has changed forever, and if we keep doing what we’re doing, then it can only bode well for the Club’s future – especially with all the kids that are coming down to the ground now.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">If you haven’t got your little one signed up to the Junior Blues yet, then do it today, it’s a fantastic way to get our younger fans hooked on to Chester FC the way you were. If you haven’t joined or renewed your CFU membership yet, then do it today, this is YOUR club, and who else can claim to be owners of their football club for just a fiver??</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The nightmare of March 10<sup>th</sup>, 2010 happened, but so did the rising of the Phoenix on the same day, and the fire is still breathing now amongst every Chester fan, and long may it continue. We need to keep that fire alive, and everyone can play their part in doing so, so please keep it going, and help us prove to everyone that Chester FC are well and truly on their way back.</div><br />
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</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Chester Forever.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvGwSCjgrucongjhRjZV7mI9Jhckus07Zh6UqUgVUOB8KWv5MLc2lDbupQdtFWy5yvlz2lg0aCYqlbm8Cj8cxXR2eMoQoGOMY8ZZf9FUpXlt6H4DJg4gmfCX8ujHuH_Tvfy_U2n4jmK0/s1600/GarChamps-183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvGwSCjgrucongjhRjZV7mI9Jhckus07Zh6UqUgVUOB8KWv5MLc2lDbupQdtFWy5yvlz2lg0aCYqlbm8Cj8cxXR2eMoQoGOMY8ZZf9FUpXlt6H4DJg4gmfCX8ujHuH_Tvfy_U2n4jmK0/s320/GarChamps-183.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div>Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-32370948125602146512012-02-28T08:17:00.000+00:002012-02-28T08:17:36.823+00:00Chester FC on Radio 1 - Who would've thought it?Yes, I never really thought I'd see Chester FC & Radio 1 in the same sentence, but yesterday that actually happened, when an out of the blue (no pun intended) call came through from the Radio 1 Newsbeat team, who were looking to do a feature about the situation in football at present, notably at Portsmouth & Rangers, and wanted to see how a club can cope with going under, and if there is any way back.<br />
<br />
We have displayed at Chester FC that there is life after death, and that hope is never lost, despite having to go through what was a cruel, cruel death thanks to to one family's work, some may say we're better for it now, to be where we are now, although I would never agree with the sentiment 'It's the best thing to ever happen to us' - as I don't believe it was, if a person dies having been in pain, you wouldn't often say that it was 'the bets thing that ever happened to them' - you'd probably say that they were now in a better place - and that's the way I see things. <br />
<br />
March 10th 2010, was one of the hardest days to bear, knowing that our club would be wound up in the High Court, left a very bitter taste in the mouth with how Chester City FC had been destroyed, without any chance of saving it. Some fans from 12 miles up the road say how we let the club die unlike them when they put their money in to save the club - well it was a completely different situation. <br />
<br />
At Chester, the fact was that Vaughan wanted £750,000 - a little different than the £150k raised by Wrexham fans - there was no way he was going to see that back, no way at all. I even remember the argument I had with him over the phone at work on my lunch - stood up at my desk, for a solid hour, with him telling me that he deserved this money and that we could have the club as long as we took on the debt, which was mainly a claim of loans from himself. <br />
<br />
The Club was in a mess, and as we know, one that it would fail to recover from in the form of Chester City, and on March 10th, the message came through that it had gone, and for a moment a pause then the thought of 'this is it, this is where it all begins for real' and the process of building the club up again would start that very day, that Wednesday, in March.<br />
<br />
Of course a lot of work had already been done in the background, with the thought 'Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst' in mind - it had served us well to do just that, and from that moment on we never looked back, and have always tried to do the right thing - I say tried, as not everyone agrees with key decisions that are made, that's just human nature, if we all agreed it would be boring. One thing is for sure though, whatever steps we have taken to move the club forward have done just that, and we plough on trying to get back to the promised land of the football league.<br />
<br />
A good debate is where we'll think we have got back to where the club was when CCFC died that painful death. Is it when we get back to the Blue Square Prem, where the Club was sitting in minus points whilst the wreckage ensued all round it?<br />
<br />
Would it be when we get to the Blue Square North, as CCFC would obviously have been relegated in that final season had it lasted, or would it be the league we're now fighting to escape from as the Conference would have more than likely kicked CCFC out of both of their leagues given the issues they were presented with, so it could have been that the league we're in now is where CCFC would be today had it continued, so it could be argued that we're now at where the Club left off.<br />
<br />
The way I see it is that we just remain focused and get on with it, it won't feel like the first part of the job is done until we get to the BSP, which will hopefully be just around the corner, and I keep looking at the table to see just how tough the Conference North is, and Halifax, despite picking up recently, have started to endure a bit of a blip, now we all know about those of course, but I really hope that Halifax get promoted this year, as they are definitely one of the stronger teams in the Conference North, and it would be great for them to get back to the Conference too, given their history.<br />
<br />
Jim Harvey's Stalybridge seem to have hit a stumbling block too, for a while it looked like it would be them & Hyde who would be fighting it out for promotion, but Hyde appear to have it half in the bag now/ I do fancy our chances in the Conference North though I have to say, but let's just get there first, hopefully we won't see a repeat of last season where it went down to the last day - we have taken a really strong step forward recently, with results also going our way, so with an 8 point lead and a game in hand in the bag, hopefully we're in a stronger position this year, it certainly feels like it. We just need to see Northwich play a few games, and drop points along the way!!<br />
<br />
Oh yes, back to Radio 1, never would I have thought that I'd be getting a call off them, we'll be on the Top 40 next - maybe The Jestrian's Neil Young rap will make it to the top of the charts!!<br />
<br />
It's all good coverage though for the club, and hopefully it won't end there, I'm sure Football Focus will be getting an invite to come back to the Exacta again 12 months on from their last visit here, and I'll keep on trying, but hopefully one day Sky Sports Soccer Saturday will take a trip down here too, it seems ages ago since I did an interview by the river with them, so think I'll give them another reminder that we're still here - and doing well!<br />
<br />
So, onto Saturday we go then and Frickley away, we were all cheering that equalizer on Saturday in their game against Hednesford, and they won't be easy either considering they took a point off us at the Exacta earlier on in the season, but hopefully the lads will give it their all and come back with 3 points!<br />
<br />
Come on you Blues!!!Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-12641047839235941292012-02-01T08:37:00.000+00:002012-02-01T08:37:52.256+00:00Back on the Promotion trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPCqmrrl2x2aP3ObQAQIaqkGX6YTgSCUZuFuUcI8VaWiwwc1E85ZODt7bo7VE-kn5zIwS49IUg7hAdehr5Yr3FbAt2BMzTyRb2KIuChiHMq26Yfowd-K67GfE4wkrFJ05TfwF3cV3k2Q/s1600/4-5BF24EFA-1358566-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPCqmrrl2x2aP3ObQAQIaqkGX6YTgSCUZuFuUcI8VaWiwwc1E85ZODt7bo7VE-kn5zIwS49IUg7hAdehr5Yr3FbAt2BMzTyRb2KIuChiHMq26Yfowd-K67GfE4wkrFJ05TfwF3cV3k2Q/s400/4-5BF24EFA-1358566-800.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I must admit, I've only just realised that I've not blogged since before Christmas, so to anyone reading this, hope you enjoyed your festive celebrations, and had a great New Year, seeing the Blues top of the League at Christmas and going into 2012 was all we wanted, and got!<br />
<br />
Form has been a bit patchy for the Blues since that win at Marine, but the fact remains we are now three points clear of Hednesford, with 2 games in hand, and with the implosion at Northwich, Chorley & Marine seem as though they could be the challengers to the current top 2.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cbLnTxBi62MpjevKKyAYa7EV6MAZosyicRqDgb5BTedauDb0i7bhBKUphA3ZoP_BAHTK1jZgVLsAMtR6nQ7S790YgMFtS-15GRZJ1IeDo66DyekXc4Gj_lCPA_n0ggC3GO2GQ_clJLI/s1600/Powell+red+card+640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cbLnTxBi62MpjevKKyAYa7EV6MAZosyicRqDgb5BTedauDb0i7bhBKUphA3ZoP_BAHTK1jZgVLsAMtR6nQ7S790YgMFtS-15GRZJ1IeDo66DyekXc4Gj_lCPA_n0ggC3GO2GQ_clJLI/s320/Powell+red+card+640.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Powell gets a late Christmas card</td></tr>
</tbody></table>That Northwich game was extremely frustrating, with the early goal and sending off meaning we should have won that match at a canter, but we failed to take our chances, and let Northwich back in it, and if we're being truthful the ref could and should perhaps of given Vics a penalty in the last minute - although it wasn't the first mistake of the day by him, having decided to let himself be overruled by an official who was furthest from the Michael Powell and John Disney incident - purely ridiculous that.<br />
<br />
The turn of the year saw us then take on Nantwich at home, and revenge was in the air following the 4-1 defeat back in August, but Nantwich proved very stubborn, and a succession of missed chances meant that our first home game of the new year ended in a draw, just like it did back in 2011 against Warrington! The most amazing thing from the Nantwich game was the attendance, over 3500 were inside the Exacta, and I'd popped in to the Safety Room to ask if we were anywhere near the 3000 mark at about 2.50pm and was staggered to be told we were already over 3200 and people were still queueing outside!<br />
<br />
The thoughts then turned to Rushall, where we all wondered how we'd fare against a team that have taken points from most of the teams at the top of the table this season, but those fears were dispelled as we set out on a major 4-0 win over our West Midland counterparts, and that was great to see, restoring some confidence perhaps lost in the Nantwich draw.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1A1GDS2qWu9ZDY7uExQb1H_CUBNDlyax8fs827QryoqCisIzVNlycX1NjQde6fNYD4VE-BnX0xgQwcT71j1nWxSKdoUC1nqcHQpD8ky8c4216OcULLSZbj5621v1Tw-WbwFqHOOSoO1M/s1600/WEMBLEY+STADIUM+320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1A1GDS2qWu9ZDY7uExQb1H_CUBNDlyax8fs827QryoqCisIzVNlycX1NjQde6fNYD4VE-BnX0xgQwcT71j1nWxSKdoUC1nqcHQpD8ky8c4216OcULLSZbj5621v1Tw-WbwFqHOOSoO1M/s1600/WEMBLEY+STADIUM+320.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe next year, Wembley.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Attentions then turned to the FA Trophy, and I think it's fair to say we were all gutted that we didn't get at least a draw against Ebbsfleet, as our performance certainly deserved that outcome, having had to travel so far, the lads pulled out the stops to try and get the replay, but that 3rd goal just wouldn't come, and the Wembley dream was left behind, with a possible envious glance back at Wembley Stadium by those travelling back on the train. <br />
<br />
I definitely think we missed Powelly in the middle, and who knows maybe we would have got something had he not been missing that game. <br />
<br />
