VAUXHALL chairman Alan Bartlam has issued a sombre warning to Ellesmere Port football fans that the club will not be able to compete properly in the Nationwide North unless crowds improve.
Said Bartlam: 'I was only reasonably happy with 256 against Droylsden in midweek, but I hoped that figure would be bettered against Worksop on Saturday. I'm afraid to say that 204 will not sustain a club at this level and we need more support.
'Not only was that the lowest attendance in the division, it was also smaller than seven crowds in the decimated UniBond Premier League.'
The Motormen were beaten 3-1 at Lancaster City on Tuesday after being held to a 1-1 draw in Saturday's ill-attended clash with Worksop.
Vauxhall go to Alfreton Town tomorrow and are at home to Harrogate Town on Monday (3pm). Connah's Quay Nomads defender Stephen Hopkins has joined neighbours Airbus UK and could take his place in the starting eleven for tomorrow's long trip to Haverford-west County (2.30pm), as James Dean will be unavailable.
Airbus's only other concern is goalkeeper Andy Hughes, who has a back problem. Stuart McIntosh may deputise.
Airbus travel to Welshpool on Tuesday hoping to have a crack at overturning a 5-1 deficit in their preliminary round second leg of the Loosemore's Challenge Cup. The Chester Sunday League has a curtain-raiser this Sunday with the Bill Gresty Memorial Trophy between Vicars Cross Dynamos and St Theresa's at Thackeray Drive (11am). The draws for Chester and District FA cup competitions are - C and C Catering Senior Cup, preliminary round: Kydds Ath v Brewery Arms. First round: Upton AA v Hoole Rangers; Barrow Ath v Frod-sham Utd; MBNA v Cestrian Alex; Newton Ath Youth v St Werburgh's; Team Highfield v Duddon Utd; Kydds Ath or Brewery Arms v Christleton; Upton Borough v Kelsall; Chester Nomads v Blacon Youth.
Chester FA Challenge Cup 1st round: Kelsall v Malpas Res; Blacon YC Res v MBNA Res; Christleton Res v Duddon Utd; Bank of Scotland v Brewery Arms; Barrow Ath v Newton Ath Youth.
Aldford Glass Sunday Cup 1st round: FC Boughton v Bromfield Arms; Chester City ISA v Ship Victory; ROB (Christleton) v St Werburgh's; Upton YC v Egerton Arms; Bull's Head v Dee Miller; Corner Pin v Tattenhall; Custom House v Duddon.
