At this moment in time the club are in dire straits, are in administration and are looking for an entrance into the Conference.

The Supporters Trust, as a creditor and shareholder, obviously has a great interest into what happens at the football club.

The Trust has been asked to attend a meeting with Stephen Vaughan, together with a member of each of the other supporters groups. At this moment in time, we don't know when that meeting is but we intend to attend and hear what Stephen Vaughan has to say. Based on what he says, we will decide which way forward we will go.

We believe that David Jones has now withdrawn his bid for the football club and we do also comment that David Jones has always showed true sincerity in what he does and how he acts, but when asked the question regarding his plans for the football club and whether he had business plans in place, he took it as his integrity was being questioned. This was not the case at all.

We ask all fans, whether they be possible sponsors, previous sponsors or single fans who have lost interest and sense of pride and passion in the football club, to possibly consider joining the Supporters Trust as a member and donating to the Supporters Trust's loan fund, details of which can be found at www.supportchester.co.uk

We wish the club well and any future owner of the club. We hope to have a close working relationship with them and we will monitor events on a daily basis and act accordingly under the constitution of the Chester City Supporters Trust.

Trust Press Officer Tom Jones told the press this week: "We urge for Mr Vaughan to tell us 'warts and all' what the future holds for the club we support.

"The Trust believes uncertainty surrounding the true situation at the club is seriously affecting the level of support, not only by absent fans but also the relatively few fans still attending home games."

In light of recent events, the Trust Board would like to take the opportunity to respond to a number of unfair and inaccurate comments which have been aimed at some members of the board of Chester City Supporters Trust (CCST).

The aim of all Supporters Trusts is to deliver responsible, democratic representation at football clubs to help promote the highest standards of governance, financial accountability and community re-orientation. The Trust is operated as an Industrial and Provident Society (IPS), owned by our members, and governed under regulation of the Financial Services Authority (FSA). As such, we are required to hold an Annual General Meeting (usually in May) and submit an annual return to the FSA.

All those who stand for election, and are appointed to the Board by the membership at the AGM, are unpaid volunteers who give up their own time, often at their own personal expense, in order to operate the Trust. Whilst some of the activity may not be as dynamic or responsive as some expect, there is not always the resource or support to influence this.

The Trust is most definitely not a "closed shop" and the board welcome any member involvement and offers of support. The Trust operates to the model rules established by Supporters Direct, with all decisions made by the board discussed and minuted at regular (usually monthly) meetings.

The CCST has always being supportive of positive initiatives from Chester City Football Club, and is fully supportive of any individual who can demonstrate actions which benefit the current and long term future of football in the City of Chester.

The Trust prefer not to discuss specific issues which are felt have no impact on the operation of the Trust, however, we feel recent events make this unavoidable.

At the recent fixture between Chester City FC and Bournemouth AFC, a member of the Board was invited to attend the game as a guest of Paul and Louise Baker. The offer was not extended to the Trust, but to the individual and wife, who all happen to be close personal friends. Indeed the invite was also extended to other Chester supporters unconnected to the Trust.

Also, at a recent fans meeting, a member of the Board who was asked to represent the Trust was verbally attacked for holding a view not shared by many of those at the meeting. Whilst the Trust do not uphold the personal stance taken by the elected member, the Trust accept this is a view shared by a number of fans and members.

At the same meeting, sensitive information relating to the assignment of a loan from a Trust member to CCST was discussed. The reason for this not being in the public domain before this time is due to the detail of the transaction yet to be agreed, However, the Trust has taken advice from Supporters Direct, and would like to assure all members that the assignment is in the best interest of both the Trust and Chester City Football Club.

It was generally felt that the meeting focussed on dismissing much of the good work carried out by the CCST as very little had resulted in the direct financial gain of Chester City Football Club. Instead of being a meeting to help improve the club, it was clear that for some individuals present, the meeting was more valuable as an opportunity to embark on some anti-Trust propaganda for their own objectives.

Far from being an in-active, negative clique as portrayed at the meeting, over the years the Trust has discussed numerous opportunities with the club where their status as an IPS could open up areas of funding otherwise unavailable to the club. On every occasion, the club has not taken up these offers. In addition, in 2007, the Trust approached all parties having an interest in the lease of the Deva Stadium to broker a renegotiation of the restrictive covenants. This would have opened up new revenue generating streams for the club by allowing additional uses of the stadium facilities. All parties showed willing to enter these discussions but once again the initiative was thwarted due to inaction by Chester City Football Club.

The unwillingness which the club has repeatedly shown to grasp these opportunities has caused much frustration in particular for those long-serving Trust board members who have witnessed many such situations during their time with the Trust.

To move forward, the Trust Board will be calling a Special General Meeting (SGM) in the New Year to put forward a number of changes to its constitution, and also to give the opportunity for members to raise any questions about the current direction of the board, and where appropriate raise questions of individual members actions. Notice will be issued formally, along with the next CCST newsletter to all current members early in 2009.