Then the big game at home to Hednesford, and another great crowd, only 91 fans travelled from the Midlands, which was maybe disappointing, but seeing over 3200 Chester fans inside again was superb. As for the match, well that was another day of frustration, with rare slip ups at the back costing us the game, but I did feel that if we could have got back to 2-2 in that game then we would have gone on to win, but alas we didn't and we had to surrender our superb home run of 27 games without defeat.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPFu7_K4C-O604hhCDb2okQnus3XRzwvmMm-z9y0hQzlnsAb1cgUholrEjo1LyL9idx5lMKBT9D02kCTezecOMmxq9E6bL55AWH53xpkLcNwQGf222yUa01VKkC9CgGCZe2KjaJaQfXg/s1600/4-77EAFAA3-1095117-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPFu7_K4C-O604hhCDb2okQnus3XRzwvmMm-z9y0hQzlnsAb1cgUholrEjo1LyL9idx5lMKBT9D02kCTezecOMmxq9E6bL55AWH53xpkLcNwQGf222yUa01VKkC9CgGCZe2KjaJaQfXg/s320/4-77EAFAA3-1095117-800.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">eerily dark on a sunny day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Perhaps the most disappointing thing to deal with was the smashing of a window on the away supporters coach - there is no place for that kind of act at our Club, we have built Chester FC up with a family reputation, and that will continue. These people just don't realise the effect that this has on the Club, think back to the Colwyn Bay mess. We were trying to get various sponsorship deals for the Club, and they then see that there is trouble at our first friendly - that had so much impact on what we were trying to do, as potential sponsors will think that they do not want to be involved with bad news, and rightly so. But thanks to a great effort to pull sponsors back in, we succeeded in convincing them that Chester FC were a forward thinking club, with a strong community ethos, and I think the proof is in the pudding, but these idiots certainly don't think about the fact they are hurting the Club they claim to support. <br />
<br />
Anyway, back to the football, and we were all left disappointed by the fact the Liverpool v Man Utd reserves match had fallen foul of the weather a couple of weeks ago, and there was an argument that the pitch covers should have been deployed, but in the end it really made no difference as the temperature plummeted once the sun disappeared beneath the West Stand, and ice started to appear on the pitch and by 6pm it was clear that the game would have been a ice-nightmare for the players involved, and we could have talking of the likes of Berbatov causing themselves a great injury, something which we would have not wanted, and clearly the ref decided the same. Who knows what kind of action these clubs could take if such an incident occurred. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUpoAbuomJ9FefM1Vt_svc5NDsyMwXrDzi0w6LAoGnFjfRRbWQ0gH7sDloDxTVT1jq2ZK_UeZINtOGC9halYJ109Txj430OdePwMewqyOfkBVDQrXF_Et2aZ-8akBtDH-ZLjFpzZ8SJs/s1600/2-9D59C2D3-987039-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUpoAbuomJ9FefM1Vt_svc5NDsyMwXrDzi0w6LAoGnFjfRRbWQ0gH7sDloDxTVT1jq2ZK_UeZINtOGC9halYJ109Txj430OdePwMewqyOfkBVDQrXF_Et2aZ-8akBtDH-ZLjFpzZ8SJs/s1600/2-9D59C2D3-987039-800.jpg" /></a></div>That game will hopefully be replayed in April, and certainly Liverpool understood that we were beaten by the weather, and hopefully come April, we'll have better weather and a potentially bigger crowd.<br />
<br />
The fact that we had another home game on the Saturday meant that we would take no chances on the Friday night, and we put the call out for fans to come down and help lay the pitch covers, and I think that it was the right decision to make as the cold snap certainly happened on the Friday night, and a quick call to arms again meant that the game went ahead, and what a start - 2 goals in the first 20 minutes, and I think its fair to say we were all expecting an avalanche of goals, but it really didn't happen, and after Mickleover scored their goal we sort of went into our shell a bit.<br />
<br />
The plus point was the introduction of Stefan Cox who certainly had a lively looking debut, when he eventually got the ball, he then made life a misery for the full back, and when he swapped to the right wing, with Howard on the left, we looked to have a bit more balance, and Cox looked electric down the right, despite being a left winger!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87S3mCKUOfdhBmx0XwA-5ybVbtyo7DFQg0eFQS6lD81UcA05FWYeax1WwHcGK7OA9AfCiIAMB59uJnZu3lET01YpXVodjnkM0LxciNclqt_rfeu0YlKZObLBB_AWc_oIUC1HK-rBn4R4/s1600/4-6E852679-1514844-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87S3mCKUOfdhBmx0XwA-5ybVbtyo7DFQg0eFQS6lD81UcA05FWYeax1WwHcGK7OA9AfCiIAMB59uJnZu3lET01YpXVodjnkM0LxciNclqt_rfeu0YlKZObLBB_AWc_oIUC1HK-rBn4R4/s320/4-6E852679-1514844-800.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favourite shot from a cold crisp day at the Exacta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I recently took the opportunity to get some snaps of the Exacta Stadium, on a cold crisp day, and hopefully anyone reading this (is there anyone reading this bar me??) will like those photos, which I've included on here today.<br />
<br />
On the media side recently, there has been plenty going on, just the other week myself & Pat visited the new BBC set up at Salford Quays, to meet one of Colin Murray's production team, and the place was very impressive, a very 'open' feel to it, with all staff having a decent view out of the windows, but also where people walking past can see in to their office, so you're pretty much on view here to anyone!<br />
<br />
We're working together with Colin's team for something that we had hoped to announce this season, but things have just dragged on a little bit longer than what we'd hoped, but we will still definitely be doing something with Colin & co in the near future - the major plus is that he has been coming to our home games whenever possible, showing his support for the Blues.<br />
<br />
The Jestrian has to be one of my favourite reads each day, even though I'm the butt of some of those made up names, Jar Jar Banks, Army Tanks, and Jaffie Bracks being some of those names, but I do love the humour of it, and its all a welcome break from the busy life that this 'media junkie' seems to have, even though I'm officially out of work at the moment!! <br />
<br />
Looking ahead to today, well there is a stack of CFU stuff to be getting on with, so time to put a bit of man power to that, will blog again soon, and will attempt to not leave it over a month this time!<br />
<br />
Come On You Blues!<br />
Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-11144448898551979112011-12-23T06:58:00.000+00:002011-12-23T06:58:56.858+00:00Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!Well it's been a while since I blogged - it's just been crazily busy recently so not really had the chance to do much, so 2012 will be different on that score that's for sure - it's been a brilliant 12 months with the Championship win and the team currently top of the Evo-Stik Premier League - what an amazing feat that the lads have achieved.<br />
It's been a very busy time off the pitch too, with much work being done behind the scenes too, and special praise must go out to all the volunteers who are each doing their own bit to help drive the club forward - I'm sure each and every one of those volunteers really enjoy what they are doing to help, and that is how we all feel too, so again together as one.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9Vd_GR00uDXE18KE-touZzJEv4WsTNOYQvlBR9XX8AOiNJSFEo_0rwoyqGGINHzASOWPCpzsAGm5uW09D6LyW7UxvW-UYBlih3kK1TCsAkMhnTXz_lrjmJftWBNxLJygiHXvz93h4KU/s1600/banksy+celebrating+with+trophy.jpg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9Vd_GR00uDXE18KE-touZzJEv4WsTNOYQvlBR9XX8AOiNJSFEo_0rwoyqGGINHzASOWPCpzsAGm5uW09D6LyW7UxvW-UYBlih3kK1TCsAkMhnTXz_lrjmJftWBNxLJygiHXvz93h4KU/s320/banksy+celebrating+with+trophy.jpg2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favourite moments of 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Being a Chester fan has never been easy, and its definitely been challenging at times, but the 10's (as in the 80s, 90s etc) has certainly got off to a great start, and that 40 year cycle of Chester FC continues to trend, in the 1930's the club entered the football league, in the 1970's the Club enjoyed it's best ever spell, and now in the 2010's we are enjoying the Club being reborn, and treating us all to some great away days, and results to go with them.<br />
<br />
Next week of course it's the Boxing Day match at Northwich, and I can't remember getting this excited since that Boxing Day trip to Preston North End when we were chasing promotion from the old Division 3 (the one after it used to be Division 4 of course!), and that day we took 2500 fans to Deepdale, with the home stewards and police shocked that we'd brought so many. I think only the trip to Blackburn could put that one in the shade, and what an atmosphere that turned out to be, and I'm sure the one at Northwich will be a cracker (no pun intended), and the sound of 'Yellows Yellows' will be ringing away arund the ground.<br />
<br />
Much has been made of the Northwich chairman, and their interesting way of ticketing arrangements, and we will only know on Boxing Day if what they decided on was a mistake or not, certainly their 'poke' at Chester was unwarranted, and every other Club has agreed to the commission rate on tickets sold from the Exacta - it's just standard practice - but for some it obviously isn't. They want slave labour.<br />
<br />
This last week has been interesting too on the media side of things, with a request for me to do an interview with the Ebbsfleet Podcast to help preview the big game in the FA Trophy in January. The podcast is I think aimed at those exiled from Ebbsfleet, or those who have bought a piece of 'My Football Club' that live in the US - either way, it was a nice little interview and I tried to push home just what Chester fans had been through in the last few years, well decades I should say!<br />
<br />
That interview is due to air sometime next week I believe.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IUpmWX9FPZbQaEFJkSr9eHPHIOhzzuSJcwqgdiAknjlRHZSQpCcnuAGsCPgPKX_AnscrB57xFxsHJBsXMBctGzypLlQ9OVF2UXqDsphuVJ6A-vEPNOlDiCJ3rKdNd8_q2AvyGon26V0/s1600/Ashley+Williams.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IUpmWX9FPZbQaEFJkSr9eHPHIOhzzuSJcwqgdiAknjlRHZSQpCcnuAGsCPgPKX_AnscrB57xFxsHJBsXMBctGzypLlQ9OVF2UXqDsphuVJ6A-vEPNOlDiCJ3rKdNd8_q2AvyGon26V0/s200/Ashley+Williams.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9 Gold Rings - Classic Ash!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Last night was the Chester FC Christmas Party, and it was a really good night once again at Chester Racecourse, and a chance to take the mickey out of a few of the players via the Christmas Quiz - seeing them attempting to guess the Christmas song titles via a Give Us a Clue type game was classic!<br />
<br />
Well that's about it today, I could go on, but it's my last day at work and I now have to get ready before 12 years at MBNA comes to an end, so to all Chetser fans, have a brilliant Christmas & New Year, and let's get those singing voices ready for Northwich on Boxing Day - COYB!<br />
<br />
By the way The Jestrian, what a top blog, and amazingly one of my favourite Christmas bites is a box of Jaffa Cakes!<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas!Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-30971550966461394732011-10-21T12:56:00.001+01:002011-10-21T12:57:28.451+01:00Away Days are great aren't they...apart from Plymouth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGwdzK7_bMG28GfmIABGlhJ3Q_-KeK0vO_OV7H2FZdedX5DAuHn5B2rAL6G7zexKJeWoJnbPU4p2RArVBRmd6MuEVMzcZ6hQFQhVshXODh0_JbOdr63mpKCVOSC_ye8LnBhqyE305Ep0/s1600/utd+%252886+of+97%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230px" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGwdzK7_bMG28GfmIABGlhJ3Q_-KeK0vO_OV7H2FZdedX5DAuHn5B2rAL6G7zexKJeWoJnbPU4p2RArVBRmd6MuEVMzcZ6hQFQhVshXODh0_JbOdr63mpKCVOSC_ye8LnBhqyE305Ep0/s400/utd+%252886+of+97%2529.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
What an amazing day last Saturday was.<br />
<br />
<br />
One of the best I would say since following the Blues, and we’ve had some crackers too, but there is nothing like coming behind after the referee has gifted the opponents two goals, meaning you think you’re playing against twelve, thirteen or fourteen men – let me check, yes they were all male officials – to then turn it around and grab a winning goal right at the end, that was special.<br />
<br />
The celebrations probably seemed over the top to FCUM fans, but hey, we’ve put up with so much shit over the years, that we’re entitled to celebrate like we’d won the world cup at the end of the match – how many times have we seen late goals going in that have cost us a game, many I would think, so we’ll enjoy this one thank you very much.<br />
<br />
