Archived News from February 2010
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CHESTER EXPELLED, STAGS LIKELY TO LOSE 6 POINTS
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Here is how the expunging of Chester's results will affect the league table (though changes to the table will not be activated until any right of appeal process has expired or such appeal dealt with).
(placings are based on current position, ie. based on old points) The Stags will be 7 points behind the play-off places, instead of 2 points behind. In my estimation, we will need 11 wins from the final 14 games. If I'm right that we need 11 wins from our last 14 games, then history is not on our side. We have never in our history (since joining the league in 1932) won as many as 11 of the last 14 games of any season. In other words, we've gone from being right in the thick of the play-off pack, to needing the best finish to a season in our history. Still, it can be done. Come on Mansfield! Martin (PS. warning - beware of incorrect tables drawn up elsewhere) ------------ Football Conference Statement on Chester City FC 26 February 2010, 13:07:00 The Board of the Football Conference has issued a statement following the meeting of member clubs at Rushden & Diamonds on Friday morning. The statement reads: “Member clubs of the Football Conference, at a general meeting held today, voted in support of the Board of Director's recommendation to erase Chester City (2004) FC Ltd from membership in accordance with Article 5.2. Chester City did not attend the meeting. --------------------- Updated Statement on Chester City FC 26 February 2010, 17:18:00 Following the general meeting the Board of the Football Conference convened and declared in line with Football Conference Rule 13.9 that Chester City's record in the Blue Square Premier this season will be expunged. The resultant changes to the table which will affect other club records will not be activated until any right of appeal process has expired or such appeal dealt with. For avoidance of doubt, Chester City FC can only appeal against the original decision of the Board in relation to Football Conference Rule 8.6 which relates to their recommendation to member clubs. There can be no direct appeal via the Football Association in respect of the decision by member clubs relating to Article 5.2. Chester City FC, although having the right to make a presentation to the member clubs against the recommendation, did not attend the meeting. Friday's events are unparalleled in the history of our national sport and it is with much regret these circumstances have evolved. The Football Conference are saddened that any club should meet such a fate and it sympathises with those who hold the club dear to their hearts, especially after a proud heritage of 125 years. Whilst the decision of member clubs was taken in respect of the club failing to fulfil fixtures, behind these failures is a lesson to every club at whatever level they participate. Clubs have to live within their means and financial prudence can be the only way forward. ------------------ Stags chairman remains defiant over promotion hopes Evening Post DEFIANT Mansfield Town chairman Andy Perry insists the club's play-off hopes are alive – despite having six points wiped off their tally following Chester's expulsion from the Football Conference. City were kicked out at a meeting at Rushden and Diamonds yesterday as the required 75 per cent share of the vote to take action was received from member clubs. The Stags were one of few who voted to keep the Blues in the league because they stood to lose ground on their rivals. A 1-0 win at the Deva Stadium in August and a 4-0 thumping in the return at Field Mill have now been wiped off the records. It means Mansfield drop back to 47 points, while the likes of Luton lose just two points to go to 54. Perry (right) admits it is a setback for the Stags, but points out their destiny is still in their own hands with most of the top sides still to play. "We were hoping things would go our way, but the important thing now is that we put it behind us," said Perry. "We have a very important game at Hayes and Yeading today and another against Luton on Tuesday. It's a very important four days. "A lot of teams have only played Chester once and some not at all, so we are the big losers. But there are positives. "We now have games in hand on some teams and no-one will have an easy three points against Chester to come. "It is still up to us whether we make the play-offs or not." Perry was amazed that Chester did not turn up to vote. He said: "If Chester had used their vote then, who knows, it might have made a difference." -------------- taken from HOLKER STREET NEWSLETTER 2381 - 28 FEBRUARY 2010: Thought this might be of interest - a report from a representative of one of the clubs at today's conference meeting. I've highlighted a couple of (already known) examples of how the 'representatives' of the Club covered themselves in glory. There were no actual figures quoted other than the 75% required to ratify the decision was reached. It was a very easy decision to reach and possibly could have been unanimous, but as representatives of the membership we were not told how the voting actually went. Every Blue Square Premier club was represented, even though both Barrow and Grays did arrive late. Chester were given an opportunity to come to the meeting to put their case and chose not to. Chester's non-attendance was clearly viewed by many marginal clubs as the final nail in the coffin. Their next opponents were due to be Oxford United, who were assured that Chester would stage the game. However, the Chester police couldn't guarantee that they could police the game especially as it involved a large number of away fans. Therefore any such assurance didn't seem to count for much. The chairman of Forest Green also pointed out when Chester failed to turn up for that game that Chester lied about intending travel even after 5pm. There have also been clearly a number of other issues where Chester have either lied to the Conference Board or just not been able to provide the necessary information. The Conference Board did not (elaborate) too much on these. During a good debate, a number of clubs put many constructive questions to ensure the best interests of all parties were considered. It was mentioned that the players had not been paid for four months. I asked if the Conference had considered Chester playing their home games at the away team's venue with a percentage of the gate going to pay the players and coach company. This was dismissed out of hand by the Conference Board on the basis that it was not within the competition rules. An interesting attitude to people trying to earn a living in my opinion! There were also questions asked about clubs who would be losing revenue as a result of Chester not visiting their venue and compensation for travel costs of away teams who had visited Chester. The Conference Board said that this was unlikely. I would be very disappointed if the Conference did not have some contingency fund for such situations. Very clearly everyone attending the meeting saw the day as a very sad day for football. I hope I have given you some insight into the tone of the meeting which lasted around an hour and a half. Let that be the last shameful episode committed in the name of Chester City Football Club. Time to look forward to a club run on the basis of decency, honesty and respect. ------------- |
Latest | February 2010