MEMBERS of City Fans United are threatening a mass boycott of Chester’s home matches in the wake of Jim Harvey’s departure.
Popular manager Harvey parted company with the Blues on Sunday, prompting the CFU – Chester’s official fans’ association – to consider taking drastic action in protest at the way the crisis-hit club is being run.
A CFU statement, released last night, read: “City Fans United would like to state their disappointment, shock and anger at the decision to replace Jim Harvey.
“Supporters had received assurances from new director of football, Morell Maison, that Mr Harvey would continue in his role.”
The CFU said Harvey’s exit had “antagonised the existing fan base to a point where attendances will fall even sharper than previously thought”.
They will now ballot their 500-strong membership and see how many are in favour of an official boycott.
The CFU statement continued: “We are calling on the membership of CFU to vote on the possibility of an official boycott of remaining home games until a new board, with the good of the club at heart, is in place.”
Chester’s players – unpaid for two months – have been told they can leave if they can fix up employment with another club.
Potential replacements could come from a football academy in Bedfordshire run by Maison, who was unexpectedly installed as City’s director of football on Boxing Day.
Maison’s arrival at the Deva immediately cast doubt over the future of Harvey, who left by “mutual consent” on Sunday. His exit has angered the club’s other supporters group, the Chester City Exiles.
Their statement read: “It is clear that whoever is running the club just do not want any future or success for Chester City, and it would seem by telling players to go and by sacking one of the best managers since Harry McNally that they do not have the best interests of Chester City at heart.”
Chester are now looking for their third manager of the season.
Stephen Vaughan interview – page 70.
