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The Harry Hackmeister Weblog

Dross

A corner turned ? I asked last month. Now we get the answer, certainly not. As the season draws closer to it's close Chester have been guilty of some insipid performances, and the lack of goals is frankly worrying.

A playoff spot has been secured, a result of the good work earlier in the season. But Chester are in severe danger of letting all that good work go to waste if they can't rediscover their scoring touch. Let's hope manger Ray Kinsale can turn this around and see the Blues to success into the playoffs.

Meanwhile let's cheer the achievement of Grimsby manager Paul Groves, who has picked up the Conference Manager of the month award for April, despite not actually managing a Conference team for any games. Maybe this is a message to all conference managers ? Possibly the people at SI Towers are telling Conference bosses that not one of them has done well enough to beat a manager who hasn't been responsible for a single game. A bit harsh if you ask me.

This is Harry, signing off.
c2003. Harry Hackmeister live from a badger's set in Wimbold's Trafford

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Memo from Sir Barrington Smythers-Hackmeister III, proprietor Chronicle Group Newspapers

To Editors: Chester Chronicle and Chester Evening News

Are we going to have a May Update then ?

Sir Barrington Smythers-Hackmeister III, proprietor Chronicle Group Newspapers

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May

Chester 0-0 Telford
Conference 1st May 2004
A game of very few chances in the first half, with Chester edging it, if anything. The shots they had, whilst being largely on target failed to seriously test the Telford goalie. Not really much of a call to change personnel at half time but I did ask the boys to be just a bit more thoughtful in their build up play and to seek out the better opportunity. Things looked up slightly in the second half, but whilst Chester contained sixth place Telford with ease they never looked convincing enough to score. Telford goalie Chris McKenzie was named man-of-the-match but that's only because nobody stood out today and he did keep out all of Chester's six efforts on target. Chester remain 4th with only one league game to go.

On this day Arsenal clinched the Premier League title, whilst Gravesend dropped out of the Conference and Kidderminster got relegated from Division Three.

On the following Wednesday, Man Utd made up for their dissapointment in the Premier League by reaching the final of the Champions League with an agreagate 4-0 win over Inter Milan. In the final they will meet Inter's city rivals AC.

Chester 2-1 Accrington
Conference 8th May 2004
The last game of the season saw Chester take on the Confernce new-boys Accrington. Unlike fellow promoted team Aldershot, Accrington have struggled and lie 16th in the table, just about safe from relegation. In response to the lack of goals I put Clare in for Stamp, giving the big guy a rest. Another half which Chester managed to cut off the threat of the opposition, limiting them to no shots on, or off, target in the 45 minutes, without creating too much themselves. They didn't go goalless for once however, as Chester were awarded a penalty when Waine inexplicably handled an O'Halloran cross. Clare calmly slotting home the penalty. No changes made at half time. Chester took their eye-off the ball in the second period, allowing Accrington back into the match with a goal on 50 minutes. It was scored by Justin Jackson from a corner that Chester failed to defend. It then became a much more even contest with both goalies being kept busy. It was Chester who achieved the crucial breakthrough, however, in the first minute of injury time, with a first goal for the club by Matt O'Halloran. The goal came when Twiss broke down the left, reached the byline and pulled the ball back, where it was controlled by O'Halloran and then lashed into the net from a tight angle. Chester did just about deserve this victory. O'Halloran was man-of-the-match and Chester finish the regular season in fourth place.

Micheal Twiss was injured in the game and will miss a week.

Meanwhile Northwich Vics became the third team to be relegated, whilst Leyton Orient occupy the final relegation spot from the third.

As expected Chester will play Dagenham & Redbridge in the play off semi final.

Leeds have had to call in the recievers, we'll keep watching for developpments.

On Sunday 16th May it was Stevenage who ran out winners of the FA trophy, beating Dag & Red 2-1. Let's hope that demoralises our play off semi finalists, somewhat.

Young Tom Coulson a reserve team centre back has left the club, after his contract was not renewed.