The actual game reminded me of my first match memory, all the way back in 1982 I think it was, eek 30 year anniversary to come next year, but if I remember it correctly, we were playing Portsmouth at the time, yes, really.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ntfc.co.uk/javaImages/d6/9a/0,,10425~3185366,00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200px" rda="true" src="http://www.ntfc.co.uk/javaImages/d6/9a/0,,10425~3185366,00.jpg" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tervor Morley - season wrecker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We ended up taking the lead in that game, before we were 2-1 down, only then to come storming back to win 3-2, and that is where my love affair with Sealand Road and Chester FC started, I wish it was all as good as that – christ knows I’ve seen some shockers over the years, the worst at Sealand Road was probably the 5-0 defeat at home to Northampton on the first game of the season, a lovely summer’s day, everyone singing songs with high spirits, and then the referee’s whistle sounded and Trevor Morley went on to wreck our first game with a hat trick against us. I clearly remember this match as I’d won free tickets to sit in the Main Stand (only ever did this three times, the other two were the 1-0 win in the Fright Rover Trophy against Mansfield, when we were so so close to getting to Wembley, and the other being our fine 2-1 win over Wrexham in 86 – ‘Mean, Mean, Mean Machine’ – come on Stevie Johnson!). <br />
<br />
Anyway, where was I? Oh that’s right, free tickets. I’d won them in a competition on Marcher Sound, as it was then, I couldn’t believe it, a freebie to watch my beloved Blues, and then they go and do that – I wrote back asking for a refund even though it’d had not cost me a penny!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm, not like the old away end then? Bastards.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Talking of worst games, there are a few that stand out in memory following Chester. The 1-0 defeat to Plymouth in the FA Cup, it pissed down all day, the coach journey back was possibly the most miserable of trips ever, remember sitting there in my boxers as the jeans had come off they were that soaked – I sincerely hope that would be on the only time someone would sit on the Hipkiss Express in their boxer shorts!<br />
<br />
That day really annoyed me, the rain was one thing, but they even told us Blues that there were no seats available in the covered stand, only to then pay at the turnstile for the open terrace, and look up and see loads of empty seats. Bastards.<br />
<br />
They then proceeded to keep us in for 20 minutes after the game, by this point we’d all be doing impressions of a human sponge, and just as we thought we’d nick a replay, they scored a late winner, 5 minutes before the end if I remember correctly. Bastards.<br />
<br />
They then marched us through a covered stand – why did they do that, did they just want to rub it in even more? – then on what seemed a circular journey to go back to our coaches, we’d have been closer to the coaches if we’d just gone through the turnstiles we came through in. Bastards. Magic of the FA Cup my arse.<br />
<br />
The other crap games I remember, well until the mid 90’s Mansfield away was always crap, we always seemed to get beat 2-0 there. Hartlepool was quite possibly the coldest place on earth – apart from winter in Macclesfield 1990-91. <br />
<br />
We did have some crap home games too, I seem to remember Crewe stuffing us 6-0 at the Deva in the mickey mouse tournament (that had been devalued since we were so close to Wembley). I remember that match for two reasons, one for the result, and the second for the fact it was the first match for my now ex-girlfriend, she never came again, bad omen she turned out to be!<br />
<br />
The 5-1 defeat at home to Leyton Orient was a shitter too, that turned out to be the day that I bumped into Terry Smith in the corridor at the back of the club, told him in no uncertain terms what I thought of it, and him, and next thing he was stepping down. Good.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballcardsuk.com/cards/1979/9854-th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" rda="true" src="http://www.footballcardsuk.com/cards/1979/9854-th.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pejic...crap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In fact I had made a habit of that, as when we got beat 4-0 at home to Birmingham at the Deva, I was doing the commentary for the blind in those days, and when Mick Pejic came up, I had a pop at him, and he said ‘Do you think you could do better yourself?’, “Yes” I told him, and also said I’d love to have the chance to prove it. He got sacked a few days later!<br />
<br />
I better watch what I say with Youngy ha ha!<br />
<br />
Drifted off a bit there, so back to it – amazing support at FC United, non stop singing was absolutely superb. What a load of rubbish when we were told by FCUM that they couldn’t hear us – did we hear them? No, not really, we were too busy singing!<br />
<br />
Apologies to all who I may have jumped on in that melee after the second goal, it was just a case of dancing a jig of delight, and then I managed to compose myself somehow for the winner! Great day out, it’s not often you win 30-2 away from home!<br />
<br />
More of the same tomorrow lads!!!Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-74201679214784763882011-10-02T16:20:00.001+01:002011-10-02T16:34:10.905+01:00What a long month!Little did I realise how eventful September would become...<br />
<br />
When the month started, it was more a case of the lads bouncing back from the Bank Holiday defeat at Nantwich, and what a good start was made to that, but who would have envisaged that for the rest of the month Chester FC would go on to score 23 goals without reply, with 7 wins on the bounce, one of those a very very satisfying win over Chorley at the Exacta.<br />
<br />
The whole month for me though was destined to become linked to working on the launch of the new website, although I don't think even I realised how much time it would require!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2p81CzA-LuPZP8YZh8PdKLw7yJKOMurdHEQ6IP3F_1ZyIgqZ_YDaX4UY21ReojP-K8AncL_i4hNmWvPVFmri0PTFS6KDqmeStv2tIw2lbZ5mQ8gQ1us0OUGBl8JW9dL10Zt7GVVoYaIM/s1600/london+eye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2p81CzA-LuPZP8YZh8PdKLw7yJKOMurdHEQ6IP3F_1ZyIgqZ_YDaX4UY21ReojP-K8AncL_i4hNmWvPVFmri0PTFS6KDqmeStv2tIw2lbZ5mQ8gQ1us0OUGBl8JW9dL10Zt7GVVoYaIM/s200/london+eye.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">London looked good in the blue sky!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In mid September myself & Chris Pilsbury visited Perform, the group who supply all the help and expertise of running the websites across the league, those Football League websites that you see. Before we got there though we took a breather and had a look at the London eye before getting the train on to our final destination!<br />
<br />
Seeing their premises was impressive, and seeing how they pull things together was even more eye-opening. We were given a tour of the buildings, and shown how they receive streams of live sport from across the world, and how they then transfer that in to websites around the world.<br />
<br />
During that visit, we learned a lot, and also found out that the anticipated go-live date would be just 10 days after our visit - that frightened the shit out of me if I'm being perfectly honest!<br />
<br />
So, the task would be to bring together content for the whole site, which at this starting point was a shell, so much work would be needed to get it to where it needed to be.<br />
<br />
The next 10 days and nights then would be full of work at home for me, so everything else had to be forgotten about for the time being, sadly that included the Hyde away game, and the match at Stafford too, as I would simply have run out of time.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately this also meant pretty much being in my own world for 10 days & nights too, so ended up probably becoming a stranger to my own wife, so now it's live there is plenty of making up to be done!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdke7ZgdjMBQSnvAbv8isCwVAbyXlpbzZc6iZvMS_EefFa7fX7l6AHNKXrwpddhUYXcepGi057ai2lRfrwGoVZTY4cYnLjIZz8KuHRPZDmJptq4jY5rpwO-3u5OEwFI5z3872N2fW0XoA/s1600/sleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdke7ZgdjMBQSnvAbv8isCwVAbyXlpbzZc6iZvMS_EefFa7fX7l6AHNKXrwpddhUYXcepGi057ai2lRfrwGoVZTY4cYnLjIZz8KuHRPZDmJptq4jY5rpwO-3u5OEwFI5z3872N2fW0XoA/s200/sleep.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes please!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Last weekend was quite stressful in the way that I knew everything had to be bang on, but some things weren't working or appearing as I'd expected it too on the test site, whilst there were other items that would be part of the package that I hadn't even got around to looking at just yet. By 10pm I'd had enough of staring at the screen though, so power off and time for sleep!<br />
<br />
So, the Monday morning, as ever, up at 5.30am and opened up the PC prior to going to work, and doing some last minute tests - everything was ready at my end, now it would be over to Perform to test and hopefully launch on the Monday.<br />
<br />
There were a few issues which still needing ironing out as there were a few references to Chester City FC which we obviously needed to remedy, and with the testing of the website, it appeared that it would take longer for the launch to happen, and on Monday afternoon it was decided that the site would be launched on the Tuesday, as some testing still had to be done on the Tuesday morning.<br />
<br />
It was almost a case of what else could I do on the Monday night, so I had a quick read of CoveritLive, the live text commentary, but my head was so panned from the weekend where I'd sat on the couch with the laptop on for 12 hours each day, that I just called it quits and chilled out!<br />
<br />
So, to Tuesday morning, and here we go again, waiting for the nod, which finally came in the afternoon, as it took a few hours for everything to be put in to production, and finally at around 6pm the website went live, so the next few hours were spent dealing with any issues that had arisen on the site, or things that weren't showing correctly.<br />
<br />
I think I fell flat asleep on the Tuesday night, but pleased it was finally launched, and just in time too before the big Chorley game on the Wednesday.<br />
<br />
So, Wednesday night it was back to the Exacta and I think everyone was feeling up for it during the day, and couldn't wait for the action to start - there was plenty to do pre match too, with plenty of press coming along, plus the setting up of the half time penalty shoot out which involved some running round to organise, but we got there!<br />
<br />
The match itself was a great occasion, the first half was edgy, but as soon as Brownie let rip with that thunderbolt of a shot, there was only one winner, and when Matty McNeil headed in for number 2, I nearly gave myself a broken neck when I went running down the steps to celebrate, thankfully the wall in front halted the charge forward!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xEC9em1XWLg_hdwKsrVi3rgsJ52k0GaNj1WaonMwAmyet-52nHeS_7JMIsO9L9aHb7lL0B3xjn9TOhT-a_JsPjQmKbzPSQ_0Hkz1jNUHUT_ltj1zvKe29iYtELiOLw3O_cq7JFMePhU/s1600/flitcroft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xEC9em1XWLg_hdwKsrVi3rgsJ52k0GaNj1WaonMwAmyet-52nHeS_7JMIsO9L9aHb7lL0B3xjn9TOhT-a_JsPjQmKbzPSQ_0Hkz1jNUHUT_ltj1zvKe29iYtELiOLw3O_cq7JFMePhU/s200/flitcroft.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well beaten!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>That third goal was a peach too, with Wes curling it home from 25 yards, and that was that - I was in the tunnel when the players were coming in, and just gave Mr Flitcroft a wink, with one word, "Unlucky" - and then back out to help sort out the exit of the Chorley media, and back to quickly get a drink in what was a hot bar! <br />
<br />
What a night, and a great way to see out September!<br />
<br />
Plenty more to come in October, and let's hope that our great run continues, and that we get Chorley back off the top of the table!Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-25627650240216030482011-09-09T08:55:00.000+01:002011-09-09T08:55:52.770+01:00Back on Track!It's been an eventful week at Chester FC.<br />
<br />
Following the Nantwich Nightmare, so much was said, and vented, but we all just wanted to get back to winning ways on Saturday at home to North Ferriby, and the lads were clearly of the same mindset, whipping United 6-0 in front of a decent gate of over 2100.<br />
<br />
It was the perfect response. Iain Howard & Chris Simm recalled to the team that they'd been dropped from a few days earlier due to their lateness, and I'm sure people now realise why that had to happen, and when I saw them on the pitch before the game as I walked in, I gave them a bit of banter about the fact that they were here on time this week!<br />
