Category: CFU Board News

CFU Board Statement

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 Board – Update

City Fans United directors have strengthened the board with Paul McDermott joining as an external director.

Paul, (58), brings a wealth of business experience, and will help develop the link between the board and Stuart Murphy, who are intending on working together to develop the club in the near future.

On his appointment as an external director, Paul said, “I am delighted to be involved in the club and to play a part in its development off the pitch and enjoy its success on it.”

Welcome to the board of City Fans United, Paul.

Board of Directors – Update

City Fans United would like to advise of a couple of additions to the board of directors.

 

Firstly, we welcome Kieron Shiel who was co-opted on the board at Tuesday night’s meeting of board members, and will be initially looking at the Volunteers portfolio.

 

Kieron has been co-opted following our open request for those interested in joining the CFU board, and fills the one available place at present until the AGM later this year, when he will be able to apply for election to the board.

 

Kieron will assume the role of Volunteer coordination, recruitment and development. He has a wide range of skills and experience including project and programme management, large scale people management and information technology.

 

The board have also welcomed a new external director, as Chris Robertson joins and will assume the Treasurer role, also until this year’s AGM.

 

Chris brings to the board senior management experience and has most recently worked for over 10 years as a management consultant with a wide range of charities, social enterprises and the UN.

 

As is standard with such appointments, both are subject to approval from the FA and criminal record checks.

 

We would like to thank everyone that got in touch, and also to Richard Lynes for his extensive time and effort in speaking to all of those who got in touch following our request. Our working groups will also be contacting some of those people with a view to strengthening each group.

 

We are also making progress with the position of CFU Secretary, following Marion Needham’s announcement at the 2018 AGM that she would be stepping down from the Secretary role during the course of 2019. We hope to make a further announcement on this in due course.

 

The next CFU meeting will take place on Thursday 21st March, starting at 7.30pm and will take place in the Blues Bar at Chester FC. This will be an informal meeting which will be streamed live on the CFU You Tube channel.

 

Vice Chairman appointed

The board of City Fans United can confirm that following the recent resignation of Calvin Hughes, Andrew Morris has now been elected as vice chairman at the board meeting on Monday 7th January.

 

Andrew joined the board in October 2017 and assumes the position with immediate effect.

 

As a reminder, the formal members meeting will take place in the Blues Bar at the Swansway Chester Stadium, next Thursday (17th January) at 7.30pm.

 

CFU Director News

The City Fans United board can confirm that Calvin Hughes has resigned from his position as director.

 

Calvin was co-opted back on to the board in January 2018, and was then fully elected at the CFU AGM in September..

 

He also took over as Acting Secretary following the departure of Tony Allan in August 2018.

 

The board would like to place on record our thanks to Calvin for his hard work throughout his time back on the board, and wish him all the very best in the future.

 

Merry Christmas from CFU

The board of directors would like to wish all members a very enjoyable and safe Christmas.

 

We would also like to thank everyone who has volunteered their time for both CFU and Chester FC – without you, the club could not function.

 

The board really appreciate every single minute of time donated to the club that we all strive to improve, and recognise that at times it may feel that it’s a thankless role, but please be assured that we really would not have a club if it wasn’t for those dedicating their time for the love of the club.

 

We hope that you all enjoy your festivities and that we will continue to become stronger in 2019 thanks to your efforts volunteering for the club we all love.

 

Finally, we would like to thank the management team, players and backroom staff for what they have achieved in 2018, and hope that 2019 will deliver the results that we are all striving for.

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The board of directors.

 

CFU AGM set for Thursday 27th September 2018

The 2018 City Fans United Annual General Meeting has been set for Thursday 27th September, commencing at 7.30pm, and will take place in the Blues Bar at Chester FC’s Swansway Chester Stadium.

 

Due to resignations in 2018, and expiry of tenure there will be a total of five vacancies, to bring numbers on the board back up to ten.

 

To be eligible to stand for election, you must be 18 years of age or over and must have been a member of City Fans United for at least 60 days prior to the closing date for nominations which is 17th August, 2018.  This means that you must have been a fully paid up member since 18th June, 2018.   The same eligibility rule applies if you are nominating someone to stand for the board.

 

A notification has been sent out by email or by post to all current members. If you have not received this mailing by Wednesday 1st August, please email marion.needham@chesterfc.com in the first instance.

 

Details of how to stand for election are contained within the information sent out in the email/post by Marion and also contain links to Director Duties and also a nomination form and manifesto template.

 

 

Wrexham fixture – Board Statement

The CFU Board would like to take the opportunity to thank fans for their exemplary behaviour at the Cross-Border Derby game on Saturday against Wrexham.

We hope it is another step towards the removal of the bubble restrictions we currently have.

The Board have also been made aware of some concerns among supporters who attended the Wrexham game with regards to the ban on the sale of alcohol.

At last year’s fixture there was damage caused to Wrexham’s stadium by some Chester fans which cost our club a significant amount of money. At a subsequent CFU meeting members felt that the sale of alcohol at the ground was a contributory factor.

This was discussed and agreed with Safety Advisory Group as it was felt that the non-sale of alcohol would represent a reciprocal arrangement between the clubs.

Once again, we would like to thank supporters for their terrific following and behaviour at the weekend.