Chester 0-0 Dag & Red
Conference Playoff Semi-Final First Leg Wednesday 19th May 2004
A packed Deva Stadium saw a tense affair in the first half of this game with both sides defending a bit deeper than they would otherwise do, and as a result limiting the opposition, in both cases, to just one shot. Darryl Clare had a bit of a stinker and was replaced at half time by Darryn Stamp. In the second half Dagenham & Redbridge were quite clearly the better side, but they couldn't turn pressure into goals. It was another case of comedy defending in an important game, by Chester, balls knocked out for corners that could quite easily have been cleared, or knocked out for a throw. Another fairly unbeleivable game, dissapointing, no doubt, for the coders at SI. Daggers Mark Bentley was named man of the match. Daggers go into the second leg clear favourites.

In the other play off semi. Morecambe lost 2-3 at home to Stevenage and also face an uphill struggle in the second leg.

Dag & Red 2-0 Chester
Conference Playoff Semi-Final Second Leg Saturday 22nd May 2004
Stamp replaced Clare and the fit again Collins came in for Strong in the only two changes made to Wednesday's team. Daggers scored in the first minute, an event which made the game far more open than it might otehrwise have been. Bentley heading home a routine corner. Chester created chances but couldn't get them on target whereas Wayne Brown did well to keep Dag & Red out for the rest of the first half. Carden paid the price for a poor first half, being replaced by Ruffer. Bentley added a second, from another Piper corner on 62, and although Chester huffed and puffed thereafter and threw caution to the wind by putting the third attacker on they couldn't get back into the game. Daggers were worthy winners, 2-0 on aggregate. Bentley was man-of-the-macth again, and Chester's season was over.

So, defeat in the playoffs. This has to go down as a dissapointing season, some rebuilding work required next year, if the chairman gives me another year, that is.

Morecambe, the other pre-season favourite also crash out at this hurdle. Man Utd beat Liverpool in the FA Cup final by a single goal.

In the Champions League final AC Milan edge out Man Utd by 2-1.

Dag & Red won the playoff final, defeating Stevenage by 4-0

In the end of season Conference Select Team, Jamie Heard was selected. not bad for half a season's work. Terry Brown of Aldershot was named Conference manager of the year

Jon Brady and Dave Cameron saw their contract's expire, and were released after we failed to renew them. good luck to the boys.

Manager of the month was Scarborough's Russel Slade.

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The Harry Hackmeister weblog

A Season's Verdict ? Quite Simply, Not Good Enough

The season is over, and Chester have nothing to show for it. the story of the last two months, with only two goals scored in that time, tells the entire story. Too many portions of the season where they just weren't in the races. Too many times that manager Kinsale couldn't raise his team's game when it mattered. Not good enough in too many areas on the pitch.

So what's required. A bit of a rethink over the summer, both in terms of personnel and in terms of tactics. I'd like to think that Kinsale can lead the team to glory next season, but really I'm not sure he can...

This is Harry Hackmeister signing off.

The Harry Hackmeister Holiday Retreat/Bunker, The Carpathian Mountains, Romania

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At the end of the season I felt it neccesary to review the perofrmances of all the players. Before next season some changes were going to have to be made, and that would mean changes in personnel.

First Team Season Review

Goalkeepers

Wayne Brown
Reclaimed the goalkeeper's jersey after I'd lost confidence in McCaldon. However I felt he lost form towards the end of the year and in pre-season the No.1 spot is up for grabs
Apps:31 Goals Conceeded:23 Clean Sheets:15 Mom:1 Ave rating : 6.55

Ian McCaldon
Started the season as the number one choice, but made too many basic mistakes for my liking and was dropped. His figures still make tolerable reading.
Apps:21(+1) Goals Conceeded:16 Clean Sheets:13 MOM:1 Ave Rating: 6.68

Defenders
Jamie Heard
Was playing excellent football when his season was cut short by a broken leg. Will Hopefully return as a force next season.
Apps:27 Goals:4 Assists:2 MOM:3 Ave Rating:7.22

Sergei Baltacha
A solid season, was the player with most apperances last season
Apps:50 Goals:4 Assists:1 MOM:1 Ave Rating:6.69

Greg Strong
Another new player this season. He did well when asked, and is proving a reliable if unspectacular performer.
Apps:29(+3) Goals:0 Assists:1 MOM:0 Ave Rating:6.78

Danny Collins
In and out of the side more than he would have liked and often played on his non-favoured side of the left. nevertheless not an outstanding season by anybody's book
Apps:22(+10) Goals:0 Assists:3 MOM:0 Ave Rating:6.44

