CHESTER CITY'S turbulent season took another disastrous turn at the weekend.
The rock-bottom Blues have been served with a winding up order by the HM Revenue and Customs which will be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice, in London, on January 27.
Their precarious existence at the foot of the Blue Square Premier Division table is now hanging by a thread.
Former City boss, Jim Harvey parted company with the club by mutual consent earlier this month after being told he no longer figured in the plans.
He said: "I'm now fearful for the club's future. I thought I was doing quite a good job at Chester under difficult circumstances and I remain convinced that I would have kept the club up if a player embargo hadn't been in place.
"I managed to bring in two or three loan players and we picked up by winning two or three games on the bounce. The whole atmosphere around the place changed after some terrific results.
"We beat AFC Wimbledon, won away at Grays, and Gateshead, and then drew at home to Luton.
"The boys really picked up and we felt we were getting some momentum and that we could close the gap on the teams immediately above us.
"But then the loan players went back and we were left with the academy boys and the whole thing fell apart.
"The supporters were brilliant and some of the players really took to it. They were a great bunch and I just wish them well."
Maison, who has previous managerial experience at Kettering and Halesowen Town, has now taken over as caretaker manager at Chester.
But Maison, who has revealed he is prepared to work free of charge for Chester in a bid to pull the club clear of the threat of relegation, faces a thankless task at the helm with an unpaid squad of players and with the prospect of seeing home attendances shrink to an unprecedented level due to Blues supporters boycotting home games in protest at the Vaughan family's ownership of the club.
He said: "If City fans are looking for reassurances from me there are none. I've taken on a terrible job as we are at our absolute lowest ebb.
"I knew nothing at all about Jim Harvey's departure. The only time I spoke with him during my short time here was for 30 seconds before the Kidderminster game. I just got a call on Sunday saying the manager was leaving and could I look after the side while the club tries to stabilise off the field.
"My touchline ban lasts another couple of months but I will pick and shape the side, be in the dressing room, then sit in the stand while our experienced team of coaches look after things on the touchline.
"The morale in the squad is very good. There are some good characters here and I'm telling them to go out there and win, win, win. Nobody will be getting any cheap points from Chester City.
"We need to sort things out off the field to help the players. I'm told the tax bill will be settled by January 25 and we should then get the embargo lifted, so I can bring in players.
"There is no connection at all with my academy. That consists of 16 and 17 year olds who are not ready for this level.
"I came here as director of football for free because we didn't have any money. I was out of football at the time and agreed to give it a go. Yet, for all our problems, I can see some light at the end of a pretty dark tunnel. I'm not making promises, other than to work very hard."
Chester are hoping to resume their campaign tomorrow with a home match against Salisbury City (7.45pm).
The Blues have not played since their 2-0 league defeat at Kidderminster Harriers on Boxing Day, and City's scheduled match at Crawley Town on Saturday was postponed due to a frozen pitch.