<br />
In my blog for The Cestrian last time out I was writing about big wins, but I didn't actually think we'd get such a big win on Saturday as the team we were playing were half decent themselves, but when I saw that they'd only been able to name 3 subs, hopes were lifted.<br />
<br />
It was fairly even early doors, and North Ferriby were looking like a team who had done well the past few seasons, having been involved in the Play offs, but as soon as Simmo scored their was only going to be one winner.<br />
<br />
Then, step up Iain Howard - a beautiful step over and drag back of the ball led to a pass for Simmo to run on to and collect his second of the match, when he slid the ball under the keeper, Simmo admitted after the game he was knackered by the time he got to the penalty area - well at least he didn't get his feet all tangled up again like the FC United game ha ha!<br />
<br />
It was then Iain's turn though to put the ball in the net, and how, a special scissor-cum-overhead kick that found its way into the corner of the net to put the Blues 3 up - this was the icing on the cake, but the cherry would follow later!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7ANG7VRwN9q2E28Vgj05ESogLLQPfdEJkCKVjo2RZhpKG3oF54GB1y6vFJdmowHpZxdk-7jzAMsSQg54M971xc9WGS4Kfx60zGNDWopxs7yA2nsyXVL4k-lbGy5H9UT0cGIy4pVHt-Y/s1600/nfu+%252860+of+81%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7ANG7VRwN9q2E28Vgj05ESogLLQPfdEJkCKVjo2RZhpKG3oF54GB1y6vFJdmowHpZxdk-7jzAMsSQg54M971xc9WGS4Kfx60zGNDWopxs7yA2nsyXVL4k-lbGy5H9UT0cGIy4pVHt-Y/s320/nfu+%252860+of+81%2529.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Think Brad & the Harry Mac enjoyed that one!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In a week when many have demanded Bradley Barnes gets a look in, Neil decided to introduce him to the match, and what a great reception he got too - and in just a few minutes he had everyone cheering after blasting home in front of the Harry Mac - he couldn't have been better placed! <br />
<br />
Barnesy didn't get long to celebrate his though as Robbie Booth let fly from the edge of the area, and with the aid of a deflection made it 5-0, a great goal, and well deserved for Boothy who has been working extremely hard to get where he is now.<br />
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The scoring wasn't over then either, as Matty McGinn - quite possibly one of Chester's best ever loan signings, was upended in the penalty area, and he got up dusted himself down, and blasted home another spot kick, 6-0!<br />
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So, a great day for The Blues, and everyone feeling much better thank you than the previous Monday, and that's what we all needed, confidence back again - well done boys!<br />
<br />
It was a football dominated few days, probably didn't go down too well at home, what with the England match on Friday night, the Chester match on Saturday, board meeting on Monday night, England match again on Tuesday night, followed by the Chester game at Ashton on Wednesday - wall to wall? You betcha.<br />
<br />
So, to Ashton, and I still can't believe the weather the other night, I bet the subs were pleased to be sitting on that bench, as it couldn't have been much fun out there in that torrential rain, it was bad enough watching from the sides!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyHJ_ue5cQQXlttFr-3VRxPZ-fsp3jtsgq9ro-LK-91atIIBZJawJ6ORD62YDV0aTv5RVAgIKaYBxQ4joq4wKuA1Ajl5-swFjQ_Lu8cnJCXwgyNGI_v6batT8BThYbPt58ZShZeCXhAE/s1600/ash+%25288+of+14%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyHJ_ue5cQQXlttFr-3VRxPZ-fsp3jtsgq9ro-LK-91atIIBZJawJ6ORD62YDV0aTv5RVAgIKaYBxQ4joq4wKuA1Ajl5-swFjQ_Lu8cnJCXwgyNGI_v6batT8BThYbPt58ZShZeCXhAE/s320/ash+%25288+of+14%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iain Howard - great at pens apparently</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I did a bit of Boardroom duty at Ashton, and I have to say that we were looked after superbly by the Ashton officials, had a good chat about Iain Howard, being a previous player of theirs and they informed us that he is deadly from the penalty spot, so we'll be looking for that in future Cup games if needed!<br />
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What a start we got off to though,and Simmo was the hero again, he really is on fire at the moment, and long may it continue - he's been running his plums off recently and now he is getting the rewards with the goals, but I don't think anyone was expecting such a quick start the other night in that rain, but we pretty much dominated that game, and deserved the second goal, although for some reason watching the match, you never feel comfy until we get a third.<br />
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That didn't come, but the rain did, and fair play to Pat Cluskey, who was taking the kit bag home, his car must have weighed a ton going back, and Jimmy would need more than Daz Ultra to get that crap off the kits!<br />
<br />
We're back to Friday again, and another away day at Worksop tomorrow, let's hope the boys bring the points home again, and we can push on in our quest for the title!Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-17161388234015848872011-09-02T07:08:00.002+01:002011-09-02T07:10:48.433+01:00Bring on North Ferriby!It's been a long week for Chester fans, having experienced both the highs and lows of the game in the past 7 days, with a thumping win at home to Stocksbridge, followed by a thumping defeat at Nantwich.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the best away day we've had</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Much has been said about the performance and result at Nantwich, so I won't touch on that, but some people should take a look at themselves with their over the top criticism of "the club they love" - we've all seen bad games involving Chester, christ knows the last ten years have seen enough crap performances to turn us into manic depressives, but we have come out of that era, the last thing we want to do is see the club head back into it thanks to abuse of the players, who if that is continued are bound to be affected by it.<br />
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The one thing that the lads need is the fans behind them, when things are not going well, they need encouragement, not slating personally, like what happened on Monday.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTlis0wqqyCfrhhF1ud6VyBocdcK9ps9YF6FDz3v79mFP8qkyB8dLQVYp_ZQnujImsFlj7XFG7FtDb_Xl4X86heBgXtOy9AJE9Wtl2Ww2Eo_vusi5A8Dw76qeExo7gTpVPw_yjE28oy0/s1600/samir-nasri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTlis0wqqyCfrhhF1ud6VyBocdcK9ps9YF6FDz3v79mFP8qkyB8dLQVYp_ZQnujImsFlj7XFG7FtDb_Xl4X86heBgXtOy9AJE9Wtl2Ww2Eo_vusi5A8Dw76qeExo7gTpVPw_yjE28oy0/s1600/samir-nasri.jpg" xaa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nasri accidentally downloads Arsenal Fans greatest hits</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I often think about what players feel about fans when they hear scrams of abuse from fans (in genaral now, not talking about Monday), and you only have to look at Samir Nasri, who decided to up and leave Arsenal after the disgusting songs from Gunners fans which upset the player, how the hell you can take pride in singing a foul mouthed song against your own player is beyond me. That player decided to leave the club, when it appeared he was going to be staying, and that I'm sure would be on players minds when hearing such abuse. <br />
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Players need confidence to do well, and the rewards are the performances and goals that we'll see in front of us, but we need to be on their side if they are to do well.<br />
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It's been a big media week this week, with several good things coming out following Monday, which has lightened things up around the place.<br />
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The Guardian did of course do a lengthy feature on the FC United game last Wednesday, and I'm just so pleased that we put on our best display of the season, and maybe beyond that, in our 2-1 win, which I know the boys from The Guardian really enjoyed, so much so, that when I went to do my interview with them the following day, they actually bought not one, but two club scarves, their way of saying thank you, and helping the club at the same time.<br />
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About the same time we had the NATV footage too, which was cracking, everyone was awaiting this, and we were kept waiting due to a dodgy PC fault, but thankfully the footage came through, and we've all enjoyed remembering what a quality night it was.<br />
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Just this morning, I've had a request off BBC Wales, who are looking to do a feature with the Club, I think they are looking at the fan-owned picture as a whole, and want to see how we have managed to get Chester FC off the ground, so expecting some more cameras at the Kendal game on the 14th September.<br />
<br />
Time to look forward to the North Ferriby United game tomorrow now, and it is of course Non League Day, with the emphasis on getting first timers to a non-League match, based on the fact that there are non Premier League games due to the international break this weekend.<br />
<br />
Martin Huxley has designed a great poster, which we are aiming to be in most pubs across Chester, and we've got volunteers covering most of them, and hopefully it will entice a few newbies to the Exacta tomorrow as there will be nothing to do for those Liverpool, Everton, Man Utd & City fans, so they may as well come on down to experience 'football as it used to be'!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmVGKdkBr7FnOGjNFOVwlfVULIzpyQeeqLwbwvoaGuTmxhQ7tJOc78VmBKGN1E99gql64SFmuNWzPaVHU1SVWeAc2JWhHThp7p2hhFg_avgRYtMPWQxrwqpNYIbN7lJNP9cR1aZVsc3U/s1600/cfc+ladies.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmVGKdkBr7FnOGjNFOVwlfVULIzpyQeeqLwbwvoaGuTmxhQ7tJOc78VmBKGN1E99gql64SFmuNWzPaVHU1SVWeAc2JWhHThp7p2hhFg_avgRYtMPWQxrwqpNYIbN7lJNP9cR1aZVsc3U/s1600/cfc+ladies.gif" xaa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladies link up with Blues</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yesterday I did a quick interview with Dee 106.3 who were referring to our press release about the link up with the Chester Ladies team, this is something that we are delighted to be involved in, the Ladies team have been going for 19 years believe it or not, but have never been officially recognised by the Club, but now things are set to change, and with a change of name from Chester City Ladies to Chester Ladies FC, it's another box ticked when it comes to Chester FC in the Community.<br />
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So, we're all set for tomorrow then, and the entertainment at half time will be provided by the Ladies, who are taking part in the Crossbar Challenge, hopefully they'll enjoy the experience, and the crowd will get right behind them!<br />
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I've been trying to get a Legend down here for Saturday, but time has conspired against me, although I did try a few, including Peter Jackson, who has stepped down at Bradford, but he is away, unsurprisingly trying to get away from it all for a couple of weeks, and another one attempted was Billy Stewart, who couldn't make the game, as he is currently away with Northern Ireland's Under 21s until next week, so hopefully we'll see Billy, Billy Stewart (clap clap) down at the Exacta soon.<br />
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Okay, that's it for now, looking forward to a good show from the lads tomorrow, and hopefully at 4.50pm tomorrow we'll be looking at the table with Chester on 13 points.<br />
<br />
Come On You Blues!!!Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-57475884014078633302011-08-26T06:46:00.000+01:002011-08-26T06:46:44.060+01:00One of those great nights at the ExactaWednesday night we had such a great atmosphere at the Exacta Stadium for the visit of FC United of Manchester.<br />
