Alabi can get 20 goals, says Blues boss
Jon McCarthy has revealed that he believes striker James Alabi can bag 20 goals this season for Chester FC .
The Blues boss was quizzed on whether there were enough goals in his striking options of Alabi, Kane Richards and Oluwaseun Akintunde and gave a resounding yes.
And McCarthy even backed Alabi, who has two goals to his name so far this season, to reach the 20 goal mark come the end of the campaign.
"I think James Alabi can score 20 goals this season," said the Blues boss.
"I believe that and I said it at the start of the season and that's where I think he will get to. That is the target I have set him.
"I don't think Ross Hannah scored a goal for the first 10 games and James Alabi scored two in the first three. He had three games with an unlucky suspension and that has seen him stutter."
Macca on the bubble
McCarthy was full of praise for the travelling band of Chester fans who roared on the Blues during Saturday's 0-0 draw at Wrexham.
And the Blues boss is hopeful that the bubble match restrictions that have blighted the fixture since 2013 can be removed once and for all after Saturday's clash passed off without incident.
McCarthy said: "The fans were superb. People talk about the bubble and that it hinders people coming to watch the match.
"When the players came out they got the real feel for the passion from those who came and we needed that spirit (from the fans). We felt that from the dugout and the players felt it on the pitch.
"It isn't a big derby in terms of numbers when you compare it to some others and I'm sure the police don't want to be here on a Saturday morning. There was no hint of trouble from either set of fans and maybe it can help bring an end to it for next season."
'I'm not missing playing'
Chester number two Ian Sharps has been speaking on calling time on his career.
The former Tranmere Rovers and Burton Albion defender retired from playing at the end of last season in order to take up the assistant manager role with the Blues and insists he has no regrets.
"I’ve put it to bed to be honest," said Sharps, who was Chester skipper last season.
"I don’t miss all the pre-match nuptials, the worry and all that. I trust the lads to go out and play and I’m not missing it.
"I enjoy playing in the five-a-sides and stuff but the actual game situation is a bit different now I think.
"If I was still on top of my game then it would have been different but I realised last year I wasn’t playing to the standards I wanted to play at and I think that helped my decision."
Walk this way
Chester FC's walking football squad are welcoming new players ahead of their Cheshire Walking
Football League campaign.
The league was developed to give walking football players opportunities to compete with fixtures taking place at Cheshire FA headquarters in Northwich on a 3G pitch.
The Blues will face teams from across Cheshire and bordering counties on October 13, November 10 and December 8. The league runs on Thursday afternoons from 12 noon until 3pm.
Chester FC Community Trust run structured walking football sessions on Monday evenings from 5pm until 6pm at Goals Soccer Centre for men and women of all ages and abilities, although players must be aged over 50 to take part in league fixtures.
The sessions cost just £3 per week and there's no need to book, simply turn up and play.
Jim Green, chief executive of Chester FC Community Trust, said: “Walking football continues to grow in popularity and it's proven to be a fantastic means of helping people to keep active, make new friends and stay fit and healthy.
“Our coaches run weekly walking football sessions where everyone is welcome to give the game a go and the league provides a fantastic opportunity for players over 50 to represent Chester FC on a regular basis.”
