CHESTER City FC owner Stephen Vaughan was due to appear in court today charged with fraud and theft.
Vaughan, 46, who resigned as chairman and director of the club on December 8, faces five allegations of obtaining services by deception and one of theft at Liverpool Crown Court.
He was arrested on September 10 last year under the Fraud Act for charges dating back to 2005.
It is alleged he obtained finance agreements and insurance on two cars by deception.
The theft charge also relates to the vehicles.
After choosing to be tried at Crown Court, he is expected to enter a plea this afternoon.
Vaughan, whose sons Stephen and James have both played for Chester City, took over the club with his company Vaughan Promotions Limited in 2001 and helped oversee the club’s return to the Football League in 2004.
Still majority shareholder at the club, the father-of-four, shocked fans by quitting as chairman and director last month, fuelling fears he was ready to walk away from the Deva Stadium. He was also known to be considering three separate takeover offers.
On January 3, Vaughan issued a statement saying he had no intention of selling up and that the club remained in safe hands.
He said: “My heart is still with Chester City and I will continue to finance the club and give it commitment, but I have never said that I want to sell Chester City Football Club and this is still the case.”
Managing director at Chester City Bob Gray said yesterday: “Chester City Football Club categorically have no comment to make about what Stephen Vaughan is doing tomorrow.”
Stephen Vaughan was unavailable for comment.
Vaughan had a spell owning Rugby League side Widnes Vikings before walking out as chairman in April 2007.
