JIM HARVEY has left rock-bottom Chester City.
The 51-year-old, who took over the managerial reins of the crisis-hit club from Mick Wadsworth in October, has left City by mutual consent and has become the 11th person to leave the Blues’ hotseat since former club owner Stephen Vaughan arrived at Chester eight years ago.
Harvey’s departure arrives amid of rumours suggesting newly-appointed director of football, Morell Maison is about the buy out the club.
Harvey’s son, Steve, was part of a consortium which had been interested at one stage in taking over control of the troubled club.
But Maison, who has met representatives of Chester supporters group, City Fans United, in the last few days, is now poised to step in and run the club.
Harvey, who was not under a contract during his time at Chester, said: “My departure came about quite simply. I received a phone call from Stephen Vaughan who told me that Morell Maison wanted to bring in his own management team,
“I am obviously bitterly disappointed to leave Chester by mutual consent because I loved my time there, but life was always very difficult under the circumstances.
“I thoroughly enjoyed working with the players and I got on well with the Chester supporters. My family still live in that area and I’d love to think I can return and manage Chester again in better times.
“I’m really sorry my time at Chester has come to an end.
“I’ve only informed club captain and assistant manager Tim Ryan about my decision so far, but I’m hoping to get an opportunity soon to speak to the rest of the players."
Harvey, who has left Chester 25 points adrift of safety in the Blue Square Premier after starting the season on minus 25 points, is now being heavily linked with the managerial vacancy at Kidderminster Harriers.
He added: “I am now obviously available for the Kidderminster Harriers job and it is a job I would be interested in.”
Harvey, who once had a brief spell as Chester’s youth coach, was sacked by Forest Green in August for a “serious breach of contract”, after being strongly linked with the summer vacancy at Cambridge United.
It was a victory for Forest Green against Chester at the Deva Stadium earlier this season that cost Wadsworth his job after a sixth defeat in 13 games, allowing Harvey the chance to return to management.
Northern Irishman Harvey began his career with Glenavon before being signed by Arsenal as a teenager.
He spent two-and-a-half years at Highbury before moving on to Hereford United and then to Prenton Park to make his name with Chester’s neighbours Tranmere Rovers.
But he then had a long first job in management at Morecambe, his 12-year reign ending only because of a heart attack. After his departure from Christie Park was confirmed in May 2006, Harvey then moved on to Forest Green four months later.