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For further press and publicity information please contact:- Tom Jones via clicking his name. |
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31 May 2006 | 15 Jun 2006 |03 Oct 2006 |23 Oct 2006 | 01 Feb 2007 |12 Mar 2007 |15 May 2007 |01 Jun 2007 |22 Nov 2007|10 Dec 2007|14 Dec 2007|14 Dec 2007|14 Aug 2009 |
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Blues fans in vow to unite |
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CHESTER City’s fragmented fans’ groups are on the verge of joining forces. At a meeting billed as ‘Chester Fans United’ last night, leaders of the four supporters groups – the Supporters Trust, the Independent Supporters Association, the Official Supporters and the Exiles – admitted they had no contingency plan in place to maintain the club’s name had they not been granted membership by the FA. They plan to join together and will start a ‘war chest’ which can be used if the club ever finds itself in a similar crisis again. Supporters Trust chairman Tom Jones said: “We were three hours from extinction and we, the fans, the true owners of the club, had nothing in place to ensure the future of this club.” But soon fans could be able to exert greater influence after the four groups revealed that they are in advanced talks to merge into Chester Fans United – one group with one voice. The Exiles, which is for fans based away from Chester, will support the new organisation without becoming members at the outset. CFU could be up and running by October and the news was greeted by a huge round of applause by more than 150 fans gathered in the Deva Showbar in Station Road. Pete Mitchell, chairman of the ISA, said: “When this situation arose we had no money, either to buy the club or to set up a new one. “As one group we can fundraise, get a fighting fund together and then decide what to do with that as one group, whether it is buying the club or investing in it or something else. That will be up to the fans.” Last night’s meeting was chaired by broadcaster and City fan Charles Lambert, and attended by former Blues keeper Grenville Millington and goal-scoring legend Gary Talbot. “I just want to say, you once came here to support me,” said Talbot. “Now I want to support you.” Those at the meeting were also promised the opportunity to stand for election in the new group, with the assurance the current leadership would not simply remain in place at the head of CFU. One fan, Paul Reid, immediately made it clear what he felt the new fans group should aim for. “We’ve read that Stephen Vaughan’s selling price for the club is £4million,” he said. “Well, instead of saying we’ll never reach that, make that our target. “Tell people that is what we are trying to do and let’s start doing it. Let’s focus on what we can do, not what we can’t.” But fans were also offered a warning by former Blues board member and one-time chairman of AFC Bournemouth Paul Baker, who is a lifelong Chester supporter. “Buying a football club is the smallest cost involved,” he said. “The overheads are astronomical so you have to make sure you are ready for it.” |
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| • | Trust throw weight behind Baker bid |
Having already heard the
outline plans Paul Baker would implement should he have success in his
endeavour to buy out Stephen Vaughan, the Supporters' Trust endorse his bid. |
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| • | Trust confirm Baker contact |
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Chester City Supporters'
Trust Board wish to confirm that Mr. Paul Baker of UK Sameday has approached
the Supporters' Trust to request that lines of communication be opened
between himself and the Trust in connection with a possible buy out of
Stephen Vaughan's shareholding of Chester City Football Club Limited. 14
December 2007 |
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| • | Trust reaction to Vaughan resignation |
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Chester City Supporters’ Trust have today released the following short statement as a reaction to the news that Stephen Vaughan has stood down as a director and chairman of Chester City Football Club Limited. A spokesperson for the board of the Chester City Supporters’ Trust said “We are bitterly disappointed to hear that Mr. Vaughan has stepped down and we hope that this doesn’t mean that the club will move backwards in its current position on or off the park”. “We sincerely hope that the movers and shakers within the Chester City FC community make the right decisions with the best interests of the club foremost in their mind in the weeks that lie ahead”. “As ever we will monitor the situation at The Deva
Stadium and comment further if necessary”. |
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| • | Traffic Issues on Bumpers Lane |
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Chester City Supporters’ Trust have today (22 November 2007) written to the County Council concerning the traffic management situation on Chester City match days. The Trust feel that slow flowing traffic leaving Bumpers Lane on match days may be a contributory factor that keeps people at home as they choose to opt out of sitting in the long queues. They have requested the County Council look into the issue. Trust spokesperson Kevin Jones said “We want the County’s highways people to have a look at the situation to see if any improvements can be made”. “Perhaps a simple re-phasing of the lights at the Bumpers Lane/Sealand Road junction could alleviate the problem”. 22 November 2007 |
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| • | Race Night & AGM |
Chester City Supporters’ Trust is pleased to announce their latest fundraising event namely a Race Night. On Wednesday 13th June 2007 an evening of ‘fun with a flutter’ will be held at The Oaklands,
Hoole Road. Proceeds will go to the Trust and its nominated charities. Organiser Graham Page said “There isn’t a cost to come along, but if you intend to have a bet then you need to bring along some pennies or perhaps even pounds!, we hope that this will be a great night for all City supporters to enjoy” “Also arranged is a curry or chilli supper but people should pre-book this by calling me on 01244
382430 or Kevin Wilding on 07980 868177, tickets for the supper cost just a fiver” continued
Graham. Meanwhile, The Trust held it’s 2006/7 Annual General Meeting at the Bull & Stirrup on Thursday (31st May). We were pleased to have Pat Hendrie from the Chester City’s Community Scheme as a speaker. But the main event was the announcement that one of Chester’s most memorable and
respected players was to become Trust President. Trust spokesperson Kevin Jones said “Grenville Millington needs no introduction for those of us
old enough to remember him between the sticks and even the younger supporters’ recognise
him as the true great that he was for Chester” “We’re very pleased that Grenville has agreed to take on this honorary role for us and we look
forward to working with him” continued Kevin. Grenville was present at the AGM and he spoke of his joy at being approached and endorsed
the activities, aims and objectives of Chester City Supporters’ Trust. |
