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NEWS FROM DEVA STADIUM 2010

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MAY
29 May 2010
SIGNINGS CONTINUE
The latest players to sign for Chester are Greg Stones a defender who has played for Rhyl and TNS. Also joining the club is former TNS, Bangor and Rhyl striker Mark Connolly.
28 May 2010
YOUNG MAKES FIRST SIGNINGS
Manager Neil Young has made his first signings as squad building for the 2010/11 season gets underway at Deva Stadium. Welcome to the following who join the squad today:

Danny Meadowcroft
Position — Centre Back
Danny is a former Northwich Victoria, Morecambe, and Stockport County player.

Rob Hopley
Position Centre Forward
Rob will be joining Chester from Colwyn Bay, and is a tall physical player who finished top scorer with 23 goals for Bay last season as they gained promotion from the Unibond North League.

Richard Whiteside
Position Goalkeeper
Richard joins the Blues from Burscough FC.

Daniel Mahoney
Position Midfield
Daniel joins Chester from Bamber Bridge Football Club, and comes with experience of Conference football.

Richard Foulkes
Position Midfield
Richard, joins from Cammell Lairds FC.

More signings are expected soon as Chester’s preparation for next season continue.
27 May 2010
SECOND FRIENDLY ANNOUNCED
Chester will travel the short distance to play Airbus UK on Tuesday 20 July. The match will kick-off at 19:30hrs and thanks to a generous offer from the hosts, half of the proceeds will be donated to Chester FC.

Games against both Bangor City and Tranmere Rovers are also possibilities as manager Neil Young looks to put his new squad together through the summer.

CFU ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
City Fans United (CFU) hold their Annual General Meeting tonight at the Home Guard Social Club on Canal Street, Chester. Doors open at 19:45 for a 20:00hrs start. New manager Neil Young will be in attendance and he will draw the winners of the Seals Lottery, and also the Member-Get-Member scheme for May.

During the AGM the following items will be presented / discussed:

Board’s Annual Report
Ratification of New Board Member in the absence of challenging candidates
Accounts for the Financial Year ending November 2009 & Accountant’s Independent Examination Report
Appointment of Accountant to carry out an Audit for Financial Year ending November 2010
Adopt Supporters Direct model rules for a Supporter run Football Club
Any other business
All members are urged to attend the meeting and hear the latest new regarding CFU and Chester FC. As this is a members only meeting, please bring your membership card with you.
25 May 2010
MANAGEMENT DUO AT THE DEVA
Chester’s new management team of Neil Young (below left) and his assistant Gary Jones were introduced to the press at Deva Stadium today. In an interview later on radio Merseyside the new man in charge said he hoped to have his first five or six signings in place by the weekend.

Pictures © Evening Leader
21 May 2010
YOUNG APPOINTED CHESTER BOSS
Chester have wasted no time in appointing their new manager, he’s former Colwyn Bay boss Neil Young and he brings with him his assistant, Chester-born Gary Jones, after the two clubs agreed their release. The pair spent 18 months at the Unibond Division One North side and recently guided the team to promotion via the play-off’s.

Chester FC Chief Executive Officer, Steve Ashton said, “We are absolutely delighted with the appointment of Neil and Gary, they are a successful management team and have shown their commitment to Chester FC, both recognise the long term potential of the club and have demonstrated this by coming to the Deva. We look forward to being joined by Neil and Gary, and we would like to thank Colwyn Bay for the way they have conducted themselves.”

Young told the official Colwyn Bay website: “It’s with a heavy heart that today I will be leaving Colwyn Bay. I have had a fantastic 18 months at the club and the win and scenes at Lancaster in the play off final will live with me forever.”

“Myself and Gary would like to thanks the directors and officials of Colwyn Bay for giving us the opportunity to manage such a great club and the fans who I can't speak highly enough of for the loyal support and kind words during my time as manager.”

“I hope we have brought you enjoyable times and that the club under their new manager prospers both on and off the field. Again, Thank You.”

Chester will play a pre-season friendly at Llanelian Road on Saturday 10 July as part of the deal.

CLUB APPEAL AGAINST LEAGUE PLACING
It has been confirmed that the club have appealed to the Football Association over their placing at Step 5 in the league structure. The appeal follows an enquiry for clarification on the criteria and subsequent reasons for the decision to be placed in Step 5, Chester FC await the response to this request.