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I think we all knew we'd get a decent atmosphere, but I think the fact that we got a cracker of a game to go with it was the icing on the cake, oh and the victory too!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQ73UnrCQ6Gcdd5XoUNwg_OnaQIsVB18UAbyvSbtt0xVk8I_gqxOUFHqoPP4vU6RU4P0cN501pNtV6rCyiuygVOzQW2atVnhPRPK0Z1bkh9l3bYgO00N4w7MSJXNBiWD3mhcNe7eJLvM/s1600/utdM+%252849+of+50%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQ73UnrCQ6Gcdd5XoUNwg_OnaQIsVB18UAbyvSbtt0xVk8I_gqxOUFHqoPP4vU6RU4P0cN501pNtV6rCyiuygVOzQW2atVnhPRPK0Z1bkh9l3bYgO00N4w7MSJXNBiWD3mhcNe7eJLvM/s320/utdM+%252849+of+50%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Harry Mac getting in to it on Wednesday!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Considering we have only been together for a year or so now, this match definitely presented us with our biggest opposition to date - and a club that was within a whisker of getting into the Conference North last season, and we more than matched them, in fact I'd say we fully deserved the win over FCUM on Wednesday, and should have been about 3 or 4 up at half time.<br />
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It was one of those eagerly anticipated games, and for me even more so as I'd been away when the friendly match took place in July, so definitely was looking forward to this, although was trying to keep the lid on it whilst at work, in order for me to then finish at 4pm, and get in to match day mode.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was going to be a busy one as far as the media side of things was concerned, as there was plenty going on, Sweden's national radio channel Sportschannel P4 were going to be there, as were The Guardian, who were coming up to film a piece on it, and then there was the visit from FC United's entourage, which included FCUM Radio, who would I'm sure have given a different account to that of Blues Live on Wednesday night!</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Blues Live has been a great success so far, and we're now looking at the possibilities of covering the away games, but that is still a possibility rather than a probability given the issues with wireless coverage away from home at some of the grounds in the League - what has to be remembered is that too much use of the wireless signal at away games could pose problems for the press at the game, so all these things have to be taken into account.</div> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Anyway, back to Wednesday, and once at the ground, time to do the usual things in my role, which is of course to see the press, make sure they are sorted with everything for the match ahead, and then dealing with any queries that come my way, greeting the opposing board members, checking in with Cleggy & Dan to give them the schedule for the evening, getting the team details for our Twitter coverage, and then getting the various people ready for the pre match and half time sequences. I also needed to ensure that the Guardian reporters were seeing everyone they needed to see before the game. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">One of those was the Chester FC Youth team presentation, and how great that Tony Durkin is sponsoring the Youth team this year - he's been a great sponsor of Chester over the years, and fantastic to see that he is still involved with the club now.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3dKkZi0sjkszItzpDCb2QpMznWij7ASdR69eqydkpAEEgaXhJ1k4tRvoV1SKeCDy4Q8r44c9TjIZ6ChX_QfwzrGVFUhxDJeofSG2nM30jgNXD9ed2vkXJ4weiGIAztkCcbnXLfVcjLY/s1600/utd+%252818+of+24%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3dKkZi0sjkszItzpDCb2QpMznWij7ASdR69eqydkpAEEgaXhJ1k4tRvoV1SKeCDy4Q8r44c9TjIZ6ChX_QfwzrGVFUhxDJeofSG2nM30jgNXD9ed2vkXJ4weiGIAztkCcbnXLfVcjLY/s320/utd+%252818+of+24%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simmo's laces give way again!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The game then of course got underway, and what a game we saw, a really good open match with the Blues going for it in the first half, something we all want to see of course, as we've found that we do tend to batter teams in the second half of a game, so why not the first, but we certainly took the game to FC United, and had it not been for the crossbar and Simmo's laces then we could have been 4-0 up at half time, but we'd definitely take the 2 nil lead!</div><br />
At half time it was of course challenge time, and this week the challenge was to 'Hit the Post' from the half way line, and the winner of the competition certainly gave it a good go, wearing stand our red boots, he hammered his first attempt just inches from the half way line as I looked from the stand, and his second and third attempts weren't that bad either!<br />
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He was unlucky in the end, but I think he was made up that he walked away with a family ticket to Chester Races, who'd kindly donated the prize.<br />
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Back to the game, and the second half started the same way as the first did, and we were desperately trying to find that third goal, but it just didn't seem to want to find us, and then FC went and made things a whole lot worse by grabbing a goal ten minutes before the end, to ensure that we were all nervous as anything, maybe not Garforth-style nervous, but it was bad enough but when that free kick sailed way way over the bar, that was time to relax, and thankfully the whistle went straight afterwards, and we'd done it, beaten one of the League favourites, and I'm sure confidence will fly though the camp now.<br />
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The night wasn't over, as it was time to do the post match stuff, before settling down to a nice cold pint. Think I left the ground at 10.30 but still managed to get a much needed bottle of wine to celebrate with on the way home!<br />
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It all starts again tomorrow too, with another home game, and hopefully another decent crowd to follow up on our FC United game, and hopefully another three points on the horizon too, so enjoy the game everyone, and Come on you Blues!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-80354647705067016352011-08-21T23:32:00.000+01:002011-08-21T23:32:28.460+01:00Mixed bag of results in opening weekSo, a draw, a win, and a defeat in the first week of the season, and we're well and truly back on the Chester Rollercoaster that we all boarded just 8 days ago.<br />
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It's been one of those starts, where we all wanted to see Chester FC start with 9 points but probably knew deep down that that wouldn't happen, but good to have football back all the same.<br />
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The Rushall game was possibly one of the most frustrating games ever, seeing us batter the Olympic goal, but not getting that elusive second goal, even when we got the chance to score from the penalty spot, unfortunately Jamie Rainford saw his decent effort blocked by the keeper, but the kitchen sink soon followed but their defence got in the way of everything to be fair.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAvvaDiPTQBtuOtDQ-Yy16R84YT9i7LV6IPhSxhHdqjN70Km3TZeh8LyFHdnkbrGGzH_N9kkyWMQHEOR0e07KGSIKF2NcNcFG0J-AlQYFF3fEoW06FaXQ5vUk95dazzbTJXLTz_BsgrQ/s1600/referee-mike-dean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAvvaDiPTQBtuOtDQ-Yy16R84YT9i7LV6IPhSxhHdqjN70Km3TZeh8LyFHdnkbrGGzH_N9kkyWMQHEOR0e07KGSIKF2NcNcFG0J-AlQYFF3fEoW06FaXQ5vUk95dazzbTJXLTz_BsgrQ/s320/referee-mike-dean.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"You'll get 3 crap refs in the first three games Chester!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The performance of the referee was an absolute joke - and probably summed up by the reception the Rushall board - who are a lively (and friendly) bunch, clapped the referee off the pitch with even one shouting "Well done referee" to the man in black - one of the Rushall board was well known from his appearance last season at the Exacta, shouting that we were "big time charlies" and I certainly put him in his place last year but that's another story, we had some very good banter that night, and the same followed this one too, all enjoyable, if a little tiresome knowing the effort that has gone into making Chester FC what it is.<br />
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So a draw in the first game, but good to have it all back again, and all the matchday experience that surrounds it, on the first game we had a CFU presence outside the ground with the chance to renew memberships, and we also had the trophies out on show for fans to have their pictures taken with, and for me that's what's it all about - the fans deserve to enjoy the rewards that have come our way. I really do see Chester FC as the 'People's Club'.<br />
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It's been a long hard week at work too, and mixed in with that has been several phone calls to many people (press and non-press), organising a Swedish national radio station to come down to the FC United game, and also another conversation with Colin Murray - I'll come back to that later!<br />
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In fact, I actually received a text message from Colin whilst standing on the bank behind the goal at Skelmersdale as we set about seeing off a spirited Burscough side, with yet another dodgy refereeing decisison - never a penalty in a million years!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXnOnTQmcX8qSllTGy9w55KzHW65gwVPh6zGMy9m9liLOMmrsQpLRUkfV5IF7bqV9lT0LkFd1doqbUqzMtpVuMYlONvQ9bcnBRRqgdaDvZ_7z5Gna1QzMpZlUL4OY6AJ9NQagtMmD_cc/s1600/stu+pearce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXnOnTQmcX8qSllTGy9w55KzHW65gwVPh6zGMy9m9liLOMmrsQpLRUkfV5IF7bqV9lT0LkFd1doqbUqzMtpVuMYlONvQ9bcnBRRqgdaDvZ_7z5Gna1QzMpZlUL4OY6AJ9NQagtMmD_cc/s320/stu+pearce.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jamie Rainford, the new Stuart Pearce?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Having seen Jamie Rainford step up Stuart Pearce style to hammer home his penalty, I thought right we're in for a hatful tonight, and we did eventually achieve that, but wasn't expecting Burscough to come back into it the way they did. Never a penalty - have I already said that? <br />
<br />
I spent the first half by the dugout, and once again Jimmy Soul was funny to watch, with his disagreements with the officials, he is so so passionate, and love watching his reactions.<br />
<br />
Off to the bank behind the goal for the second half then, and amusing to watch several fans trying to keep their drinks balances whilst running down the bank towards the back of the goal. Concentration on the match was achieved though, and the goals started flying in towards the end, what a great finish from Jerome Wright too!<br />
<br />
So, back home within an hour with our first victory in the bag, and a happy Wednesday it was, completed with a Rustlers and a bottle of wine from the shop!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD28hfBJhAYnCVvgYvgFOBjQLYf2bAoxrWZDyiqpnxpmQsAkacpD-1dk9CGbgvJIyld7ioVvYt1uQ1hidMS5-HWrCRD3mSi9v57DcTYEFf-ESf4Z4Pg6tzJ0Lext6V-R1aZAe5jyJ63HI/s1600/david+evans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD28hfBJhAYnCVvgYvgFOBjQLYf2bAoxrWZDyiqpnxpmQsAkacpD-1dk9CGbgvJIyld7ioVvYt1uQ1hidMS5-HWrCRD3mSi9v57DcTYEFf-ESf4Z4Pg6tzJ0Lext6V-R1aZAe5jyJ63HI/s1600/david+evans.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the best photo David Evans has ever had!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then Thursday, and a bit tired at work, but the football didn't stop,and a read of The Chronicle at breakfast on Thursday morning showed the story that I'd been in touch with Dave Triggs of the Chron about, the £65k award from the Adult & Community Learning Fund - a truly amazing job by fellow Director, David Evans, and the work he has put in on this should not be under-estimated, and quite rightly got a good write up in the Chron on Thursday.<br />
<br />
Thursday afternoon, and at 4pm I left work, to then speak with Colin Murray, who had to ring me back due to being soaked in the London rain, and the call followed, and it was a very good one, we spoke about what we could so with Pat & Perry this season, and there is a belter of an idea on the table for this season, and more about that later, but first Colin had to speak to his producer on the Friday to get the nod.<br />
<br />
Friday at work is usually a slowdown day, but not this Friday, it seemed busier than ever despite the announcement that MBNA would be selling off its UK business, so not the best of weeks, but certainly not a quiet one, and after I finished on Friday, I had a couple of calls to take & make, firstly, a follow up with Colin Murray, and good news, in that his producer had given the nod to the idea that we'd spoken about yesterday - stay tuned for more details, as I can't reveal it at present, but it will be special!<br />
<br />