Kirk Miller
Loanee from Coventry, he made it in to the first team and stayed their. Proved to be an impressive addition to the squad and one of the players I will be attempting to sign over the summer
Apps:11 Goals:0 Assists:1 MOM:2 Ave Rating:6.64

Andy Harris
Versatile player, but I don't like his attitude. Unsettled, may struggle to find a place for him in my plans for next season.
Apps:10(+14) Goals:0 Assists:3 MOM:0 Ave Rating:6.63

Phil Bolland
Never came through as anything more than a back up player, but a regular performer when asked. Is unlikely to move on in the summer
Apps:10(+1) Goals:0 Assists:0 MOM:0 Ave Rating:6.45

Carl Ruffer
A poor season. Never coped well when asked to fill in at defensive midfield and posively error prone when playing in defence. A season to forget. Unfortunately, a player likely to feature high on the list of available players.
Apps:8(+4) Goals:0 Assists:0 MOM:0 Ave Rating:5.58

Richard Goodchild
A loanee from Norwich this player never setteled into the first team and was only ever a bit part player. Will not be pursuing this player over the summer.
Apps:1(+2) Goals:0 Assists:0 MOM:0 Ave Rating:6.67

Paul Connolly
Reserve, used in one game as sub. Had a good year in the reserves and we can probaly expect to see more of him in the future
Apps:0(+1) Gaols:0 Assists:0 MOM:o Ave Rating:6.00

Midfielders
Gary Bowman
A good season, both on the left and in the middle of midfield. Offered many stirling displays.
Apps:49 Goals:1 Assists:1 MOM:7 Ave Rating:7.29

Kevin Rapley
Can play up front but more used at Chester as a wide midfielder. he seems a little more at home on the left. A spirited performer right through the year.
Apps:47(+1) Goals:5 Assists:3 MOM:5 Ave Rating:7.06

Paul Carden
A large number of good games as the defensive midfielder, but also one or two duff ones. Made many assists through his taking of the corners. A tendancy to shoot too often.
Apps:46(+1) Goals:2 Assists:9 MOM:2 Ave Rating:6.70

Ben Davies
Was most ofetn used in the attacking midfielder role. Didn't play badly all season, but I would expect to see more flow through, for him to create more chances for it to be a succesful season.
Apps:45(+1) Goals:1 Assists:3 MOM:0 Ave Rating:6.98

Shaun Carey
Not used very often, but did pretty well whenever asked. Undecided about his future at the club
Apps:7(+1) Goals:1 Assists:0 MOM:0 Ave Rating:6.57

Matt O'Halloran
On loan from Barnsley. Would dearly love to add him to the squad this summer, but I can't see Barnsley wanting to let him go. Performed well in all games played, wide on the right of midfield.
Apps:6 Goals:1 Assists:1 MOM:2 Ave rating:7.83

Adam Hunter
Stepped up form the reserves after a number of good perfomances there. Not overawed by his first games in the senior side, he did well this year, and I think we can expect to see more of him next season.
Apps:4(+2) Goals:0 Assists:2 MOM:0 Ave Rating:6.83

Carl Noon
On loan form Coventry hasn't really impressed.
Apps 3(+3) Goals:0 Assists:1 MOM:0 Ave Rating:6.00

Forwards
Michael Twiss
Also played on the left wing but was mainly used as a forward, to good effect. A very good season. Amazingly no Man-of-the-match awards.
Apps:42(+2) Goals:12 Assists:11 MOM:0 Ave Rating:7.02

Darryn Stamp
A forward who fails to use his height properly, but still had a good season, scoring plenty of goals.
Apps:39(+5) Goals:12 Assists:6 MOM:2 Ave Rating:7.25

Darryl Clare
Got the goals but didn't really play as well this term as we know he can. Some weeks brilliant, others average it has been too much of an up and down year for this player
Apps:34(+7) Goals:13 Assissts:7 MOM:4 Ave rating:6.51

Steve Brodie
Never more than a bit part player. Was given chances in the first team but failed to take them. Prime candidate for the transfer list.
Apps:8(+3) Goals:3 Assists:2 MOM:1 Ave Rating:6.36

Ian Foster
A bad season, never played well, never managed to force himself into the first team. Another one for the list.
Apps:3(+1) Goals:2 Assists:0 MOM:0 Ave Rating:5.50

In the reserves Hunter and Connolly were the stars although John Davies and Lee Reece showed some promise. Poor seasons from Guyett and Beesley will see them onto the transfer list, possibly along with borderline cases like Gethin Lloyd and Kevin McIntyre.