CHESTER ARE BACK...
That was the overwhelming feeling among the 500+ supporters who turned up last night at the Guildhall to herald the launch of Chester FC, a new community club for the people of Chester.

With the launch comes the new club crest designed by Martin Huxley who is a lifelong Chester fan, and City Fans United member. It’s a stylised version of the traditional wolf’s head with crown crest and is shown rising ‘phoenix-like’ from the flames. A superb evolution from the previous design.

Grenville Millington, Andy Walsh general manager of FC United of Manchester and many others made speeches to the packed crowd and there was a tremendous reception for former goalscoring hero Daryl Clare who came over from Lincolnshire to be inducted into the CFU Hall of Fame.

Here are some simple ways you can help your Club.
• Recruit your friends and family into CFU membership
• Donate to the Blues Fund to help us start our Club
• Take out a regular Standing Order Contribution
• Join the Blues Lottery
• Volunteer to help at the Club
• Get any company or organisation to sponsor the Club in some way
• Once the season starts get as many friends, colleagues and family along to matches as you can

Club crest corporate guidelines | CFU download documents | View highlights of the meeting

20 May 2010
HISTORIC NIGHT FOR SUPPORTERS
Tonight marks the official re-birth of Chester Football Club. An open meeting at the Chester Guildhall, Watergate Street, supporters will see the unveiling of the new club crest, an update of City Fans United (CFU) activities, and detailed information on how the public of Chester can help make a success of their new football club

Former player and goal scoring hero of the 2004 Conference championship season Daryl Clare will be in attendance as he is inducted as the third member of the CFU Hall of Fame joining Grenville Millington and Gary Talbot the two other players with the accolade.

The meeting starts at 20:00hrs with the doors opening 30 minutes beforehand. This is open to all supporters, whether CFU members or not and entrance is free.
MANAGERIAL APPOINTMENT SOON?
Chester FC could have its first team manager in place by the end of next week. Chief executive Steve Ashton has received over 50 enquiries for the position and is already drawing up a short list of suitable candidates after the deadline for applications closed yesterday.

Ashton told the Chester Chronicle: “We have been interviewing and shortlisting candidates as we’ve been going along as there’s no time to waste.”

“We’re hoping to have something by the end of next week, which will mean we’ve made an offer by the end of May and have someone in place for the beginning of June.”

CFU chairman Chris Pilsbury told the Evening Leader: “I hope the news regarding the league we will be playing in won’t affect the ambitions of those managers who have applied for the job.”

“Yes, we will be starting lower down the pyramid than we originally thought, but it’s the same Chester Football Club and those people who have applied will feel they are able to take us all the way back to where we came from. I haven’t seen the list of names that have applied for the manager’s job, but I am aware that there are a number of candidates who are former Football League managers.”

“Not one of the applicants has pulled out which is good to hear, and I am sure whoever does get the job will be wanting to make a difference.”
18 May 2010
STATEMENT FROM THE VODKAT LEAGUE
Following the recommendation by the Football Association that Chester FC join Level 5 next season the Vodkat League have issued the following statement on their website today.

“The League Management Committee has received a recommendation from the FA that the newly formed Chester FC should be placed at Step 5 in the National League System, in the Vodkat League Premier Division.

The League Secretary has requested clarification from the FA on a number of points relating to this issue, and further details will be published on the league website once a response has been received from the FA.

For the purposes of clarity, whatever final decision is made, it will not affect promotion and relegation issues already decided for the 2009-10 season.

Given the current speculation surrounding this issue, it should also be pointed out that the normal process for the election of any club to our league is as follows.

The club involved presents itself for election at the League AGM, and the existing member clubs vote on whether the new club should be accepted. As this year's League AGM will be held on Saturday 19th June, until then, any pronouncements or assumptions about Chester FC or any other club joining our league are premature.”
17 May 2010
VODKAT START FOR CHESTER
City Fans United have been informed that Chester FC will start next season at non-league level 5 at the highest, in the Vodkat League (The North West Counties League). This will come as a big disappointment to many who were expecting the new club to start higher in The Evo-Stik North or South League. They will now start at least four levels down from where they were when they were kicked out of the Football Conference.

It is yet to be confirmed in the club start in the Vodkat Premier Division, though CFU have been informed that would be recommended by the FA. Other teams in that division, and our possible opponents next year include: Congleton Town, Winsford United, Alsager Town, Ramsbottom United and Nelson, the team Chester replaced when they joined the Football League back in 1931!.