Then a call to The Guardian, and a discussion around them coming up to the Exacta next Wednesday to do a special feature during the FC United game, so keep an eye out for that as they will be filming outside the ground. That took a good half an hour, before I suddenly realised that I had to leave as Dee 106.3's Friday Night Football Show was on the horizon.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithFQmxcMQy_V2TItlB2NgwqF9AFM_PyNEoea6mL52uDha63godAiV7N2c7EJ9CsLgFWTBEjPrQewblXMjLS5QUvQlrzDzWe9t3S_d1LH91nplFVR3qffJOGcwLWFlbOYPFMZj9WpZDFw/s1600/shane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithFQmxcMQy_V2TItlB2NgwqF9AFM_PyNEoea6mL52uDha63godAiV7N2c7EJ9CsLgFWTBEjPrQewblXMjLS5QUvQlrzDzWe9t3S_d1LH91nplFVR3qffJOGcwLWFlbOYPFMZj9WpZDFw/s200/shane.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ladies love our Shane!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> All attentions turned to the weekend then, and the show on Dee, we'd had a good laugh with the Crossbar Challenge during half time at the Rushall game, and I decided to mix it up a bit and go for the a different challenge to be witnessed at the FCRushall game, and I decided to mix it up a bit and go for the a different challenge to be witnessed at the FC United game, and that was to hit the post from the half way line, so nipped down to Dee 106.3 with Shane & other guest Gary Powell, to get that one up & running. <br />
<br />
I couldn't actually make it to Hednesford on the Saturday, but was glued to Twitter the whole time and was gutted as everyone else when the news came in about Ashley Williams, and then the goal on 88 minutes that condemned us to our first defeat, and also the first time we hadn't scored in a League game away from the Exacta.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNLPsCPUIXAprO5V9Aa0oaxVvGkPL7D87ZGkcM0u1aZJHeCg2wR5Z5Dev4LyRbTF40yDJJ1m54ggt0qOeYNiJhPYBGs_VHbcklLfDInxXv7hg-TnF_qKTU-EF0hUoxHFznTC1ID2vs6k/s1600/red+arrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNLPsCPUIXAprO5V9Aa0oaxVvGkPL7D87ZGkcM0u1aZJHeCg2wR5Z5Dev4LyRbTF40yDJJ1m54ggt0qOeYNiJhPYBGs_VHbcklLfDInxXv7hg-TnF_qKTU-EF0hUoxHFznTC1ID2vs6k/s200/red+arrow.jpg" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RIP Flt Lt Jon Egging</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was also a very sad day as the Red Arrows lost a member of their own team, with the crash down at Bournemouth, and this made me feel quite down on Saturday night knowing that someone who loved his profession didn't just lose his own life, but he actually put his own life ahead of many others when he steered his aircraft away from causing what would have been a devastation below. Football seemed a distant second when watching the footage, and seeing the words from his wife on the news.<br />
<br />
I still had plenty of CFC stuff to do on Saturday night, and if anyone wants to know what it's like to be a football manager of the Blues, and what pressure goes with it, then take an e-mail during the early hours of the morning from Neil Young, who couldn't sleep after the Hednesford match, and a very disappointed Neil Young at that. It was at that point that I thought he's only human like the rest of us, and probably feeling worse than the rest of us about the result.<br />
<br />
Now, we're heading towards another big week of football, and just watching Match of the Day 2, so it all starts again tomorrow, and will be looking forward to Wednesday night's game against FC United, who also lost on Saturday of course at home, and I have to say one of their fans was very quiet after telling the world that they'd scored after 33 seconds, strange that!<br />
<br />
Roll on Wednesday!<br />
<br />
Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-65819328837742105632011-08-12T07:08:00.000+01:002011-08-12T07:08:56.881+01:00Ready to Go!It's the eve of the football season, and all the moan, the groans, punches of delight, dodgy offsides, disallowed goals, and the ups and downs of the football season all get underway again tomorrow, and thank god for that!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntwS99SE1C0k4fSYu6Q0lb7PqNwuiFLwDXKsB1uH8o2J8c-viiLSxdHfmqQFGZTNNxChlptq84znqb6_ZzGF-M8ynb6Bc1chHkM4rq_R7PDVluDPGdiJw7b_JcrjpKJ5nP2wgg2oGG74/s1600/cosmoslg.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntwS99SE1C0k4fSYu6Q0lb7PqNwuiFLwDXKsB1uH8o2J8c-viiLSxdHfmqQFGZTNNxChlptq84znqb6_ZzGF-M8ynb6Bc1chHkM4rq_R7PDVluDPGdiJw7b_JcrjpKJ5nP2wgg2oGG74/s1600/cosmoslg.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chester v New York Cosmos (..almost)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I think we're all a bit friendly-weary now, and ready to start our league campaign - when the results do matter of course. Friendlies have been a bit strange this year, and I do feel disappointed that we were not able to get a Premier League team down here, but unfortunately most of them were flying away from the UK - yet another reason why the big boys don't help the small clubs, as those 2 weeks they could be playing lower teams from their own country rather than swanning off to shores elsewhere in the world - ah well, gripe over, and we'll be trying our best to get some quality opposition in next year. For the record, we had tried (and failed) to get Liverpool, Aston Villa, Everton, Man City, Man Utd, Stoke, and Wigan, amongst others, but had little success. The closest one I guess was Pat's attempt to get the New York Cosmos in for a match ahead of the Paul Scholes testimonial match, that would have been a classic to reveal had it come off, but sadly their players were jetting in to the UK just a few days after 30th July. <br />
<br />
Our friendlies were mucked around of course with the pull out of both Fleetwood & Stockport, which left us reeling a bit as we had to find other opposition very quickly.<br />
<br />
Anyway, glad to see the back of them, and it's time to look ahead now to the bread and butter, as the league gets underway tomorrow, and it's been a busy old week this week, with football yet again dominating everything!<br />
<br />
Last Saturday of course was the friendly against Bangor, and my time to stand in front of the players in the changing room - not to give them a pre match talk you understand - no this was to give them a bit of a media chat, and what I was hoping for them to do to give the fans some good features in both the programme and also the new website which we'll be launching very soon.<br />
<br />
It was a bit never wracking, and I sort of felt like a supply teacher, with the fear of being heckled in their, or thrown into the cold bath - thankfully none of that happened, and they all listened to what I had to say, so thanks lads!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VFPcN07mwgsqtSFGYfU1X6brnGi5K2mg4KnndDzaiuWkjnPZ1L8aKKE3zHlX41sFeCvHuRyODCLQ4BSKsaciznfeZ6vyxBRUGxWGsfdh5n85zJ44sgZqjV7tiUWOXm_bt0SM7GpjxoM/s1600/empty+stand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VFPcN07mwgsqtSFGYfU1X6brnGi5K2mg4KnndDzaiuWkjnPZ1L8aKKE3zHlX41sFeCvHuRyODCLQ4BSKsaciznfeZ6vyxBRUGxWGsfdh5n85zJ44sgZqjV7tiUWOXm_bt0SM7GpjxoM/s1600/empty+stand.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Was this the Bangor massive?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The game last Saturday was a good open one I thought although not impressed whatsoever that we had to open the West Stand for away fans only, based on the fact that Bangor fans had previous - we counted about 49 Bangor fans through the gates, a whole stand opened for 49 people, a stand that had to be stewarded for that very reason, costs costs costs.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the match passed without incident, and an entertaining 2-2 draw was played out, and plenty of talking points from the match with some cracking goals.<br />
<br />
Onto Monday, and after work, and a few e-mails / cfu calls to make, off to the near on 4 hour board meeting - as ever, plenty of things discussed, debated, and actions to be taken by all, most notably to pick up a bottle of wine on the way home, thank god they stayed open late these days!<br />
<br />
Then Tuesday, and another match, this time against Hyde, and this one was very low key, we knew that this game would produce the lowest crowd of pre-season, as I said above, I think we were all fed up of friendlies by now!<br />
<br />
Never have I seen a game where Chester had so many chances in the first ten minutes, and had we taken just one of those chances I reckon we'd have ended up with a different score. I sat with Alan Tarbuck most of the night, discussing the various chances, but it was all positive with the chances being created.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv09NKnTh8-ctOihWFk7cnN5A10POFhskPjiMAtzxxGD1ifAMrhXM45SDCsyc-MMw5jJv47qWHvxqvC97FJVlJBaNacIU-PHty_kMFJ2K4YhXOiiZWhEav366huhINrxqIYLoRTsgQXzk/s1600/newCFCBangor028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv09NKnTh8-ctOihWFk7cnN5A10POFhskPjiMAtzxxGD1ifAMrhXM45SDCsyc-MMw5jJv47qWHvxqvC97FJVlJBaNacIU-PHty_kMFJ2K4YhXOiiZWhEav366huhINrxqIYLoRTsgQXzk/s320/newCFCBangor028.JPG" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cracking finish by Simmo...</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Then a cracking goal by Simmo, who exchanged passes with Alex Brown before picking out the corner of the net, and we seemed set for a win, until two goals in a short space of time turned the game on its head, and we were all of a sudden losing our 3rd game of pre-season, totally undeservedly in my view.<br />
<br />
Onto Wednesday, and a chance to key some more CFU membership forms, we're now heading towards 2000 which is a great achievement considering it's difficult to retain members when things are going well as it's the nature of the beast that when things are going wrong, i.e. crisis times, people tend to pull together more, but I'll keep on banging the drum as the more people that join, the better.<br />
<br />
Thursday, and time for the Seals Podcast to return, and I'd been delighted to accept an invite to the first show back, I remember when I sat on the very first show last season, with Tom Jones, and we both thought this could go places, and boy did it!<br />
<br />
Last night also featured the Bellis Brothers, sounds like a 70's tribute band that, but no, Richard & Neil have come up with a new fanzine, called "The Blue & White" and I've had some interaction with the two lads, who have put a great deal of effort into the new mag, which is out in time for the FC United game on August 24th.<br />
<br />
Looking forward to seeing the result of their efforts, and hopefully it will successfully follow in the footsteps of Hello Albert & The Onion Bag, which became legendary fanzines at Chester.<br />
<br />
I did some dodgy predictions in last night's live podcast, from memory I think I said 2-0 v Rushall (Simm first scorer), 5-0 v Burscough (Horan first goal), 1-0 Hednesford (was it Wright first goal?), and 3-2 v FC United, although my enthusiasm got the better of me here and I predicted Robbie Booth would score the winning goal in the 90th minute, I forgot we were supposed to go for the first scorer!<br />
<br />
It's now Friday morning, and plenty to do today whilst at work, all done in breaks of course (!) - press pass requests to deal with, also the match schedule for tomorrow to draw up - we've got a Junior Blues Guard of Honour tomorrow, and also the visit of Ray Crofts, who without any doubt was our last popular chairman (at least one who didn't turn on the club's own fans!), so it will be great to see him back!<br />
<br />
Til tomorrow then!<br />
<br />
<br />
Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-79697437241994627182011-08-03T07:11:00.001+01:002011-08-03T07:13:36.135+01:00Tyre Pressure & the Power of Twitter!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.aa1car.com/library/tire_blowout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.aa1car.com/library/tire_blowout.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not my actual car!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Last night, I was hoping for a nice quaint trip to Stalybridge for the game against 'Celtic' and so after finishing work a little later than planned, I still managed to make an early start from Chester, looking forward to the game and catching up with Jim Harvey.<br />
<br />
All had been going well, listening to Talk Sport on the way, with the usual controversial subject of the day being very entertaining, and then time to make a few phone calls - hands free of course - and whilst on the phone to one just heading past the M6 junction, an almighty bang, then the worst case of vibrations experienced since the Ann Summers shop opened up in Chester!<br />
<br />
