THE lifelong Blues fan charged with running Chester FC is urging businesses to throw their financial weight behind the resurrected club.

City Fans United has been awarded the Deva Stadium lease and The Chronicle can exclusively reveal who has been appointed as chief executive officer of the supporters’ group’s phoenix club.

Steve Ashton, head of sports partnerships at Bank of America, will carry out the role on an interim basis free of charge at the cost of the Chester-based banking giants.

The former season-ticket holder will be responsible for ensuring the fan-owned club hit the ground running.

And Mr Ashton, 39, believes the support of companies both local and national will help him do just that.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be taking this role as it allows me to put my skills into my football club,” said Mr Ashton, whose position at Bank of America means he has close relationships with a host of Premier League clubs including Liverpool FC.

“A key to my role will be harnessing the business community and working in partnership with the business community to realise the potential of the club.

“Business community involvement is critical to the success of the club and that is why I would urge anyone with an interest to get in touch right away.”

Mr Ashton, of Westminster Park, became hooked on the Blues after his father Derek took him to his first match in 1977.

The Chester-born married father-of-two was present for the club’s final match at Sealand Road – 20 years ago last Wednesday – and was a season-ticket holder at the Deva alongside his parents for 17 years until two seasons ago.

Mr Ashton, a former Queen’s Park High School student, said: “Many of our employees are Chester fans, such as myself, and as part of our commitment to the city as the area’s largest employer, we just had to get involved.”

Bank of America – formerly known as MBNA – will fund Mr Ashton’s role until January 2011, when a new CEO will be appointed.

John Greaves, Bank of America’s communications executive, said: “Steve brings a great level of experience from leading our sports team and working with world-famous sports organisations in the UK. We also believe that the experience Steve will gain in his role at Chester FC will prove valuable to him and our organisation when he comes back to us in six months time.

“This is our way of giving a helping hand to CFU and plans for the future of football in the city.”