The First Division, which may still be a possibility, includes: Atherton Collieries, Eccleshall, Wigan Robin Park and AFC Liverpool.

The Vodkat League was formed in 1982 with the amalgamation of the Cheshire County League and the Lancashire Combination.

On hearing of the news, City Fans United (CFU) released the following statement this afternoon.

“Chester Football Club can confirm that they have received notice that The Leagues Committee of The FA have recommended that the reformed club be placed at Step 5 of the National League System. Step 5 is the North West Counties League Premier Division.”

“There were no vacancies within Step 3 or 4 to be allocated to Chester FC, this was a major contributory factor in the decision.”

Chester FC CEO Steve Ashton commented: “We are naturally disappointed with this decision, as we had hoped to be placed in a higher league. Regardless of this, the board remain focused and resolute in their objectives of building a successful football club for our City.”
13 May 2010
CHESTER FC LAUNCH NIGHT
City Fans United are holding a meeting at the Chester Guildhall in Watergate Street on Thursday 20 May when Chester FC will be officially launched.

The new club crest will be revealed to those at the meeting which is set up to celebrate the birth of the new club. Entry is free and is open to all supporters, whether CFU members or not. Those wishing to join the ever-growing organisation can of course do so on the night. Doors open at 19:20 in readiness for a 20:00 start.


CFU PRESS RELEASE
With just 12 weeks to the start of the new season, City Fans United are proud to present the official re-birth of Chester Football Club this Thursday at a public meeting at the Guild Hall, in Chester, commencing at 8pm with doors opening from 7.30pm as the people of Chester are invited to throw their support behind the club.

This will be an historic night in one of the most historic buildings in Chester, which will include the dramatic revelation of the new club crest, and how we intend on building a football club from scratch in a short space of time.

Blues legends Daryl Clare and Grenville Millington will be joining us on this momentous occasion, and we’ll also be giving a full update on the progress being made for the future of Chester FC, including our plans for the Community involvement and the CFU Junior Blues.

It will also be a night where we'll be looking for the public to throw their weight behind Chester FC, as the more money that is raised, the better Manager Chester FC will be able to hire, and a bigger playing budget he will be given.

CFU Chairman, Chris Pilsbury said, “It's the chance for the Chester public to come to the club's re-birth and send a message to the people of Chester, the Council, key potential sponsors, and the FA that we are back. Every single fan will make a difference and this their chance to show that Chester FC mean business!”
9 May 2010
SEARCH FOR MANAGER BEGINS
Chester FC have advertised for a manager in today’s Non-League Paper, the closing dates for applications is 19 May. Those interested in applying should send their CV along with a covering letter to Steve Ashton, Chief Executive, Chester FC, Deva Stadium, Bumpers Lane, Chester CH1 4LT. Applications can be emailed to media@cityfansunited.com.

Ashton told the NLP: “I'll lead us off the pitch, but we need to find the man to take us forward on it. It is a different situation to what many managers face when applying for a new job. The club has no players, so clearly we need someone who can piece together a talented squad from scratch. What we haven't got is a great deal of time to find the right person.”

“We don’t know what division we will be competing in, but the playing budget has already been set. We have a business plan and we are determined to make a strong start. We really want to hit the ground running wherever we are. We hope to get some extra sponsorship in place and our aim is to make this a community club which the people of Chester and our fans can be proud of. Hopefully we can prove that both on and off the pitch.”
6 May 2010
WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
With the lease of the ground now in their hands, the CFU and notified the Football Association of their intentions for Chester FC to play at Deva Stadium next August. At what level in the non-league pyramid they will be playing remains to be seen but it could be as high as the Evo-Stik Premier League � previously the UniBond Premier. In effect only one down from where they would have been had the previous club carried on and been relegated to the Conference North this year.

It seems more likely though that Chester could start the 2010/11 season a division below that in either the Evo-Stik First Division North or South.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE REVEALED
Steve Ashton has been named as the chief executive put in charge of seeing the return of football to Deva Stadium. Ashton, who was born in Chester and is a lifelong City fan, is head of sports partnerships at Bank of America (previously known as MBNA) and will fill the role for eight months at no cost to the club.

