CHESTER CITY’S perilous position today reached an intolerable situation.
The crisis-hit Blues, who are currently rooted to the foot of the Blue Square League Premier Division table, are facing a miserable and worryingly dormant spell in an already torrid campaign.
I understand that Blues boss Jim Harvey and his squad of players gathered at the Deva Stadium yesterday where they expected to meet newly appointed director of football, Morell Maison.
But Maison, who was formerly in charge at Kettering and Halesowen Town, failed to show up apparently because he was told he wouldn’t receive his requested expenses to cover his journey to and from Birmingham.
I also understand that Chester’s players, who haven’t been paid for the last two months, have now been told to stay away from the club and if they can find a new club they are then free to leave the Blues.
City’s players, who have been struggling to attend training sessions because they are continuing to be unpaid, are now facing an uncertain future.
Jim Harvey and his squad have been left totally in the dark about recent developments behind the scenes at the club and nobody seems to be certain whether Chester will be able to fulfill the remainder of their fixtures.
The wintry weather and an abandonment has already seen four of Chester’s fixtures wiped out and the team are without a scheduled match this weekend after being knocked out of the FA Trophy first round by Fleetwood Town.
City’s next game isn’t until Saturday, January 16, when they have a league fixture at Crawley Town.
Harvey said: “I can’t plan anything because of the bad weather conditions.
“I met with the players yesterday and we spoke about the situation we were in.
“I haven’t had chance to speak to Morell Maison since I first met him at our last match on Boxing Day at Kidderminster.
“I’m aware he has come to the club as Chester’s director of football, but I don’t know any more than that.”
The Blues have rearranged their home match against Eastbourne Borough and their away fixture against Rushden and Diamonds for Tuesdays in March.
Chester will now face Eastbourne Borough on Tuesday, March 16, at the Deva Stadium, and they will travel to Rushden on Tuesday, March 9.
But, Chester are still attempting to rearrange their other postponed fixtures at home to both Barrow, and Kidderminster.
Meanwhile, several Chester players including John Danby, Nick Chadwick, James Owen and Anthony Barry, are being linked with moves away from the club.
Harvey, who is without a contract at Chester, is continually being linked with the managerial vacancy at high-flying Blue Square League Premier Division club, Kidderminster Harriers.
The Aggborough club are looking to replace Mark Yates who was appointed manager of Cheltenham Town last month.
Kidderminster chairman, Barry Norgrove, refuses to be rushed into naming a new manager, but it has been reported that interested candidates include Harvey, and ex-Chester players Gary Brabin and Carl Heggs.