JANUARY

'This run of results has left me feeling like a boxer being repeatedly punched on the chin... Sometimes the only way to come back is to start throwing right-handers.'

Fighting talk from Blues boss Keith Curle as his team enters the new year on the back of a five-match losing streak.

'I see this as a fresh challenge so I can get more football under my belt.'

Winger Wayne Corden after signing for City on loan from Scunthorpe. He played just twice in a month before being sent back to Glanford Park.

'I hope you're not going to ask me if I'm disappointed.'

A distraught Curle greets the media in the aftermath of Chester's defeat to Cheltenham Town in an FA Cup replay. Victory for the Blues would have served up a fourth-round tie with Newcastle United.

FEBRUARY

'I'm not disputing that these kids have got a future, but at this moment in time we need men at this football club.'

Blues chairman Stephen Vaughan speaks exclusively to The Chronicle about his decision to axe loan stars Mark Roberts, Evan Horwood and Chris Robertson after just one game.

'At the end of the day, if results aren't right, it's the manager who takes the fall.'

Curle gets the axe - and gives his only interview following his departure to The Chronicle. He was sacked immediately after Chester's 2-0 home defeat to Leyton Orient on February 18, the club's 12th defeat in 14 matches.

'When we made the appointment, we didn't expect to be winning any popularity contests... Personalities won't get in the way this time.'

Chairman Vaughan's frank assessment of his controversial decision to reappoint Mark Wright, initially on a short-term contract - 18 months after he walked out on Chester.

MARCH

'He turned up to play without letting any of us know, saying he was fit enough. Well, he wasn't.'

Just days into the job and Wright crosses swords with striker Michael Branch, who was left out of the team for an important home match against Torquay despite declaring himself fit to play.

'I can concentrate on my own performances and it could be a burden off my shoulders... I'm committed to Chester and keeping us up.'

Branch's reaction to being stripped of the Chester captaincy after falling foul of the new boss.

'There were one or two things going on behind the scenes which I'm not prepared to talk about but they will come to light.'

Wright keeps tight-lipped over his bust-up with Branch and Ryan Lowe after City's 2-1 derby defeat at Wrexham. The loss left the Blues bottom of League Two.

APRIL

'I've been playing with a smile on my face again. Being on the sidelines made me hungry.'

Derek Asamoah, Chester's 'smiling assassin', hits the goal trail as the Blues find some form - and begin to climb the table.

'Mark Wright came in and we didn't get on.' Ryan Lowe leaves Chester by mutual consent, and reveals why he was glad to go.

'That win was for the fans. We've owed them a couple and that was for them.'

Ben Davies dedicates the Blues' derby defeat of old rivals Wrexham to the supporters.

MAY

'I'm really, really pleased we've got something sorted out. What Chester needed was some sort of stability.'

Wright shakes hands with Vaughan on a two-year contract, ending speculation over his long-term future.

'I just feel Shrewsbury is the right move for me.' Captain and player of the season Stewart Drummond turns down the chance to stay at Chester and instead signs for their bitter rivals.

'I won't be going to another club in this league.' Ben Davies' now infamous pledge to Blues fans. The City midfielder went back on his promise and followed Drummond in signing for Shrewsbury.

JUNE

'I want to publicly thank the chairman and Mark Wright for bringing me out of the doldrums.'

Blues legend Graham Barrow ends his spell in the football wilderness by returning to the club as assistant manager.

'He can set the world alight and shouldn't be playing at this level.'

Wright talks up summer signing Jermaine Mc-Sporran, who failed to live up to the hype and left the club with the new season only weeks old.