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In the absence of anything more exciting to write about, I have looked ahead to our next league game against Chester City. This isn't a preview as such, but as they have been in the news a lot lately I thought there's enough info to make an article out of! On Saturday 1 September 2001, 1197 people watched Barnet beat Chester City 3-1 at Underhill. So if we beat them on Saturday 19 January, this will be our first league-double since the 99/00 season (although I can't for the life of me remember which club it was). We have already missed out doing the double on Dover, so better luck this time? Chester are currently second from bottom of the table, with 23 points, and at -6 they have the worst Home Goal Difference of all. However, they now have a new manager, Mark Wright - and as is so often the case when a club gets a new manager, we have to wonder if their poor form will improve. Wright, who used to play for Southampton, Derby County and Liverpool was capped 45 times by England. He started his managerial career with Southport, taking over from Paul Futcher in December 1999. Frustrated with Southport's inability to turn full-time, the 38-year-old eventually departed in May last year to take over at one of his former clubs, Oxford United. However, things turned sour at the Kassam Stadium for Wright and he left in November. Chairman Steve Vaughan said: "I was impressed with both Graham Barrow and Mark Wright, and also former Northwich manager Keith Alexander, who was highly recommended. "But the board reached a unanimous decision. I took a backseat to hear their views on the issue, and we all agreed who we wanted as manager.” Wright will officially take over for the FA Trophy third round tie with Dr Martens League Western Division outfit Stourport Swifts this Saturday. On top of this, Chester have also just signed 31-year-old Gary Brabin from Torquay United (although he was not at Torquay last season). The tough-tackling Brabin had a brief spell with Boston United in the Nationwide Conference earlier this season before being handed another chance at League football at Plainmoor last October. He was capped three times by the England semi-professional side in 1994 whilst with Runcorn, started his playing days with Kirkby Town before joining Stockport County in 1989. He made only a couple of first-team appearances at Edgeley Park before going non-League with Gateshead and then Runcorn. He was transferred to Doncaster Rovers in 1994 and then had moves to Bury and Blackpool respectively before spending twenty months with Hull. Brabin made his debut when Chester took on Northwich Victoria last Tuesday (seventh). However, caretakers Owen Brown and Alan Lewer were left in charge for that match. The Vics took the lead, but Chester fought back well and equalised with a goal from midfielder Chris Blackburn. Chester lost out with just seven minutes of normal time remaining. So, on paper this should be three points in the bag for Barnet, but we will be Wright's first big test. Don't forget that the BFCSA will be running a coach to this game and the team could do with a large support to cheer them on to that elusive double. |
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