Author: Jeff Banks

CFU Board Statement

Posted by Jeff Banks on

City Fans United can confirm that Chairman David Harrington-Wright has decided to stand down from his current role as Chairman as well as membership on the Board of City Fans United.

 

Formally elected to the Board in October 2017, before taking over the role as Chairman in April the following Year, David oversaw a significant period of stability and revival for the Club which had been challenged through a financial crisis as well as subsequent flooding and the Covid-19 pandemic during his tenure.

 

In December 2019 David took the decision to temporarily step back from his role as Chairman to support and care for his wife Fiona who sadly passed away in January 2020. He has now decided to permanently stand down from his role which will allow him to focus on his own businesses and personal well-being during this difficult time.

 

David has agreed to kindly support the board through this period of transition for which the City Fans United board are grateful for.

 

Upon leaving his role and the Board David stated;

“ I have been truly honoured to be the Chairman and a board member of my beloved Chester FC, and it’s fair to say the almost three years on the board have been a roller coaster!

I would like to think I leave the club in a better position than when I joined – but it’s not been solely down to me. The hard work of all my fellow board members and many many volunteers is something I am immensely proud of, and I thank each and everyone of them.

A great thanks from me to all our sponsors as well who have stood by us in difficult times, and also to Stuart Murphy without whom we may not have seen as much quality football in the past year as we have!

Finally a great thanks to all the fans – the support I have received from the majority especially over the past year with the issues I had away from the club has been humbling.

I wish Chester the best going forward whenever Football recommences, as first and foremost I have always been a blue!’’

 

At the City Fans United Board Meeting held on 30th March 2020 it was confirmed that current Vice-Chairman Andrew Morris would step up into the role of Chairman initially until the next AGM scheduled for 22nd October 2020.

Andrew Morris stated ‘It is an honour to take up this role on behalf of the Board and the wider CFU membership and I look forward to continuing to work with David during his handover period and alongside my fellow Board Members to continue the good work and momentum this Club has built even during this difficult period

Under David Harrington-Wright’s stewardship this Club has progressed significantly on and off the field and I speak on behalf of all my fellow Board members when I say he will be missed’.

CFU’s Sign Up or Renew Now Campaign – Your Club Needs You!

Posted by Jeff Banks on

City Fans United recognise that we are in unprecedented times with the Coronavirus situation, and we urge everyone to stay safe and follow the advice presented to everyone to help get us through this uncertain and worrying time, for all of our families and friends.

 

For Chester FC, we are currently in territory not witnessed before as a football club, but are looking to meet this challenge head on, whilst we await news from the National League and Football Association, to try and establish a way forward for all clubs at Steps 1 and 2 in the football pyramid.

 

We know that nothing is guaranteed in our circles, but one thing that has always shone through is the support from our members and Chester fans in the UK, and indeed around the world,

 

We have a financial challenge that sees the club needing to raise a significant amount of money to guide us through the next few months, whilst we await news from the National League as to if and how they will support us.

 

So, how can the members of City Fans United and Chester FC help?

 

Well, this weekend, we would like to ask that all current members renew their City Fans United membership (if not done so already) and also consider at the same time setting up a Direct Debit to help us with our fighting fund going forward. So, this would mean a minimum £12 payment for annual membership, and a Direct Debit set up for a minimum of £2 per month – you can select the amount you wish to donate – please see the link below to set this up:

 

Renew Your Membership today & Set up a Direct Debit 

 

If you cannot stretch to both, then please either renew or join City Fans United for the first time via the link below, with a £12 payment – or instead, set up a Direct Debit for monthly payments for a minimum of £2 per month – whatever you can spare is truly appreciated by City Fans United.

 

Why set up a Direct Debit?

 

Well, that’s easy. It makes so much easier for future renewals as your membership will automatically renew in future years.

 

10 years ago, many members encouraged family members to help save football in the City of Chester, and now we need that monumental effort again – so please ask your family and friends to get involved again by becoming a member of City Fans United, and being a part owner of Chester FC!

 

Sign up here today

 

We would like to thank each and every one of you for playing your part this weekend, in trying to fundraise for Chester FC!

 

Stay safe.

 

Our City, Our Community, Our Club.

 

CFU Members April Meeting Cancelled

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Please note the forthcoming CFU members meeting initially set for Thursday 9th April, has been cancelled due to the ongoing challenges with the Coronavirus pandemic.

 

A new date will be set in due course, and we will be updating members of the ongoing situation, and how CFU members can help the club in what will be a financially challenging time.

 

Please continue to stay up to date with the latest public health advice, available here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Boys & Boden offer Members FREE Discount Card

Posted by Jeff Banks on

City Fans United are delighted to announce a new benefit for CFU members to take advantage of, as local builder’s merchants and DIY megastore Boys and Boden are offering every CFU member a new discount card to use in their store, based in Bretton, Chester (next to Airbus).

 

Visit the Boys and Boden website here for further information on what they have to offer in the one-stop shop for Building & Plumbing, Kitchen and DIY.

 

Gary Bebbington of Boys and Boden, was thrilled to be able to offer CFU members the discount, “We’re delighted to be able to offer City Fans United members our new discount card free of charge at Boys and Boden. We are a business that cares about the Community and we wanted to work with Chester FC knowing they are a fan owned club with the community at its heart.”

 

Boys and Boden are also giving discount cards to EVERY volunteer at Chester FC, in recognition of the role they play at the club, “We know that the success of Chester FC is built on volunteers and we wanted to offer our own thanks by giving those volunteers a discount card of their own. We also have our own café here in store, and if any volunteers or members with their discount card come in to the café and order food like a bacon or sausage sandwich then we’ll throw in a free cuppa to go with it!”

