Senior Blues Meeting Recap: August 2024
Chairman Chris opened the meeting by paying tribute to Frank Salt, one of our original members, and former CFU Chairman David Harrington-Wright who had been a very good friend of the Senior Blues especially during his time in office. Both will be sadly missed.
Frank had also been a particular proponent for incorporating hand rails in the stands which Chris was able to announce had now been fully completed (with financial assistance from the Senior Blues and the Away Travel). In doing so, Chris nearly demonstrated his instant mastery of the excellent new sound system installed in the Cestrian by Danny, Mike and Carla over the summer.
This makes our PA redundant and, crucially, saves a lot of effort in setting it up, and dismantling it, every meeting. So if anyone is in need of an excellent PA system, two sets of radio mics, and a wheeled lockable truck to store them…
Our first guest Albert Davies, another good friend of ours, explained his transition from part time Media guy to full time General Manager and his pride in carrying out that role. It must be said that Albert is still heading up the media work in the week including maintaining the club website and hosting the Seals Podcast (and not least, updating the Senior Blues pages).
He explained the current position regarding the appointment of a new Commercial Manager, where the preferred candidate from the first round of interviews decided against taking the role which has meant re-advertising the position. Mike Barrow’s departure to Everton has led to the appointment of a contracting firm for the next 12 months with matchday duties being carried out by an existing team of volunteers. Martin Fitzsimons’ move to Wigan Women and Jimmy Soul’s retirement were also outlined (and indeed Albert noted the exodus that had followed his appointment!) and the new arrangements were described. Groundboard sponsorship was going well despite the absence of a Commercial Manager. Stadium sponsorship and sponsorship for the remaining two stands was still progressing. A successful Sponsors Day was held at the Altrincham game with more than 40 sponsors present.
Moving the ticketing system to Fanbase had gone well with over 1,700 season tickets sold. However, transferring CFU membership across to Fanbase had been more challenging. Although over 750 members have now signed up, the process is taking longer than anticipated. A new membership scheme has also been introduced for Chester FC Women.
As far as football matters are concerned, Albert reiterated the disappointing end to last season and the need to take a different approach. He referred to a summer of change, Calum’s success in signing targeted players, and the hopes for the new season.
The Q&A started on the subject of turnstiles and ticketing. Initial teething troubles had been encountered with the new turnstile operation which would be expected to be resolved for the opening league fixture. It will be possible to pay cash at the ticket office on matchdays. The capacity restriction of 4,200 is still in place and will remain so until the Safety Advisory Group deem otherwise. It was explained that the pitch contractors also maintain the playing surfaces at Southport and Runcorn Linnets and will be at the Deva three days a week. As well as taking charge on Saturdays, volunteers will continue to cover the pitch for frost protection as and when required. Chairman Chris had earlier pointed out the state of the pitch surrounds and this is an area which will be further examined.
When asked about links to Chester University, Albert told us about the Club’s scheduled presence during Freshers week and targeted marketing for a midweek game in October. We also learned about the new thermal printer in the office and the role played by Barrie Hipkiss (despite his ill health) and the away travel in ensuring its installation. On the subject of Academy funding, Albert acknowledged the financial input of Ian Swettenham over many years. Currently there is sponsorship in place for the U10’s, U12’s, U14’s and Colts. As yet there is no sponsorship in place for the Scholars. As with last season, there will be an opportunity to sponsor individual members of the Youth Team squad with recognition in the match programme and entry into an end of season draw. Your illustrious scribe proudly wore his somewhat restrictive pink training top, complete with the “signatures” of members the first team, as a demonstration that the draw actually took place at the end of last season. (NB. There were several other excellent prizes not involving pink shirts.)
Chairman Chris thanked Albert and after the raffle introduced former Blues midfielder Brynley Jones. Bryn explained that he was spotted when he was 16 by Cliff Sear, who he held in very high regard, and after a trial was signed as an apprentice. Working on the groundstaff he had to do all the usual chores of those days such as sweeping the terraces, marking the pitch, laying out kit etc. He admitted to being conned as a new lad when being told it was his turn to clean the floodlights. Boot cleaning was another job and he looked after those of Bob Delgado, Trevor Storton and Grenville Millington among others. Bryn made his debut away at Swindon Town aged 18 at the end of the 1976-77 and played around 180 games over the next five years scoring 31 goals. He told us his highlight was a fifth round FA Cup tie at First Division Ipswich Town, then managed by Bobby Robson. Bryn gave Chester a shock lead before losing 2-1. Chester were managed by Alan Oakes who he described as a hard manager. Bryn left Chester at the end of the 1981-82 season for non-league Scarborough following ex Chester manager Peter Cottam where he played for a single season.
After Scarborough, Bryn played in the Welsh League and also did some coaching before becoming a publican for over twenty years. Now retired, he is the possessor of two false knees. He remembered Trevor Storton as the best he had played with and shared some memories of other team mates. Over his time at Chester his wages as a full time professional increased from a basic £70 + £30 appearance money to £250 per week in the 1980’s. He also talked of his son Craig who followed in his footsteps as a professional footballer playing for several clubs in the Welsh League including Airbus and TNS, and spending several years at Bury before retiring. Bryn still gets to the Deva for a good number of games and like us is hoping for a good season.
Next Meeting Sept 6th. Guest speaker Andy Walsh, Football Supporters Association (and ex general manager of FC United of Manchester) Topic, Fan Ownership.