THE ball is now rolling as City Fans United move to formally set up a phoenix club following the winding up of Chester City yesterday.

But this is where the real hard work begins as the fans group has to convince the council to let them use the Deva Stadium, the FA to grant them a licence and the National League System to allow them into the pyramid.

CFU media officer Jeff Banks said the rules may be complex, but the fans are determined to succeed.

“We have met the council with a strong business plan,” he said. “We submitted notice of intent to the FA to reform the club straight after the verdict came in on Wednesday. The FA were really helpful.

“We’re working with Supporters Direct to speak to the people we need to to get into the pyramid, not the Welsh pyramid.

“We understand the council want to begin the eviction process and we want to move into the Deva Stadium as soon as possible to begin planning for the season ahead.”

CFU have big plans. They aim to create a club that is self sufficient and can be successful on the pitch but that is also a hub of the community that gives something back to the city of Chester.

Without a major backer – CFU plans to operate a 100% fan-owned club – they need money. One of the cornerstones of their financial plan is the loan notes they are issuing.

Loan notes are issued in multiples of £100 and can be paid for in instalments, with the note issued when you hit £100.

You can purchase as many as you like but the shares they buy will be held collectively, with no note holder having more votes or influence than any other.

Note holders will be consulted for a vote on how their money is spent. CFU is keen to promote this scheme to boost their coffers and allow them to begin making plans for the 2010/11 season.

“The loan notes thing is a big part of our financial plan,” said Banks. “It will give us the cash to start doing the really big things we need to sort out.

“As soon as we get the OK from the council for the Deva then we can start looking at all the different things we would need, a manager, players, the infrastructure and set-up.

“Those things have had to be in the background because the old club still existed.

“No-one wanted to see this happen but we have been working hard to make sure that we are ready for it and we are prepared.”

CFU has a 1,000-strong membership and is growing all the time. But they need to turn that into financial contributions in order to get their plans off the ground.

“In the late 90s when the ISA did a similar thing to raise money, they ended up with £140,000,” said Banks.

“That is a dreamworld for us but it shows it can be done. We need people now to get involved with us and to purchase loan notes so we can get things moving.”

Details of how to purchase loan notes can be found at:

www.cityfansunited.com