Luckily I was in the slow lane, as I had to pull on to the hard shoulder, and with every bang you do of course think that your car has given up the will to live - especially when it's a 10 year old Saxo, but hey it's only done 30k miles (hence the reason why I bought it!), but when something goes wrong with a car I always fear the worst.<br />
<br />
So, stepped out to assess the damage and thankfully the engine hadn't gone - always my first concern, and then looked down to a sorry looking front wheel which had pretty much exploded!<br />
<br />
So, being the car mechanic that I am certainly not, I surveyed the damage and though, "shit, I may have to change this" - now I'm not the most gifted when it comes to cars, and all previous cars of mine have had a spare wheel safely stored away in the boot, but this one...underneath - hmmmm.<br />
<br />
I got back in the car to gather my thoughts, and thought I'd send a tweet looking for assistance - out of hope more than anything else! Unfortunately in the Saxo, I'd not got breakdown cover - typical, if I'd used the other car, I would have had.<br />
<br />
With lorries and cars breezing past me at speeds of over 70mph, and my arse twitching as each one went past, I decided to make a couple of calls, the first was unsuccessful, then the next would be using one of those emergency phones on the road that I thought I would never use!<br />
<br />
As soon as I picked the phone up it was ringing, cool. Then answered straight away by a fella from the Highways Agency who then told me that no-one could come out to fix it, but they would tow me to a garage to sort it out tomorrow, with the match at Stalybridge kicking off in just 90 minutes, being towed to a garage was not on my radar - but it would have been completely off the radar if what happened next hadn't happened.<br />
<br />
On my way back from the Highways Agency phone - who by the way told me that I had 2 hours to remove my car from the hard shoulder or it would be towed away anyway, and charged for it in the process, all this whilst seemingly standing in an infestation of ants - the kind that looked like those off I'm a Celebrity, in fact I ended up showing more footy skills than David Beckham booting them away!<br />
<br />
So, I decided that I'd try and make a few calls to avoid being ripped off, and on the way back from the phone had a black Vauxhall Corsa blast past me tooting their horn (thanks Jay!), and then when I'd given up all hope, up popped a Blue car, and it was none other then the Whelans, and Matty had checked out his Twitter to see that I was stranded - okay, I'd had a tyre pop, but to me anyway I was stranded!<br />
<br />
Thankfully out popped Steve from his car, and came over to help me with my problem, and ten minutes later the wheel had been replaced, he made it look so easy, and it probably was to him and any other like minded person, but to me it was a nightmare.<br />
<br />
I managed to drive off and take my time, and thankfully get to Stalybridge in good time - thank god I'd set off early - and arrived to be offered a cuppa by one of the home officials, but instead all I wanted was a sink so I could wash!!<br />
<br />
Being the Tweeter for the night for ChesterFC it was then time to quickly pick up the team sheet, but as Paul Wheelock from the Chron had already tweeted the team news, I decided to take the easy way out and retweet it - yep, the lazy option.<br />
<br />
In fact the rest of the evening it became a battle of who could get the match news out the quickest, but Paul won it hands down - and I gave in due to the fact that typing on a pc is much better and quicker than typing out tweets on a HTC phone, especially one that was rather annoying on the predictive text!<br />
<br />
So, the match was a fairly open one, and two goals in the first half did the damage, and that damage also ensured my final bodge of the night, when what was supposed to be my final tweet of the night I stated that we'd won the second half 1-0, completely forgetting that we'd actually drawn it - oh well!!<br />
<br />
So, all in all a nice evening weather wise in Stalybridge, complete with a king sized sausage & bacon bap for £2.80, which more than made up for the result last night.<br />
<br />
Next stop...Bangor City - thank god that's at home though!<br />
<br />
Thanks to The Whelan's for being the (Blue and) White Knights of the Road last night!Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-72672443384272208562011-07-28T07:10:00.002+01:002011-07-28T08:22:13.227+01:00A warm return to the Sunny ExactaWell following a very difficult week personally in the Banks household, it was a case of getting suited and booted again on Tuesday night for the Southport friendly, and getting back in to the swing of things, it was the first game I’d been at since the Tranmere win. <br />
<br />
It was a pretty warm evening again, so it felt quite hot in the ‘ill-fitting Matalan suit’ – and as soon as I was through the doors it was time to get straight into it and get into work-mode but at the football. First to meet the Southport officials who were in the Boardroom, nice people. Then, off to see how our media peeps were, and a quick chat with them to see how things were progressing, especially Blues Live, who are getting bigger and bigger this season, and with the support from the Chester FC Exiles, the product should become better and better as time goes on. <br />
<br />
A quick chat followed with Cleggy and also Dan Burns, who will be taking to the pitch for the pre match / half time entertainment we have planned this season at the Exacta, and as Dan is connected to the club’s media side already via the Seals Podcast, it gives us an extra dimension, and hopefully Dan will be able to bring some of those top 10 players of the Decade that was announced on the podcast recently. <br />
<br />
The media side of the club will start to gear up again for the start of the season, with hopefully some more interviews with Colin Murray along the way, and also more coverage on other outlets. The Friday Night Football Show is expected to make its return on Friday 12th August, the eve of the new season of course, so keep your ears out for that one, with no doubt a Cilo Green (sp) or Take That tune thrown in too!<br />
<br />
As always with most friendly matches, the atmosphere was pretty low key, more akin to a nice evening in the sunshine, and enjoying that, but that all came to halt as Wildey suffered his shoulder injury, so I went down to see what was happening following the long lingering trudge off the pitch, and it was obviously a shoulder problem, and to say he was gutted in the treatment room was an understatement.<br />
<br />
Will Osborne and the paramedics were certainly kept busy, and the decision was made to send him to hospital, not what we wanted to see, but neither was the bump sticking up out of his shoulder!<br />
<br />
Having text him yesterday morning, Wildey is definitely gutted about what appears to be a lengthy lay off, but he's asked me to thank everyone who has sent him good wishes, hopefully we'll see him back sooner rather than later, but what it does do is open the door of opportunity for the other strikers at the club, and we'll certainly be expecting them to step up to the plate.<br />
<br />
The match itself was disappointing too with Southport taking the lead on the stroke of half time, but there was such a great chance to level things up through Jerome Wright in the second half, and I think we all held our head in our hands when that went over the bar!<br />
<br />
Southport then took a grip on the match, and there was no way back for us, but as I pointed out to others, we lost 2 pre season friendlies last season and went on to win the League, so I'll settle for the same again, but would prefer it if we just lost the one game in pre season this time around.<br />
<br />
So, back in to the swing of things again, and plenty going on as we build up to August 13th.<br />
<br />
One thing last night annoyed me, and that was the ridiculous post on DevaChat concerning Gary Kent, with the poster claiming:<br />
<br />
<em>Mr Gary Kent treated with such contempt by Chester FC officials/directors can no longer be an employee of Chester FC (CDHT) from September.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Mr Kent has seen more owners and directors come and go than the current board put together yet cannot agree with what is currently happening at the club. </em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>I feel the supporters do not own this club - a select few have made it their own.</em><br />
<br />
Well all I can say is that this post is laughable and downright insulting, and after a reply I decided to log off DC for the rest of the night. I remember I had an honest chat with Gary Kent when the original CFU boycott was taking place, and when he wasn't being paid by SV. We had a good hour on the phone one night as Gary couldn't see why we were boycotting home games, but after the reasons were pointed out, and our plans - which included keeping Gary on as Groundsman - he saw what we were trying to do, and following that conversation, I had a number of good chats with Gary and how he was pleased how things were going.<br />
<br />
This post also came as a surprise to me, as only at the board meeting on Monday night were the board advised that Gary was retiring in September - I think it's fair to say we were all surprised, but we all appreciate what Gary has done in the last few decades as Groundsman, and we'll certainly give him a great send off, but "treated with contempt" and "cannot agree with what is happening at the club" are just way, way off the mark.<br />
<br />
The supporters do certainly own this club, and many are helping in their own way to run it, volunteering their own services in various places of the club, maybe the original poster should stand for election to the board and then he could see just how much we appreciate everyone's help in running the club the way it should be. Maybe he could sit in the office taking calls, maybe he could pick up rubbish after the match, maybe he could clean the toilets, maybe he could help behind the bar, maybe he could help in the club shop, maybe he could help by being a steward, maybe he could jump inside the BiG Lupus outfit, maybe he could help stuff envelopes, maybe he could run around like a blue arsed fly on match days making sure that everything is going according to plan. We may be the ones in suits on match days, and that's because we are making sure this club looks and acts professional, but believe me, we are 200% appreciative of everyone's role at Chester FC, and there are nearly 2000 owners of the club, who I'm sure are extremely proud of it.<br />
<br />
Don't you just dislike people that try to put the club down at every opportunity?<br />
<br />
To that poster, try getting off your arse and doing something positive for the club. Many have done, and many will still do, and all take pride in what they do to help. They have been insulted by this remark too.<br />
<br />
Right, off my soap box now, I'm going to work...great.Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-69234696015154414362011-07-20T07:06:00.000+01:002011-07-20T07:06:28.664+01:00Friday Night Football to return to the Exacta!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6an_qwtvhLylE0BECvI0wFRk-REfVJXI0dHx9FvkXZQL7H0b6grXeZuhVCTXXYAs3jB_XekfwvIbWbEop_e0vijGOYA2QrTCWHGrFTG8ENtW0VwM3ypCP3IMYeI3vOCZZj2vC24oVRMw/s1600/BB-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6an_qwtvhLylE0BECvI0wFRk-REfVJXI0dHx9FvkXZQL7H0b6grXeZuhVCTXXYAs3jB_XekfwvIbWbEop_e0vijGOYA2QrTCWHGrFTG8ENtW0VwM3ypCP3IMYeI3vOCZZj2vC24oVRMw/s200/BB-17.jpg" t$="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Superb goal by Joe Ormrod</td></tr>
</tbody></table>What a week it's been, sadly I missed the FC United match due to being away in London all weekend for Mrs B's birthday weekend, but kept in touch via the Twitter feed, and was delighted to see that the lads kept up the 100% pre season record, with a 'come from behind' win - and even better to see that Joe Ormrod scored a cracker on his debut after making the step up from Chester FC Youth last week. <br />
<br />
The weekend also saw our pre-season plans being disrupted, thanks to a couple of teams. First of all after setting up a match against Fleetwood on July 23rd - they then ended up going and setting up a match of their own on July 22nd, which made it plainly obvious that they were then only going to send their young kids, something that we were not prepared to see as a fixture, and so the fixture was pulled.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01114/dietmar-hamann_1114701c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01114/dietmar-hamann_1114701c.jpg" t$="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are you Phil Thompson in disguise?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>All through July there has been much discussion over the Stockport friendly, and it's fair to say that we were 'monitoring their situation' very closely indeed - we all know who was 'rumoured' to be linked to their club, but you can go changing fixtures around without knowing full facts, and Didi Hamann confirmed that despite cancelling other away friendlies, he wanted the Chester match to go ahead. <br />
