IT WAS all change in the boardroom at the Deva Stadium last night with two directors resigning and a new director of football officially installed.
Former Kettering Town and Halesowen Town manager Morell Maison has officially assumed the running of Chester City football club with immediate effect, while chairman Ian Anderson and managing director Bob Gray have both resigned from their respective positions.
Maison’s appointment is coupled with an option to purchase all the current shareholding of the club, which is currently under the control of the Vaughan family.
Maison, who didn’t play senior professional football and is currently subject to a touchline ban following an “altercation” during his time with Halesowen, is involved with the Bedfordshire-based International Soccer Academy, which specialises in giving footballers who haven’t made the grade during scholarships or apprenticeships with professional clubs a second chance.
It is understood that current manager Jim Harvey’s position remains unaltered, but the financial problems that include the non-payment of players wages and other related fiscal concerns remain like a millstone around the neck of the once proud club.
Maison has stated that one of his main tasks will be to bring much-needed investment to the Football Conference basement club, who are facing their second consecutive demotion following relegation from the Football League last season.
It is unclear wether Maison intends to continue running Chester City as a full-time professional football club, or to run it as a part-time semi-professional outfit.
The club’s main supporters group have responded to the news of Maison’s appointment and the current state of affairs at the Deva Stadium with alarm. A spokesman said last night: “CFU (Chester Fans United) feel that this appointment is totally unnecessary and can only undermine the excellent work of both the manager and the players at this very difficult time.”
Maison will be in attendance when Chester face Kidderminster Harriers at the Deva Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
Nick Chadwick returns to his loan striking role following suspension, but Rhys Meynell, Anthony Barry and Neil Ashton are all ruled out through injury.
CHESTER CITY (from): Dandy, Murphy, Roberts, Kelly, Ryan, Rule, Wilkinson, Rea, Owen, Lea, Ellams, Jones, Davidson, Coulter, Platt, Rawlinson, Freeman.