 

Kieron Shiel, the Chester FC director responsible for the Volunteers portfolio said, “It’s great to have Boys and Boden on board with our discount scheme that allows members to benefit by way of the free discount card, and it’s also a real positive to have another business approach Chester FC who have our excellent team of volunteers in their thoughts to reward too. Thanks to Gary and everyone at Boys and Boden for helping to make this happen!”

 

Chester FC’s extensive list of volunteers will shortly be presented with their discount card, whilst existing CFU members just need to produce their membership card at the till area in the Boys and Boden store on Broughton Mills Road, off Chester Road, in Bretton, Chester (next to Airbus) where they will then be given a free discount card to use in-store.

 

For Boys and Boden opening times please visit their website

CFU members to vote on new Home shirt

Posted by Jeff Banks on

 

Chester FC have announced on Monday that the members of City Fans United will vote on the design of the 2020/22 home shirt.

 

Renew your CFU membership here

 

In a press release on the official club website, it also confirms that Kappa have been chosen as Chester’s kit partner following the ending of an 8 year relationship with Puma.

 

Further details of the new shirt choices will be revealed later in the week, and CFU members will get to vote on next year’s home shirt, whilst CFU Junior Blues will be invited to a competition to design a new away kit, with details also following later this week.

 

Jeff Banks, director of Fan Engagement was delighted that the members will get the chance to choose the new shirts, “We’ve introduced some great benefits for members in the last 12 months, but the chance to have a say in the new shirts was always an important one for everyone on the Fan Engagement Working Group (FEWG) and we can all look forward to some great choices I’m sure.”

 

If you haven’t renewed your CFU membership, then now is the time to do just that, just click the link below and you can simply renew online.

Renew your CFU membership here

 

FREE Chips! Chip Chip Hooray!

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CHIP’D, the Dutch-inspired artisan chip shop based in Northgate Street who provide one of our members discounts, are celebrating their first birthday on Saturday 8th February at 12pm. To celebrate, the first 50 guests will receive a FREE cone of chips. Grab your free chips then head down to Chester FC home game against Blyth Spartans!

 

Click here to view all of our members discounts

 

To celebrate a busy first year and to say thank-you to all their customers, the first 50 guests through the door from 12pm will receive a free cone of their delicious ‘twice-cooked’ chips, along with a dip of choice from the impressive range of 17 tasty sauces.

 

Local MP Chris Matheson will be kicking the party off and joining the celebrations in store. There will be music and free face painting for the kids.

 

Founder, Andrew McKechnie, comments: “Our first year has been a blast, we have been busy serving our chips to our customers who enjoy our delicious, fresh food, lovely team and welcoming shop on Northgate St. This time last year most people didn’t know what a Dutch chip was, but now they know their Frikandels from their Frites sauce! We have had lots of highlights over the year from winning awards for our food and friendly staff to collaborations with The Bao Revolution, Meltdown, Chester Beer & Wine and The Konie Boys. 2020 is set up to be another great year for us with new vegan menu items, more local food collaborations, involvement in Chester Live and we’ll continue to support Chester FC and their loyal supporters. We will be out and about in our new Food Truck bringing our chips, dips & snacks to events, festivals & parties. Everyone in Chester has been so supportive so this is our way of saying thank-you with a free cone of chips!”

 

CHIP’D specialise in Dutch-style chips, taking the finest Agria potatoes, hand-chipping them, twice-cooking them before flipping in salt and serving with a mouth-watering range of sauces. CHIP’D also serve up tasty snacks such as Bitterballen, Frikandel, Croquettes, Chick’n Dippers & Mozzarella Dippers. They have an extensive vegan offer and cater to guests looking for Gluten Free or Halal options.

 

Remember, CFU members can benefit from a regular discount of 15% discount on all food upon production of CFU membership card (cannot be used in conjunction with other offers). PLUS a FREE portion of Bitterballen for CFU members on home matchdays!!!

 

CHIP’D is at 124 Northgate Street, Chester CH1 2HT and delivery via Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats.

Opening hours are 7 days a week 11:30am till 8pm and 10pm Fri & Sat.

For more information, email info@chipd.co.uk

or visit: https://chipd.co.uk

or follow: https://www.instagram.com/chipflipdip/https://www.facebook.com/chipflipdip

CFU Members Informal Meeting – Thursday 6th February -LIVE STREAM ON TWITTER

Posted by Jeff Banks on

The next City Fans United informal members meeting will take place on Thursday 6th February, in the Blues Bar at Chester FC. It will also be streamed LIVE on the City Fans United Twitter account @cityfansunited

 

The meeting will get underway at 7.30pm and as it’s a informal meeting, it’s open to all and not restricted to current members on the night.

 

Chester FC joint managers Bern and Jonno will be joining us for the meeting, and will there to answer your questions in a Q+A session. If you are not able to make the meeting but would like to ask a question for the live stream, please email FEWG@chesterfc.com by Wednesday 5th February and we’ll do our best to put it to the managers.

 

We look forward to seeing you there on the night.

 

CFU AGM Live Streaming Details

Posted by Jeff Banks on

This Thursday night sees the City Fans United AGM take place at the Deva Stadium, kicking off at 7.30pm.

 

The meeting, which is for existing members only is being streamed via the Zoom app on Thursday night for members that cannot attend the meeting that will be hosted in the Blues Bar.

 

Before the meeting gets underway there will also be a presentation from Stuart Murphy as he updates on future plans relating to infrastructure developments. This will begin promptly at 7pm.

 

 

Those wishing to access the live stream need to email jeff.banks@chesterfc.com by 6pm on Wednesday 20th November quoting their name and membership number  in order for invites to be sent out in time.

Click here for more details on Zoom