Chester City FC: Mark Wright unable to bolster squad before end of season

Mar 16 2009 by Paul Wheelock, Chester Chronicle

CHESTER City’s survival hopes have been dealt a devastating blow with the news they will not be signing any new players this season.

Blues boss Mark Wright hoped owner Stephen Vaughan’s attempts to generate fresh investment would lead to the cash-strapped club’s transfer embargo being lifted.

But Wright was told on the eve of Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with fellow strugglers Grimsby Town that he would not be able to make moves in the loan market.

“I’ve been told to say that there isn’t anybody coming in now,” said Wright, who was ready to boost his 16-man squad with up to five recruits.

“What we’ve got is what we’ve got and we’ll see where we are at the end of the season. That’s the reality and that’s what we’ve got to get on with.

“It’s frustrating for me as I know what we could do with the ilk of players I’d sorted out to come here. But I also know it’s a difficult and frustrating situation for the chairman as well.”

The Football League imposed a transfer embargo on Chester following the late payment of players’ wages.

The League declined to comment when asked by The Chronicle whether the embargo continues to be in place.

Wright has made no secret of the fact he feels reinforcements are the only way to guarantee City’s safety.

But after top-scorer Ryan Lowe rescued a thoroughly-deserved point for the Blues against the Mariners, he stated his men still have what it takes to overcome the odds and beat the dreaded drop.

“If we keep digging in and fighting like that it could go to the wire,” said Wright, who was delighted with the response after the humiliating 5-1 home defeat to Rotherham United four days earlier.

“We’ve just got to believe in ourselves, hang in there and defend like we did today and hope that we start finding goals from somewhere.

“If we fall over like a pack of cards like we did against Rotherham, then we have no chance. But we have set ourselves a standard now. We’ve set the benchmark and if we keep believing in ourselves then who knows where we’ll go.”

Lowe’s 14th goal of the season ensured Chester remained third from bottom in League Two.