It started with a murmur… after a nil-nil result for caretaker player-manager captain Tim Ryan (you know I enjoyed typing that), the player spoke of his future plans: “I’d love to stop playing as I enjoy being on the side line,” said Ryan without any irony.
“I enjoy coaching and it’s something I want to do in the future.
“Whether now is the time I don’t know. But if I’m playing Saturday and not managing I’ll give my all as captain.”
City’s eleventh boss in 8 years will take on the aforementioned Ryan as his number Two.
Harvey, who had a brief spell as Chester’s youth coach, was strongly linked with Cambridge United in the summer.
He was sacked by Forest Green in August for a “serious breach of contract”, after being strongly linked with the summer vacancy at Cambridge United.But his first job in management at Morecambe lasted 12 years, ending only because of a heart attack in 2006.
An upbeat Harvey spoke to the press: “It’s a challenge when you’re not working – so from that point of view I’m glad to be back working again,
“I’m under no illusions – this is going to be a tough job. Certainly with the points deduction, it’s not going to make it any easier.”
“To be actually out working and working with a team again will be great.”
Chester City FC Blue Square Premiership Result
Saturday 10th October 2009
Chester City 0 – 1 Rushden & Diamonds
(Tomlin 4)
A very early goal from Lee Tomlin spoilt Jim Harvey’s opening game as Chester’s new boss.
Chester tried, with both Mark Beesley and Greg Blundell shooting off-target.
“On occasions, some of the football and the way we moved it through midfield was very good. It was encouraging.
“As we didn’t create that many chances, I don’t think they created that many chances either.
“Rushden are one of the stronger teams in the league and I would think in another three or four weeks’ time we’ll be quite happy to play against a Rushden.”
Chester City FC: played 15, won 2, drawn 7, lost 6, GD -8, points -13, position 24th
Monday the 12th October saw Chester City Football Club announce that they would no longer be appealing against their points deduction, as they cannot afford to fight to get the 15-point penalty back.
New chairman Ian Anderson said: “If we were strong financially, I’d say let’s spend £100,000 and take on the appeal.
“But the money now needs to stay in Chester City Football Club.”
Days later on the 15th a new group, formed by Chester City fans, came forward with hopes to safeguard the future of the Club.
The new City Fans United (CFU) is a merger of Chester City Supporters Trust and the Independent Supporters Association.
CFU chairman Michael Poole said: “The club almost went bust in August and we weren’t ready to step in. If it happens again, we hope to have the money to buy it.
“Our Plan A is for the owner, the board and the whole club to get its act together and start to work with fans, the local community and the council.
We don’t want to go head to head with anybody at the club. There have been mistakes made in the past but we cannot change that – we want to look to the future”
A day later and Jim Harvey made more moves in the loan market: Barnsley striker Michael Coulson has come in on a one-month loan.
Blackburn Rovers reserve defender Johnny Flynn is to come in on a similar loan deal.
Following the return of Mark Beesley to the Deva last week, that takes Harvey’s signings to three in the 10 days since his appointment.
Chester City FC Blue Square Premiership Result
Saturday 17th October 2009
Gateshead 0 – 1 Chester City FC
(Beesley 56)
In his second start since his return to Chester Football Club, striker Mark Beesley gets his first goal and his club gets their first away win of the campaign.
City hung on following the goal ten minutes into the second half, although ex-Chester player Daryl Clare came close to draw Gateshead level.
City almost went in front in the first minute when Anthony Barry’s shot was tipped over, as was an attempt by Beesley.
However, but for Clare’s efforts, Gateshead didn’t have that much to trouble the visitors. It now means that Chester City have achieved a double this season over the North East team.
It also means that City’s only away defeat so far was the one against Blue Square Premier favourites Oxford United.
A happy Jim Harvey praised matchwinner Mark Beesley: “Mark’s very intelligent and he can find space well.
“He uses his intelligence and linked up with Anthony Barry and Clark Keltie. Some of the football was top draw.
“In the first half the football was top class. If we had come in 3-0 up at half-time, that would have been a truer reflection of the performance.”
Chester City owner Stephen Vaughan spoke out on the 22nd October insisting that the club will clear their debts once they have been paid money owed to them.
City have been warned that they may be expelled from the Football Conference if they do not repay debts owed by Monday 26th.
Vaughan pointed out that the Football League and the Conference still owe the club outstanding monies: “I want to know when our debtors are going to pay us,
“The Football League owe us £99,965 from our parachute payments, as part of the parachute payment of £225,000.
“The Conference owe us £35,000 - £5,000 being part of the central funding and £30,000 being from the Premier League gift.”
Chester City FC FA Cup Fourth Round Qualifier Result
Saturday 24th October 2009
Barrow 1 – 1 Chester City FC
(Rutherford ) (Flynn 16)
Chester old boy Paul Rutherford forces an FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay, scoring Barrow’s equaliser.
Chester City looked on course for the first round after Johnny Flynn opened the scoring after quarter of an hour, and despite going close a few times Barrow had to wait until halfway through the second half to get back.
And they could have nicked all three points but for a bad, late miss by Jon Shaw.
Chester had their share of decent openings before the Barrow leveller, loanees Mark Beesley and Michael Coulson both wasting their chances.
A content manager Jim Harvey said: “We had to dig in and we did. For half an hour of the second half we were on top,
“We wanted the win, but it didn’t happen. There are still a lot of positives I can take.”
Better news off the pitch – or a stay of execution – as Chester City are given a debt extension, three further weeks to repay monies owed out.
The club’s initial deadline was on Monday 26th October, but this has now been extended to 16th November.
“All parties are working together in an attempt to preserve the future of Chester City FC,” the league said.
City failed to pay Wrexham for away ticket sales and owe Vauxhall Motors for the loan of Paul Taylor.
Chester City FC FA Cup Fourth Round Qualifier Replay Result
Tuesday 27th October 2009
(Bond 73, 77,
Walker 75
Cook 90)
Chester City’s next match is on Saturday 31st October against AFC Wimbledon at Deva Stadium.
Chester City FC Fixtures 2009 – 2010
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“But at Chester we have 17 players and we’re short on the ground really.
“For a team that you’d expect to battle their way out of trouble – I don’t think we have that type of player in the squad. So I’m having to assess it quickly whether we can introduce my style of play to them.
“As time goes on I think I’d have to influence them that way – to play football and play their way out.”
Two days later and two more not-exactly-new faces arrive: Ian Anderson was appointed Chester City chairman and former striker Mark Beesley returns from Cambridge on loan.
Owner Stephen Vaughan will not take a position on the new City board.
Anderson was pleased to take the reins: “I am relishing the chance of getting more involved on a day-to-day basis.
“I am looking forward to working with Jim Harvey and Tim Ryan and now we want to take the club forward and create stability at the Deva Stadium.”