Ashton, in his first official interview in the position told the Chester Chronicle: “I’m absolutely delighted to be taking this role as it allows me to put my skills into my football club,” said Mr Ashton, whose position at Bank of America means he has close relationships with a host of Premier League clubs including Liverpool FC.

“A key to my role will be harnessing the business community and working in partnership with the business community to realise the potential of the club.

“Business community involvement is critical to the success of the club and that is why I would urge anyone with an interest to get in touch right away.”
5 May 2010
CFU GAIN DEVA CONTROL
It’s an historic day for football in the city of Chester, as City Fans United (CFU) have been granted control of the lease of Deva Stadium by Cheshire West and Chester Council for the next five years. The council have now urged the Chester public and local business to support and advise the new club on their venture.

After months of dedicated hard work and relentless media campaigning by CFU, at both local and national level, the ambitious plans to launch a community club, Chester FC, this summer have taken a huge step forward with this news.

City Fans United have issued the following statement...

CFU PRESS RELEASE
City Fans United are delighted to announce that following meetings with representatives of Cheshire West & Chester Council, the lease to the Deva Stadium, will now been assigned to City Fans United. This will enable Chester Football Club to use the ground from a date to be confirmed.

This is obviously great news for all Chester FC fans, as it means we can continue to plan for the future at a ground that enables the history of Chester Football Club to continue. We will now be looking to recruit a first team manager, interested applicants should contact CFU via media@cityfansunited.com

City Fans United are naturally delighted with the decision CWaC have made. Chris Pilsbury, CFU Chairman said, “We would like to express our gratitude to all involved for their assistance in bringing the fans the news they so desired.”

“We look forward to living up to the faith the Council have shown in the CFU business plan, and working in partnership to give our City a Football Club that we can all be proud of.”

“The really hard work begins now. We are all one step closer to bringing football home to Chester but your Club needs you! If you have yet to join CFU please consider doing so, and if you are already a member please encourage others to join. Football in Chester will belong to the community – be part of it!”

City Fans United are also interested in hearing from members of the business community who would be interested in discussing sponsorship opportunities with Chester Football Club. A number of flexible packages are available, please email media@cityfansunited.com with your interest and you will be contacted by a member of the board.
COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE
COUNCIL OFFERS DEVA STADIUM LEASE TO CITY FANS UNITED
Cheshire West and Chester Council have decided to offer a five year lease on the Deva Stadium to City Fans United – supporters group pledged to maintain league football in the city.

The decision announced today (Wednesday) was made after detailed consideration of the business cases presented by CFU and Danish Consortium, Fodbold Selskabet.

Both bidders presented their business case to a special panel led by Chief Executive Steve Robinson and including independent business men and a advisor with experience of the establishment of a Phoenix Club.

Later both groups were questioned by panel members and asked to clarify issues raised during the presentation.

Today (Wednesday) Chief Executive Steve Robinson issued the following statement; –

“The Panel was impressed with the professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment shown by both groups. Consequently, reaching a final decision has not been easy.

“Strengths and weaknesses in both cases have been carefully assessed and balanced in the knowledge that time-scales governing this process are acutely short, if Chester is to have league football next season.”

“The Danish Consortium combined an obvious passion for English football with some very innovative ideas and financial support, both immediate and potential.

“We are extremely grateful for their very keen interest and the considerable time taken to formulate the bid and travel to the U.K to present their case.

“However, it was the Panel’s unanimous view that City Fans United, were further advanced in terms of required management structure and overall ability to enter a team into whichever league is determined by the FA.

“Without doubt, their pride in club and city is unrivalled, as indeed, would be the support for their proposal from the people of Chester and its surrounding area.

“It was these factors, combined with the very strong community engagement element in their case which persuaded the panel to assign the lease of Deva Stadium for five years to the CFU Board.

“CFU have promised a club ‘run by the community for the community’ with a multi-sport approach designed to reach all sections of our society from the young to the disadvantaged.

“On that basis this authority will do everything it can to help, support and advise the new club and we urge the Chester public and businesses to do so as well.

“Whilst the Danish Consortium is bound to be disappointed with the outcome, their enthusiasm to be involved with Chester FC, could perhaps still be channeled into working with and providing support to CFU.”

Ends

For further information please contact Ian Callister, Senior Media Relations Manager on 01244 972216 or Steve Robinson Chief Executive on 01244 975968

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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