The board of City Fans United (CFU) have announced plans to appoint a chief executive officer (CEO) following a review of off-field staffing structures at Chester FC .

The club have also confirmed commercial manager Tracey Smith will be leaving her post on March 31 as the CEO will assume responsibility for commercial activities making the role of commercial manager redundant.

“The board would wish to place on record its thanks to Tracey for the contribution she made during her time with us and for the energy and enthusiasm she brought to the club,” read a statement from the board.

Chester previously employed a chief executive between 2011 and 2013 after Pat Cluskey was promoted from the general manager role he had filled since the fan-owned club was reborn in 2010.

However, Mr Cluskey left in April 2013 when his role was made redundant and Mrs Smith was appointed operations manager in June 2014.

She moved to the position of commercial manager last August when ex-Chester City secretary Tony Allan returned as general manager.

Announcing the decision to bring back the CEO role, the board of directors said an open recruitment process would begin shortly.

“This will be a very senior role within the club, with the CEO having direct responsibility and oversight of all the club’s day-to-day activities, as well as developing and implementing a strategic business plan to grow both our income and fan-base and to take the club forward in new and sustainable ways,” read a statement.