City Fans United Launch Online Members’ Forum

Posted by Charlotte Walker on

The board of City Fans United and Chester FC are proud to launch a brand-new online members’ forum. This forum will be a place where CFU members can ask the board questions, provide feedback, and have access to exclusive content.

CFU Chair, Kieron Shiel, says: “Our commitment to face-to-face fan forums, CFU meetings, and engaging with those members who aren’t frequent internet users continues to be high on our agenda.

However, we really hope that this platform will become a valuable tool as part of how we further improve and enhance engagement and communication with our CFU members.

We want to foster an honest and transparent culture at this club, and we hope that by giving fans another direct link to the board we can make further strides.”

As part of our drive to improve fan engagement there is an ‘ask the board’ area on the forum, questions asked here will become a standing item on informal board meeting agendas.

To sign up for the members’ forum head to https://cityfansunited.boards.net/.

As this is a CFU members-only forum we will need to verify that you are a CFU member before approving your access. As part of registration, you will be required to use your real name rather than a pseudonym. If possible, please also use the email address that is registered to your CFU membership, this will speed up your approval.

We would also encourage you to upload a photo of yourself. In the navigation bar, go to ‘profile’ and click ‘edit profile’ to upload an image as your avatar.

Please allow up to 48 hours from signing up for your access to be reviewed and approved.

We want to ensure that this outlet remains a positive and constructive platform, and as such we expect our members to follow the guide on acceptable usage.

If you are not yet a CFU member but would like to sign up and access the members’ forum you can do so here.

CFU AGM 2022

Posted by Jeff Banks on

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of City Fans United and Chester Football Club takes place on Thursday, 3 November at the Deva Stadium.

The meeting, which begins at 7.30pm with doors open from 7pm, will take place in the Blues Bar.

CFU members should now have received an AGM pack in the post or via email. The meeting papers can also be viewed here.

The AGM is key time for CFU members and we are hoping for a good attendance at this meeting.

The agenda contains a number of important items, including elections to the CFU Board as the number of candidates exceeds the available places.

For members who are not able to attend, the meeting will be live streamed via Microsoft Teams (please check your emails on Wednesday 2nd November as the link will be sent out on that day) and votes can be submitted using the proxy form direct to the Returning Officer (Mr Philip Young). An email will shortly be sent to members with details on how to join the meeting online.

If you have not received an AGM pack or have any questions for the AGM, please contact CFU Secretary Christine Robson at chris.robson@chesterfc.com.

CFU Board Summary – September 2022

Posted by Charlotte Walker on

Present:  Kieron Shiel (Chair), Jim Green Nick Phillipson, Kate Mylchreest, Charlotte Walker (by video link)., Matt Dickenson and Ian Swettenham. In attendance – Christine Robson (Secretary) and Georgina Slawinski.

Apologies: Adam Langan. Mike Vickers, Alex Owen, and Paul Bodman (not notified) and Jeff Banks

Minutes of Meeting held on 13th August 2022 –   Minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record.

Action Log Review – Kieron Shiel (KS) went through all the actions that were still pending and received updates from all the directors.

Online Forum – Charlotte Walker (CW) presented a power point regarding a new online forum.  The purpose of the new forum was to create a space for fans to have a conversation and interact with the Board.  It is also designed to communicate and engage with members and combat misinformation.  It will provide fans with “real time2 updates and opportunities to become involved.  It was hoping that it would go live on 17th October 2022j

Commercial Pipeline – Georgina Slawinski (GS) stated that there were plenty of meetings taking place next week.  Was sorting out a “Lifestyle Card” meeting and would update the Board at a later meeting.  Sponsorship for the stadium was slow.  We had a company called Clay & Rock who had sponsored several boards.

Football Update – Jim Green (JG) stated that we have a couple of long-term injuries plus a couple of short term. Calum was looking at a loan but is aware of the budget.  It will only be for one month.  All players out on loan have been done.

Finance Update – As Matt Dickenson (MD) stated that the accounts for last year had gone off to the auditors.

Premier League Funding and Catering – Nick Phillipson (NP) had spoken to Steve Povey regarding several areas that needed upgrading.  Pitch irrigation needed new sprinklers.  It must be done before next season.  We need to revisit the disability viewing platform and seat replacements.  Adam Langan stated that the Disability Liaison Officer was happy to have a cover erected.  Looking at upgrading the Education Room.

AOB – Safety Update, JG, CWAC and Steve Povey had a meeting.  Inspectors will do a documented audit followed by an in-person visit (September) and one in January 2023, followed up by one in July 2023.   Looking at a pay review for stewards.  Steve Povey has recruited some new stewards.  He will do in=house training and a verifier will come and certify that stewards have passed.

CW wanted to make sure that the future campaign for Boost the Budget is not overlooked.

The next official Board meeting would be Saturday 8th October 2022 at the Chester Deva Stadium at 10.30am

Election to the Board of City Fans United and Chester FC

Posted by Mike Day on

The date of the AGM has already been published and I now formally confirm that it will be Thursday 3rd November 2022 at 7.30pm in The Blues Bar.  I am writing to all our members to invite them to stand for election to the Board of City Fans United and Chester Football Club.  Due to a resignation since last year and expiry of tenure there will be a total of four vacancies, to bring our numbers back up to our normal Board of eleven.

If you would like to meet with a director, please let me know as soon as possible and I will make the necessary arrangements for this to happen.

If elected, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the future success and on-going development of Chester FC and City Fans United; you will normally serve as a Director for a period of three years before standing down or being re-elected.  More information about the role of a director is attached.

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 nomination which is 21st September 2022.  This means that you must have been a fully paid up member by 23rd July 2022.  The same eligibility rule applies if you are nominating someone to stand for the board.

