Latest Chester FC News
It took quite a while in coming but the latest Chester FC news announcement is the appointment of new joint managers. I suppose when you are looking to make such an important decision you are best to take your time and get it right. Let’s hope Chester FC have got it right. Admittedly I am not a Chester FC supporter but I do follow their fortunes and the latest Chester FC news. I must say, when I heard about the appointment of joint managers the other day, like probably so many I said, “Who?”
Latest Chester FC News
Latest Chester FC News
Now having researched a bit more, it looks like Chester FC’s appointment Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson is quite a coup. Until last week Morley and Johnson were joint managers of the successful Salford City. In case you didn’t know, Salford City convincingly won the Vanarama National League North this season just ended. I say convincingly as in the end they won it by six points. As they were virtually neck and neck with runners up Harrogate for large parts of the season, a six point gap was quite a margin at the end.
NB: Good to see that second placed Harrogate also went up via the play-offs. So, for those that like to see the highest placed team in the play-offs be rewarded – then ‘job’s a good ‘un’.
More Info On Messrs Morley and Johnson
As mentioned, Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson were successful last season with Salford City. They were thrust into the limelight a fair bit when they appeared in the BBC series, “Class of 92: Out of Their League”. This was a fly on the wall documentary following Salford’s rise through the lower leagues under the ownership of ex-Manchester United players – including Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville (now you’re saying “Who?” aren’t you!!…..only kidding!!).
Mind you although Salford City were relatively big spenders in their league, Morley and Johnson’s pedigree isn’t about money only however. Before taking over at Salford, they were joint managers at Ramsbottom, where they enjoyed success on a small budget. In other words they know these leagues, with or without money.
By all accounts Chester FC will be operating on a low budget themselves. I don’t know enough of Chester FC’s financial state but many Chester fans are surprised as to how they are, or were (?), financially struggling. Here’s an article I wrote a few weeks ago that touched on this subject – see HERE.
Possible Investment
Will this low budget still be in place if Chester FC’s proposed new investor gets on board?
Local entrepreneur Stuart Murphy, founder of Exacta, a business rates company which began in Chester 20 years ago, was revealed as the Blues’ potential investor recently.
Although the specifics of the proposed investment are not currently available, it is hoped a deal can be struck by the end of May. This should see an injection of significant funds into the club’s infrastructure. In turn this would help the Blues become more self sufficient.
So after almost two years of dreadful results on the pitch and near disasters off it, are the fortunes of Chester FC about to turn for the better? Let’s hope so. Chester’s fans certainly deserve an upturn in events.
National Vanarama North
Next season, Chester will be competing in the 6th tier of the football pyramid, the National Vanarama North. Salford City’s success under the guidance of Morley and Johnson was brilliant when you see some of the so called ‘big hitters’ in that league. Ex Football League clubs like Stockport County, Darlington, York, Kidderminster, Southport, Bradford PA were tough opponents. Stockport County for instance averaged attendances of over 3,500. That’s incredible.
Having said that, if Chester FC start well, their attendances will be up around the 2,500+ mark. You never know they may be more given there will be more local derbies. In a daft way relegation to the Vanarama North may turn out to be a positive step. Rather than struggle again in the Vanarama National and tread water, the Vanarama North may open more doors and help development.
Time to sweep all the negativities over the last two years or so under the carpet. Sometimes you need to take a step back to be able to step forward.
Anyway, this snippet of Chester FC latest news all seems positive. Plenty of work still to do but at first glance it looks like Chester have appointed well.
I’ll no doubt be posting more Chester FC latest news as and when things unfold.
In the meantime……
Welcome to Chester FC Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson. Best of luck to you both.
For More Information on Chester and Chester Lifestyle
If you wish to know more about the beautiful city of Chester and Chester Lifestyle – click HERE.
