NORTHWICH Vics have been offered three players on loan from League Two neighbours Chester City.
City owner Stephen Vaughan revealed that the trio were not wanted by the club and had offered to fully subsidise the moves if Vics accept the deal.
Former Sunderland and Leeds star Paul Butler and midfieldmen Tony Dinning and David Mannix could soon be putting on a green and white shirt.
Chester manager and former England defender Mark Wright sanctioned the move and is waiting to hear back from Vics manager Steve King and owner Jim Rushe.
Rushe welcomed the offer but has given the final say to King as the January transfer window opened on New Year’s Day (Thursday).
He said: “It’s very good of them to offer these three players to us. There are not many league clubs that would do that and if our manager wants them then we would certainly consider it.
“I think Stephen Vaughan is a very decent man for offering us this deal.”
All three players – of which only two would be able to sign on loan for Vics under FA rules – have had disciplinary issues at the Deva Stadium.
Dinning and Butler were involved in a dispute with former City boss Simon Davies earlier this season while Mannix has only made one appearance this season after a training-ground incident.
Police are still investigating the alleged fight that left Mannix hospitalised with facial injuries last October.
The subsidised deals will bring some relief to the Vics board who have been fighting financial problems at the club all season.
Vics were dealt another blow to funding when their New Year’s Day derby clash at Altrincham was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
Vics would have received £2,000 from Setanta Sports as the game was scheduled to be screened live on satellite and cable. There is no indication as to whether or not the rearranged fixture will be televised.
It also means that, following a spate of postponed fixtures due to the weather, Vics must squeeze in the Alty clash with their league match with Salisbury and the Mid Cheshire Senior Cup tie with Barnton.
Vics’ next game is away to Woking on Thursday (7.45pm) for a Blue Square Premier clash to be screened live on Setanta.
All at the Marston’s Arena will have their fingers crossed for a break in the current big freeze.
