Chester hoping for positive result to Linwood talks

May 14 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

CHESTER CITY last night held what they described as “constructive discussions” with their Player of the Year, Paul Linwood and his adviser.

City have “exercised their option” on Linwood’s contract for another year and offered him a new two-year deal.

Linwood’s current contract expires on June 30 but City have taken up their option for another 12 months. However they are hopeful that the ex-Tranmere Rover’s player will sign a new and improved deal for two years.

City’s chief executive, Bob Gray, said following the meeting: “We had extremely constructive discussions with Paul and his representative. We have made him what we consider to be a very fair and reasonable offer and he has undertaken to come back to us swiftly with a response, which obviously we hope will be a positive response.”

Chester manager Simon Davies is keen to extend Linwood’s contract at the Deva Stadium and make him club captain for the forthcoming campaign.

Meanwhile City defender, Kevin Sandwith, has been released, after turning down a new 12-month contract. Sandwith has been with City for the past two seasons.

It is understood that Chester have offered terms to the former Tranmere Rovers and Wrexham defender, Carl Tremarco, the player has also been offered a deal by the Welsh Blue Square Premier League outfit.

In another development yesterday, City manager Simon Davies invited the former Liverpool and Accrington Stanley striker Mark Smyth to have trials with the club, when the squad return to training at the beginning of July.

Smyth (23), who is a former England under-20s international, made one first-team appearance for Liverpool in a Carling Cup tie and played last season for Bangor City and Leigh RMI.

Meanwhile, the Deva Stadium will host the finals of the Rhys Jones Memorial Cup Competitions on Friday, May 30.

The competition, which is open to girls’ and boys’ teams will hold qualifying rounds at Liverpool and Everton’s Academies during the week commencing May 26 and is being played in honour of young Rhys, who was murdered near his Croxteth home last year.