Linked below you will find a nomination form should you wish to put yourself forward for one of the vacant board positions.  You should complete the form and also obtain two nominations from other members of City Fans United (a current member of the Board cannot be a nominee).  The nominations can take the form of a signature on your application form, or can be provided separately by email in support of your application if you are unable to obtain a physical signature from your sponsor.

You have the opportunity to write a manifesto of not less than 400 words and up to a maximum of 800 words.  The manifesto should be set out based on the template linked below and used to sell the skills and expertise that you can bring to the board.  You should also include a passport size photograph of yourself which can be circulated to members along with your manifesto.  There will be no campaigning other than circulation of the manifestos: this includes self-promotion of any form including use of social media.  Full details of the election policy are included on the CFU website and you must abide by the rules for the conduct of elections set out in the policy.  In the event that we have more applications than places available, an election will be held and members will use this information to elect candidates of their choice to the board.

If elected you will be required to complete a criminal record check and the FA Owners’ & Directors Test’; the requirements relating to this may be viewed at www.thefa.com.  This test is broadly similar to our requirements of board members:

·      You must not be a disqualified director

·      You must not be subject to a bankruptcy order or have an Individual           Voluntary Arrangement in place with creditors.

·      You must not have any unspent criminal convictions.

Nominations with your manifesto should be returned to me at the Deva Stadium (registered office), Bumpers Lane, Chester CH1 4LT and marked “Private and in Confidence” or emailed to me at chris.robson@chesterfc.com , to arrive no later than 4pm on Wednesday 21st September 2022.

If you have any questions on the election process or on board membership in general, please contact me via email address or telephone 01244 371376.

Finally, on behalf of the board, thank you for your continued support.

Yours sincerely

Christine R Robson

Secretary, Chester City Supporters’ Society    

Document Links:

Duties of a Director
Manifesto Template
Nomination Form

CFU Board Summary – July 2022

Posted by Charlotte Walker on

Present: Jim Green (Chair), Nick Phillipson, Adam Langan, Jeff Banks, Kate Mylchreest and Charlotte Walker (by video link). In attendance – Christine Robson (Secretary).

Apologies: Kieron Shiel, Matt Dickenson, Mike Vickers, Alex Owen (not notified) and Paul Bodman (not notified)

Minutes of Meeting held on 9th June 2022 – Minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record.

Action Log Review – Jim Green JG went through all the actions that were still pending and received updates from all the directors.

Football Update – JG stated that the team had a couple of injuries and had some new signings. We had an increased playing budget with the help of a donation from Ian Swettenham. The Manager had mentioned that he wanted to introduce a new travel arrangement for away games which would include a pre-match meeting and meal with the players.

Finance Update – As Matt Dickenson (MD) was absent from the meeting, the update would be deferred to the next official board meeting.

Conflicts of Interest – As MD was absent from the meeting, this would be deferred to the next official board meeting.

Job Description – Adam Langan (AL) had circulated a paper to the board regarding the job description for the Media and PR Officer’s role. AL had done some research into the job role and went through all the commercial work that Albert Davies had undertaken since March 2022. Albert had brought to the club significant revenue and AL felt that his salary should reflect the extra work that he has undertaken. He asked the Board to vote on the increase in salary, which was unanimous. AL also asked the Board to consider the change of name to Communications Manager & Football Administrator. The Board did not have an objection to this change.

Catering Contract – Nick Phillipson (NP) had circulated a paper to the Board regarding the Legends Lounge, Blues Bar, mobile vans, and the kiosks. Hopefully everything would be in place for the start of the season

AOB – AL mentioned the perimeter of the pitch needed some repair. A suggestion was made about putting down Astro Turf. AL would get some quotes.
AL had put forward two dates for a “Volunteers Day” at the club. Dates were Sunday 24th July 2022 and Sunday 7th August 2022. Asked that some directors be present at both days.


Georgina (GS) was looking at some match day events and asked whether it was possible to have a budget. JB thought that it would be a good idea to trial it for the first five home matches. This was agreed.


Charlotte (CW) asked whether we could have a gazebo and sell “Seals Lottery and CFU membership. It would be helpful if the duty director put in a couple of hours in the gazebo.

The next official Board meeting would be Saturday 13th August 2022 at the Chester Deva Stadium at 10.30am

A toast to our volunteers

Posted by Charlotte Walker on

City Fans United would like to recognise our team of volunteers who are working hard to keep the Chester FC first team squad fuelled up this season.

Pam Hipkiss, Kath Larkin, Richard Price, and Julie Deacon ensure the players and staff are provided with lunch following every training session, under the guidance of kit man Jimmy Soul.

As well as helping the players refuel after being put through their paces on the training pitch, it is also a chance for the squad to spend time together socialising.

The volunteers work together to purchase the ingredients, prepare and serve the lunches and keep the kitchen and community room at King George V Sports Hub clean and tidy.

Their tasty menu features endless options, so long as the players’ orders include one of beans, cheese or spaghetti on brown or white toast.

Ian Swettenham Joins CFU Board

Posted by Charlotte Walker on

City Fans United is delighted to announce that Ian Swettenham has been appointed as a Director.

Ian, who is well known to Chester FC fans for his long-standing support of the football club, joins the Board having been co-opted this week.

Swettenham Chemists, which Ian and his wife Dawn have run for more than 30 years, play an active role in their communities and have sponsored the Blues for a decade.

Their support includes sponsorship of the Swettenham Chemists’ Community Stand at the Deva Stadium and the club’s Academy, where they have been crucial to the achievements of our youth section, which has now seen 19 players graduate to the first team since the reformation.

Ian is also a chartered accountant and his skills, experience and success further strengthens the Board as we seek to continue progressing on and off the pitch.

Welcome aboard, Ian!