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| • | Supporters Group back new Chester City Manager |
Chester City Supporters' Trust is eager for the new season to get under way and that's only two weeks after the last one finished! Trust Board spokesperson Kevin Jones said "The appointment of Bobby Williamson signals a new era for the football club and is a breath of fresh air for the support". "We congratulate Stephen Vaughan on his choice and are really keen on Bobby Williamson's views on Youth Development" Trust Chair Paul Reid said "What we urge now is for supporters to get behind the club next term and seriously consider purchasing an excellent value season ticket". For further information on Chester City Supporters Trust visit our
website at www.supportchester.co.uk |
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| • | Further Trust response to planned name change |
The Trust has gauged the reaction of City fans to the news of a planned name change at the Football Club. It has found opinion to be very sceptical and whilst we remain opposed to the plan; we can perhaps see the vein in which the Chairman made his comments. The restrictive nature of the Deva Stadium lease is not conducive to expanding revenue streams and it will be a skilled negotiator who brokers a re-negotiation of the whole matter to the mutual benefit of the Football Club, City Council and the guarantor AWG Shelf 11. Whilst acknowledging and sharing the concerns of some of the fanbase, what we urge is
positive, level headed and rational dialogue, we ask that the other supporters groups join
us and help drive the club forward where we can, we don’t advocate knee jerk reactions
from anyone. |
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Trust response to planned name change |
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Chester City Supporters' Trust are very concerned with the suggestion that the name of the football club be changed. The Trust Board cannot see what possible strategic objective such a change will achieve given Mr. Vaughan's re-iteration that he has no intention of taking league football from this City.
To this end, the
Supporters' Trust object to this plan and urge Mr. Vaughan to re-consider it
as in our opinion, its execution would gain nothing except alienation of
Chester City's support. |
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| • | Trust Membership up by 43% |
Chester City Supporters' Trust are pleased to report a pleasing 43% increase in membership since the same time last year. Trust Press Officer Kev Jones explained "This time last year we were struggling, we had poor systems in place and little activity going on, this was compounded by general supporter apathy and our membership numbers began to dwindle towards double figures". "Since then we have virtually re-launched, had new blood on our board who crave success, we've had a number of activities taking place and this appears to have paid off as our membership numbers have grown considerably". Kev continued "Complacency is not on the agenda however, we have more plans for this year and we hope to recruit more members and activists during the coming months, at only a fiver per year to join it's a worthwhile investment!".
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| • | Bring a mate - Double the Gate |
Chester City Supporters' Trust have produced 2000 'Bring a mate - Double the Gate' flyers which will be distributed to fans at Chester City's next home game against Stockport County on Halloween in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Ironically, the game the flyers promote are for another encounter with Stockport County who Chester City meet in Coca Cola League Two on November 17th. There is no incentive, the aim of the flyers is to encourage the clubs existing fan base to recruit a new fan for the game on the 17th November and thus doubling the gate by bringing a mate and will be distributed on the turnstiles. Trust board spokesman Kevin Jones said "The club are trying a number of initiatives to increase the following at Chester City, the Supporters Trust wish to support these initiatives and where possible assist in their promotion". |
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| • | Cash in for the Trust |
Chester City Supporters' Trust have announced the first in a number of activities aimed at raising its profile and raising much needed funds to help support it's aims and objectives Chester City Supporters Trust have been in contact with Coin Company International, a company that specialize in exchanging currency with charities, banks and other organizations & businesses that find themselves with old foreign and UK currency (notes & coins) then turning them into hard cash. All main foreign currencies will be accepted, including pre Euro-zone currency (except Portuguese coins). They will also accept old (decimal) £sterling for example the old 5, 10 & 50 pence pieces and old £1, £5, £10 & £20 notes that can't be exchanged at the banks. So, if your were wondering what to do with those residual coins and notes from your summer holidays or business trip - wonder no more - put them to good use by donating them to Chester City Supporters Trust's Currency Exchange Scheme. All currency can be donated in any of the following ways: Post it to Chester City Supporters Trust, PO Box 3170, Chester, CH4 8WP or you can place it in buckets located at:
We are trying to organise more venues. Chester City Supporters Trust was founded 5 years ago and maintains a close relationship with the club whilst remaining independent. The Trust has a shareholding in Chester City FC. Our purpose is to promote and protect the game in the City. It currently has 110 members. The Supporters' Trust is one of many across the UK, some Trusts have gone on to own their respective clubs. |
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| • | All Change at the Trust |
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Chester City Supporters Trust is pleased to announce that Paul Reid has been appointed as Chairman of the Supporters Trust after the recent AGM. Paul who works as a buyer for the CO-OP group lives in Bromborough and is a keen Blues Supporter, he aims to drive change within the Supporters Trust to position it to be stronger, more identifiable with the fan base and to grow its membership. Paul has already been hard at work and has prepared an ambitious business plan. An integral part of the plan is a number of projects that will see the Trust offer help to the Football Club with a particular desire to make Chester City a truly community focussed club.
In other moves, Adrian Williamson has taken over as Trust
Secretary and Lee Walton remains as the Treasurer. Meanwhile, Kevin Jones has
now become Trust Press Officer. |
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| • | Supporters Trust Annual General Meeting |
The annual Supporters Trust AGM was held on the 31 May 2006 at the United Services Club, Chester. A full resume of the meeting including the chairman's statement can be found here. |
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© 2006
Chester City Supporters Trust |
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