THIS could well be a defining week in the history of Chester City Football Club, after the players threatened to go on strike over the weekend when the club failed again to pay their wages on time.

Following Friday night’s 1-0 FA Trophy defeat at the hands of Fleetwood Town, the players were told that their salaries which were due at the end of November would not be forthcoming until at least the end of this week .

According to one player this situation has occurred on a number of occasions this season when salaries have either only been part paid or received well after the due date and the players patience appears to have run out.

The players have apparently received an assurance from a director of City that their wages will be paid on or before next Friday .

One player said over the weekend that they would not be turning up for training until the end of the week, and if the outstanding monies weren’t forthcoming they would consider not turning out in next weekend’s match against Rushden and Diamonds at Nene Park .

Chester have lurched from crisis to crisis in the past 18 months. Relegation from the Football League in May was followed by administration, a delayed start to the club’s Conference campaign because of perceived irregularities, and a subsequent 25 point deduction on commencement of their fixtures.

A league game against Eastbourne Borough was abandoned last month when supporters protested against the Vaughan family’s ownership of the club .

Earlier this month City only saved themselves from being kicked out of the Conference when a shortfall cheque for £36,000 eventually cleared, allowing outstanding creditors to be paid.

Besides the financial problems being expressed by City’s senior players, it is understood that a number of the club’s youth team squad are also experiencing problems obtaining monies on their due dates.

Recently the Deva Stadium water supply was cut off because of non payment, only to be restored when the invoice was belatedly paid.

Veteran fan Barrie Hipkiss, who has seen many ups and downs over his 60 years of supporting the club said last night: "I am very concerned about what is going on at the club and I fear for the future. How can we go on like this?

"I have seen some rough times here but this is the worst I have ever seen it.”

The only goal of Friday night’s dire game came after 55 minutes - Adam Warlow taking advantage of a mistake by City keeper John Danby to score from 15 yards.

Chester’s only realistic chance came after just three minutes but Dootson was well positioned to save Nick Chadwick’s angled effort.

An attendance of just over 500 highlighted the City supporters current displeasure with the off the field events at the Deva Stadium .

Chester City: Danby, Freeman, Kelly, Ryan, Rule, Rea (Lea 52), Barry, Owen, Ellams, Wilkinson (Jones 70), Chadwick. (Subs not used) Murphy, Rawlinson, Coulter.

Referee: Mr C . Harwood (Manchester)

Attendance - 518 .