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June
I circulated details of all the players I'd decided to place on the transfer list.Foster,Brodie,Beesley,Ruffer and Guyett The rejections came flooding back, however we did accept an offer of £8,000 for Scott Guyett from Northampton. I dropped the asking prices on all the other players as well, in the hope of drumminmg up some more business.

Guyett only went and rejected Northampton didn't he. They put in another offer, which this time he accpeted.

Meanwhile I added a player to the roster Ben Foster a young goalkeeper from Stoke, arriving on a free. I also bid £10,000 for Kirk Miller

Miller played hard to get over the contract, but did sign in the end, a good addition to the squad. Meanwhile the services of Matt O'Halloran on a permenant basis were proving to be beyond us, with Barnsley expecting at least £275,000 for him.

In the annual supporters awards Darryn Stamp was named player of the season.

The board, in their wisdom, have decided to limit me to a £3,000 transfer budget for the season, due to the high level of wages the club is paying out (which is why I'm trying to get rid of players, you idiots !). Having said that the board are 'Very Pleased' with my performance as manager this season, and expect to achieve a respectable position again in the coming season.

Over the next few days, bids came in and were accepted for Ruffer,Beesley and Ian Foster. So, Ruffer went to Cheltenham for £5K, Foster went to Bury for an initial £6k and Beesley is off to Aldershot for £7,000. That should be some money off the wage bill.

Shortly after that Brodie went to league new boys Kettering for no initial payment. I was quite keen to get rid, in order to keep the wage bill down.

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Author's note: At this point in the season, when the annual update happens (the relegated teams are removed from the Conference and new ones added). I added a new team to the game with intention of writing a parralel story line, mainly to try out some new approaches to writing. The team is going to be Kettering Town, which starts with no players, no staff and no board, which I think is going to be a bit of a challenge.

The observant amongst you will notice that I transfer Steve Brodie to Kettering on a free in the month of June. You might say cheat, I disagree. Chester need to get rid of over-paid and under-used players because of the wage situation, whilst Kettering need players. It works as a deal for both clubs, a win-win situation. Not a cheat in my book.

Anyway the new story will be called "And what do YOU bring to Kettering ?", keep an eye out for it....coming soon....

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The Harry Hackmeister weblog

The real work starts here

Most of us will be packing up our buckets and spades over the next few weeks, but for Chester manager Roy Kinsale the hard work starts here. The job of picking up the pieces from last years (failed) campaign falls to him over the next month and a half, as the team returns for pre-season training and the round of friendlies begins. I call last season a failure becuase nothing less than promotion will do for this side, harsh you might say, but the expectation at this club, amongst it's real fans at least, is high.

I applaud his work in June, aquiring the services of the impressive Kirk Miller, and by removing alot of the dead wood from the first team squad. The board were not happy with the wage situation last year and the way in which Kinsale copes with the demands of the board over the need to infuse new blood in the team will be a defining factor in this season's campaign.

The side are weak on the left side of defence, be it a three or a four at the back, so I would expect to see Kinsale act there, but his main concern has to be finding a tactical blend that will serve Chester well, and use the talents of the better players, Twiss and Rapley, well. The lack of tactical innovation or subtelty last term has to be the main worry for the new one. If nothings changes in that department then I find it hard to see where any improvement will be found.

It's hard to call this season, I think Chester have a nucleus of players capable of taking the team out of this division, but do they have the leadership ?

This is Harry Hackmeister signing off...

Harry Hackmeister is sponsored by Rant! Anger Management Consultants

c2004 Harry Hackmeister, live from beautiful, downtown Hawarden

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Why did my online name suddenly change itself to Shrek5 just then ??????. Whoever's doing it please stop.

retired_milla0225

Why did my online name suddenly change itself to Shrek5 just then ??????. Whoever's doing it please stop.