Whilst the Trust is seeking no plaudits it was felt only appropriate that some of the Trust successes be re-iterated:

- fundraising on behalf of the Centre of Excellence and chosen charities
- operating the Official Website for several years
- design and printing of club marketing literature
- programme contributions, including match reports
- kick-to-win competition
- fans united event, aimed at bringing the supporters groups together

Again, whilst the Board would liked to have done more, only so much can be achieved with the time and resources available given the general reluctance of the club to co-operate. However, we welcome both new and existing members to show more interest in the activities and governance of the Trust, or simply offer their support to Trust events.

The Trust hopes this statement will clarify some of the recent negative comments and reassure its members about the work that is done, and the ways in which it is carried out. The Board will always endeavour to act in a transparent and professional manner in conducting business in the name of the Chester City Supporters Trust on behalf of its members and fans of Chester City Football Club alike.
 

Chester City Supporters Trust has reluctantly accepted the resignations of two of its most valuable Board members.

Paul Reid, Trust Chair, was responsible for leading the Trust Board in a professional and diligent manner. The Board has decided that the vacant position should not be filled until it is sure that the right person becomes available.

Kevin Jones, in his position as Press Officer, will also be sorely missed for his large contribution towards maintaining the high profile of the Trust by accurate reporting of all Trust activities. His close relationships with the local media were built on professionalism and respect. His post has been filled on a temporary basis by Tom Jones, who can be contacted by email on press@supportchester.co.uk .

The Board wishes to thank both Paul and Kevin for their most valuable contributions whilst in office and would be pleased to consider any approach from them to re-join the Board at a later date should their respective circumstances permit.

The Trust are now in the process of seeking new board members and would ask any Trust member who believes they can make a contribution to get in touch.

Ambition is a driving force at any football club. Moving up the leagues and dreaming of being at the top of your game come second nature to footballers and managers, however, the route taken to get to the top undoubtedly is driven from the boardroom.

At Chester City, we have experienced many disappointments and it is fair to say that many fans have become immune to it all whilst still holding a candle for ambition and hope.

As a Supporters' Trust we encourage deliverable ambition and the best for the football club. We applaud the board for their ambitious plans for development of the Deva Stadium, providing a great facility for not only the club's supporters but also the greater Chester community.

It isn't surprising that earlier suggestions made by the Trust to milk the asset are now being pursued; perhaps our ideas were not as adventurous as those recently published, but we have long held the belief that development of a community-based facility is vital to a club like Chester City.

The club must now start to deliver - fans quite rightly see plans on a regular basis but then feel frustrated when the vision blurs in the passage of time.

There are still a few questions to be answered on this project, for example: How does this affect the tri-partite covenant with AVG-Shelf 11 and Chester City Council? Who will be the main financial beneficiary from any development?

We urge the club board to apply a degree of realism in this instance by planning only what can be delivered, and not creating problems for themselves (and the fans!) further down the line when over-exuberance turns into a financial nightmare. We would hope that the whole project is underwritten with a sound business plan which covers all bases and of course is costed to avoid situations like Rotherham's and Halifax's, where great ideas ended in half-finished "white elephants".

We hope that the club board think outside the box on what kind of businesses they wish to attract so that there is something for all quarters of the community.

The Trust believes that consideration be given to engaging with the fans on the project, and we would add that the supporters' groups may well be able to offer assistance and a different 'take' on things.

The result may not have been the best, but club former No.1, Grenville Millington was guest of honour at Chester City's recent Carling Cup First Round Tie against Leeds United.

Trust President Grenville (centre) is pictured here with Trust Board Member Tom Jones and a representative of GPS Decorators of Chester.

The Supporters' Trust and GPS Decorators Limited of Chester are pleased to reveal that they will be joint matchball sponsors at Chester City's first round Carling Cup game on Tuesday 12 August 2008 against Leeds United.

The event will be funded by GPS Decorators who in turn have asked the Trust to take part in this important game for City.

Main guest on the night will be Supporters' Trust President Grenville Millington (pictured left).

The event is bound to spark a trip down memory lane for Grenville, as he featured in the all conquering Seals squad that conquered the then League champions Leeds just under 34 years ago.

Chester ran out 3-0 winners on Wednesday 13th November 1974.

The Blues went on to reach the semi finals in the competition, but their route to Wembley was eventually blocked by Aston Villa.

Starting at 2pm, you can see stars from the small screen take each other on at Chester City.

The home team is made up of cast members from Chester based soap, Hollyoaks. The away team is made up of stars from Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Casualty, Shameless and The Bill.

The entry fee is just a fiver and tickets can be bought at the Northgate Arena, Chester Racecourse and Chester Tourist Information Centre or call 01244 304610.

However, the advent of real-time coverage via outlets such as Sky Sports News and BBC Score, has seen a progressive downturn in the number of people subscribed to DevaTXT. 

It has reached such a point, that the minimum payment threshold set by platform provider is not reached on regular basis. Therefore, the service is not viable any longer.