MORELL MAISON is aiming to put Chester City’s turbulent season back on track.
The former Kettering and Halesowen Town boss has been preparing the Blues for league action tonight against Salisbury City (7.45pm kick-off).
Maison, who was appointed director of football at Chester just days before manager Jim Harvey decided to leave the club by mutual consent, underlined the daunting task ahead for the troubled club before what could prove to be one of the lowest ever home league attendances in City’s history.
He said: “We have 21 games left to play and we’re 26 points away from safety.
“The club’s problems have been well documented, but from here on in it’s all about what we do as a unit.
“We are working really hard behind the scenes and everyone’s spirits are high.
“We have to focus on the games that remain, but we do need some help.
“I still believe we’ve got an outside chance. Nobody would have given Earnie Shavers a chance of putting Muhammed Ali on the seat of his pants.
“As long as we perform and give our fans something to cheer I feel we’ll be doing our jobs.
“We’ll be looking to provide a competitive and a quality performance.
“Players like Tim Ryan and Glenn Rule have been helping me and the backroom staff prepare for tonight’s match.”
Maison, who is being forced to watch tonight’s game from the main stand due to a touchline ban for an altercation with a player during his time at Halesowen, revealed he was doing all he could to help Chester.
He added: “I take my hat off to the players at Chester because they have been giving 100 per cent effort since I came in.
“They are showing plenty of motivation and I have received a lot of inspiration from their positive manner.
“It has been difficult for everyone involved at the club and I’m doing everything I can to try and resolve the non-payment of players’ wages during the last couple of months.
“I’m a football person, but I didn’t actually come to Chester to do a manager’s job. I wanted to help provide the tools to solve the ownership and investment issues, and I believe we are so close now to finding solutions.
“I had nothing to do with Jim Harvey’s departure from the club. I wasn’t part of the process which led to Jim leaving Chester.
“But he’s gone now and I’ve been left to try and give some leadership and direction.
“We have a coaching staff in place and I feel we’re well equipped to do a job.
“The players and I now want to do a good job for the club and provide the Chester fans with some confidence.”
Chester, who are still rooted to the foot of the Blue Square Premier Division table with minus three points and are now 26 points away from safety, are eager to return to league action as their last outing was a 2-0 defeat at of Kidderminster Harriers on Boxing Day.
Maison said: “We’re preparing to face a Salisbury team who have the worst form in the league and I believe we have too much for them.
“Tim Ryan will remain our club captain and I’ve been grateful to him for providing me with an insight into the club’s problems.
“I wasn’t here during Chester’s bad times so it’s difficult for me to answer questions about the situation the club has been in.
“But I’m energetic, dynamic, and positive, and I’m now asking everyone to put a shoulder to the wheel.
“I’m sticking my head above the parapet and all I can do is do a job for the club.
“I wasn’t aware of the club’s transfer embargo when I arrived at Chester, but I do know that we need to get the embargo lifted in order to bring in five or six players who will make a difference.
“I’m working tirelessly around the clock to work out proper solutions and I now feel there is definitely some daylight at the end of the tunnel.”
Newly-formed supporters group, City Fans United, have threatened to boycott tonight’s match in protest of the Vaughan family’s ownership and because of the way in which former manager Harvey parted company with the troubled club.
But Vaughan is confident that Chester City can clear a £26,000 tax bill which has prompted the HM Revenue and Customs to serve a winding up order on the club which will be heard later this month in the London High Court.
Vaughan said: “Tonight’s match against Salisbury will definitely go ahead and I’m confident that a £26,000 tax bill will be paid.”