A Tribute to Harry McNally

Harry McNally's credentials for management of a Football league club are unique. From masonry to management is a step no other team boss has taken and for that matter, what other manager currently in charge of a league club has never kicked a ball in full time professional football?

In 1992, Harry was the longest serving boss in Division 2 and only Brian Clough, Joe Royle and Dario Gradi have sat in a Premier League hot seat longer. That in itself is a tribute to his managerial skills, but when it is considered that Harry has kept the club from being relegated in two seasons in exile at Macclesfield, his achievements become the more remarkable.

Borin in Wigan, but raised in Yorkshire, Harry returned to his roots as a teenager and kicked his first football in earnest as a part timer with Harry Catterick's Rochdale in the old Third Division (North). " I realised that I was not going to be good enough to make my living as a full time player, so I decided to play part time while I built up my building and masonry business," he explained.

Harry went on to play with Chorley as a player coach in the Seventies and with Skelmersdale United, where he was the manager for four years before moving on to Southport as assistant manager. It was at Haig Avenue that his partnership with Graham Barrow was forged and when Southport folded in 1978 the pair moved to Altrincham, Harry as coach and Graham as a player. Wigan manager Larry Lloyd invited Harry to join him as assistant at Springfield Park and when Lloyd eventually left, Harry succeeded temporary manager Bobby Charlton, in charge of his first Football League club.

Harry was only out of work for a few months after parting company from Wigan before he was brought to Chester and his success was almost immediate. In his first full season in charge at Sealand Road, Chester were promoted from Division Four as runners-up to Swindon Town in 1985-86 and have since held their own in Division Three, albeit by the skin of their teeth during the two years at Moss Rose. Harry's devotion to the Chester cause is unquestionable and he freely admitted, "I have no ambitions in football beyond wanting to put the club on a sound footing."

Harry's reign as manager at Chester City Football Club ended during the 1992/93 season following a sting of poor results. The club struggled to survive in the second division and ended the season relegated to the third division of the football league.

Ian Rush - The Making of a Legend at Chester Football Club

Flint born youngster Ian Rush began his distinguished career at Sealand Road. After impressing in the youth ranks, he went on to play 34 League games and score 14 goals during the 1979-80 campaign.

Rushie made his debut in April 1979 in a 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday in midfield, but established himself as a potent centre forward the following season. His first league goal came when Chester drew 2-2 at Gillingham on September 15, 1979.

Rush's reputation was enhanced by scoring for Chester in a famous 2-0 FA Cup third round win at Newcastle United in January 1980, with Chester equalling their best run by reaching the last 16 where they narrowly lost to Ipswich Town two rounds later. Unfortunately the lateness of British Rail meant most Chester's fans missed Rushie's dazzling display of dexterity at Newcastle, they arrived at St James' Park just in time for the second half.

Rushie's last game for Chester was a 2-1 win over Southend United at Sealand Road on April 26, 1980, when unusually he failed to score.

Despite interest from Manchester City, and in spite of Rush being a boyhood Everton fanatic, Liverpool won the race to sign the 18-year old in April 1980. Manager Bob Paisley paid a record fee for a teenager of £300,000. It remains Chester's record sale.

Rush was managed throughout his time at Chester by Alan Oakes, although much of the credit for his development is given to youth manager Cliff Sear. Nearly 20 years later, Rush and Sear worked together on the coaching staff at Wrexham.

Later Rushie made his managerial debut back with Chester City at the Deva Stadium. Sadly a disappointing campaign meant Rushie was soon to be given his marching orders.