<br />
That match would have been discussed further in time, but then Stockport then advised us that they were pulling out of the game, quite insulting really knowing that it didn't leave much time to sort out another game, bear in mind that 99% of teams already have a friendly set up for that date - shame we didn't book Accrington Stanley in instead hey!<br />
<br />
People will ask why we need to play so many games at home, it's simple, we have money to raise in our pre-season games as part of our budget, so to have pre-season messed around the way it has been is rather annoying not just to us, but to Neil Young who will have been gearing his team up for these friendlies.<br />
<br />
It's not been easy to get friendlies booked in against the 'big' teams, with many of them sorting out their schedules well in advance, and despite us requesting 'glamour' friendlies against some big clubs, it just hasn't happened for one reason or another this year, although a large part of that is the fact that virtually every Premier League club has left the UK for a tour elsewhere, and the further they travel the longer they need to prepare & recover, hence the lack of dates available, but again it's something we'll look at for next year, and I'm confident that we'll have a friendly or two against Premier League opposition next season.<br />
<br />
We have of course a game now against Airbus on Friday night, and one to look forward to, it will certainly be one for Ash Williams to look forward to given his move from The Wingmakers last year, and another good chance for fans to see the Chester lads who are doing well this time round as well, and it showed how much the lads want this, by their performances against Tranmere & FCUM (okay, I'm basing my thoughts on FCUM from the NATV clips, but it looked like we were up for it!). <br />
<br />
Looking forward to getting back to it all on Friday night, and hopefully a third win in a row for the Blues!Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-83287482156633641242011-07-14T06:57:00.000+01:002011-07-14T06:57:23.058+01:00Football's back at the Exacta!After what seems an eternity, football eventually re-appeared at the Exacta Stadium on Tuesday night with a visit from an extremely strong Tranmere Rovers side.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OoqnGUqcqspf3OeQMlMSIX1PVlWA-ckbvjhb9TFfPJihaOGLtO2wS9Xf-ZKZ7kNKdx5AXnQzoUaZITgSKAqUN0Zwux_1y1SLAXP8qKKphYuA2j9xVjYHJO3Jeb7yfkrnxae59NbzbwA/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OoqnGUqcqspf3OeQMlMSIX1PVlWA-ckbvjhb9TFfPJihaOGLtO2wS9Xf-ZKZ7kNKdx5AXnQzoUaZITgSKAqUN0Zwux_1y1SLAXP8qKKphYuA2j9xVjYHJO3Jeb7yfkrnxae59NbzbwA/s320/IMG_0035.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exacta looking good again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was great to get back in to the swing of things, although with all the planning and meetings taken place in the summer so far, it doesn't actually feel like we've stopped or had a break, but everyone - including me - felt the excitement of seeing the lads and in particular the new signings, on the lavish green grass at the Exacta.<br />
<br />
They didn't let us down either with a good performance that saw them take the game to Rovers, remembering that Tranmere were four leagues higher than us, and what a goal from Wes Baynes to clinch the win...stunning!<br />
<br />
The preparations for pre-season have been going on for a while of course, and we have been trying to secure a pre-season friendly against Premier League opposition, but so far have been unsuccessful with most as they just don't seem to be able to fit us in to their hectic schedules - talks are still ongoing with a couple of them, but they may not come off this year, there is still a small possibility of it happening though, so I won't write it off completely.<br />
<br />
We have of course got many home games in our pre-season line up and that will of course benefit the players - in particular the new lads - as they'll be able to get used to match conditions on the fantastic surface at the Exacta, again great credit to Gary Kent & CDHT for helping out there - it certainly looked good the other night.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4TrVHcRAVk8tZjtlnunUkNrruFPzGUc1TRcp3LBDKFjfrYuiVfJjaa_qwIKWASI6oJYROUk_MeWX1jKm4mNGYjJhEC0i6KulgDWEsqKVYYWmXKD5WnaPbGVOPNrjUSZvakiTul45wos/s1600/Hapsford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4TrVHcRAVk8tZjtlnunUkNrruFPzGUc1TRcp3LBDKFjfrYuiVfJjaa_qwIKWASI6oJYROUk_MeWX1jKm4mNGYjJhEC0i6KulgDWEsqKVYYWmXKD5WnaPbGVOPNrjUSZvakiTul45wos/s320/Hapsford.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BiG Lupus - a bit hot!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Off the field we've been very busy still at the club, and appearances at various fetes and events such as Chester Events, Blacon/Hapsford/Lache fetes, and many more to come - all promoting the Club and City Fans United/Junior Blues - it's all very important to keep that up - although I think BiG Lupus may have shed several stones in the last few weeks with the heat, in fact I think he may go onto the opposite of the Atkins Diet to build him up a little bit again! <br />
<br />
It was great to see Andy Donaldson & BiG Storage sponsoring BiG Lupus again, Andy has certainly put his money where his mouth is since we reformed, and is a great credit to the Chester Business Community.<br />
<br />
There have been a few changes around too based on fans comments, we have taken on board suggestions to have beer available inside the ground during matches, and we were hoping to start trialling that on Tuesday against Tranmere, but thanks to a delivery that never turned up, we were unable to start it, but it should be fine for the match against Fleetwood on the 23rd, which incidentally is our Chester FC Community Day, in which we hope to have the Army, Fire & Rescue, Police, and the North West Ambulance Service amongst others exhibiting in the Car Park, whilst there will be the chance to have a go at the Soccer Speed Shot, something to test your footie skills out on, and also the Chester FC Youth will be giving you the chance to take part in a penalty shoot out before you head into the Exacta. It all gets underway at 10am on the 23rd.<br />
<br />
So, back to Tuesday, and I must admit it felt good putting the blue & white tie on again, the first time since the Town Hall celebration at the back end of May, but here we go again, maybe the start of another memorable season - let's hope so.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXHDDHYkIQqc7l-u26GlY-K51gYdZM9WnSeQgpgMZTDlMgv17sxMN_E_W9V2GpV7u5JcqfVmy0DI6bJLIR5k1W0JsSzkW7oSRJzOzGZQynFUrOX0fPkFPvcPSijztzVlxO8adrPUhKRk/s1600/trana-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXHDDHYkIQqc7l-u26GlY-K51gYdZM9WnSeQgpgMZTDlMgv17sxMN_E_W9V2GpV7u5JcqfVmy0DI6bJLIR5k1W0JsSzkW7oSRJzOzGZQynFUrOX0fPkFPvcPSijztzVlxO8adrPUhKRk/s320/trana-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you hear me Cleggy?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The plan for the match day entertainment is always low key on the pre-season friendlies, and all we had planned for the half time sequence was the draw for 2 tickets to the Manor House Stables Box at Chester Racecourse, and that was going to be drawn by Tom Dascombe, successful trainer, but there was no plan for me to even talk at half time, but just as I was leaving the house I got a phone call from Jim Harvey asking if he could bring along 2 former Chester City players to the game, so naturally I said if we can get them on the pitch for a quick interview then yes!<br />
<br />
And so, they did - to their credit, they looked as nervous as hell, so I kept the questions brief, as I said I wasn't planning to speak at all, but that all changed!<br />
<br />
The sound system has long been a bug bear, and there were plenty of faults with it pre match - largely due to the fact that there had been so many Community games played in May, and plenty will I'm sure have fiddled with sound level buttons, which left Cleggy all over the place when he opened up, and plenty of microphone screeches, so for anyone blaming him, please think again, it really wasn't his fault!<br />
<br />
What made it even harder for him was the fact that a team sheet had been provided, but when the substitutes were being made, the numbers didn't correspond with the actual players, and some didn't even have a number at all, which as you can imagine threw him into total confusion, as it would with anyone else, we were talking whilst one sub was taking place, and I jokingly suggested that we should get the Tranmere fans to sing the name of the player coming on, thankfully we didn't do that!<br />
<br />
Although when the Chester substitution happened, and he changed the name about five times, I went in to the PA room and gave him the Alan Sugar look, and said, "Cleggy, it's with regret, you're fired!" - all jokingly of course, as the job he does is very good, and not just about talking in that room, he gets a lot of requests thrown at him in a short space of time, plus it's boiling in that little room!<br />
<br />
So back to the game again, and I thought we did well in the first half, more than matching Tranmere, and putting some good moves together, and particularly liked the free kick that caught them cold, but sadly Powelly couldn't get it past their keeper, and the chance had gone.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAJnZc5u8M-0mREl3D1fgjMTMfn5TacydOSPruIrJysDLzbtctKWhFhCZ3b2L6TcMS-syW7aKdmHznFG_4ufYII8wrF5MC8A2OC3xSLqt4gMchclzMeWPW_Aw886iI4sXF9UByUaPHOY/s1600/trana-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAJnZc5u8M-0mREl3D1fgjMTMfn5TacydOSPruIrJysDLzbtctKWhFhCZ3b2L6TcMS-syW7aKdmHznFG_4ufYII8wrF5MC8A2OC3xSLqt4gMchclzMeWPW_Aw886iI4sXF9UByUaPHOY/s320/trana-7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baynes...Boom!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Wildey was doing his usual role in shrugging off the defenders and making his way into the box and was unlucky not to score, but score was something Wes Baynes did, and what a way to score too, picking up a loose ball from 25 yards out before hammering one into the top corner, a great way to introduce yourself to the Chester fans, and especially after coming to the Blues from the dark side too, perfect way to start.<br />
<br />
Tranmere had a couple of chance but bar the late flurry you always felt that we were in control of the game, and when the final whistle went, Les Parry came up to wish us all well, fair play he's a nice bloke, and of course was the first person to agree to a friendly last season when I was with him on Colin Murray's live show in Liverpool University.<br />
<br />
Following the match, there were a few jobs to do, and great to see the Lounge was full of potential sponsors for next season, and a very successful night was had up there and many put themselves down for match sponsorship for the new season, and I'm sure Pat will reveal just how much in Saturday's programme, but there was certainly a large smile on his face!<br />
<br />
Well that will do it for now, as got to get ready for work, but just time to refer to a nice little piece in the latest issue of When Saturday Comes, where they have a feature of fan owned clubs, and a nice picture of the open top bus in May.<br />
<br />
More good publicity!Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-72177480515017257812011-07-06T07:24:00.000+01:002011-07-06T07:24:19.577+01:00Chester FC 2010-11 Part 4<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yXUygvh2O4Y?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-35061803787736155062011-06-17T19:50:00.000+01:002011-06-17T19:50:02.309+01:00Chester FC 2010-11 part 1<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7g5SzU9Jn7c?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-84742010901751231642011-06-17T19:49:00.000+01:002011-06-17T19:49:36.253+01:00Chester FC 2010-11 Part 2<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2NazKfmuuyM?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366944526502059797.post-85719992449251681432011-06-17T19:48:00.000+01:002011-06-17T19:48:33.513+01:00Chester FC 2010 11 part 3<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dCR_Hv8VRcs?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com0