Football

CITY Fans United officials have reaffirmed their belief that their bid to restore senior football to Chester is the strongest.

The Blues Supporters’ Trust group, which has more than 1,500 members, will go head-to-head with Danish consortium Fodbold Selskabet next Thursday (April 29) for the lease at the Deva Stadium.

Cheshire West and Chester Council, as owners of the Bumpers Lane ground left vacant following the demise of Chester City FC, will consider the proposals of both parties before handing the keys to the Deva over to the successful applicant by as early as next weekend.

CFU press officer Jeff Banks is adamant his group’s plans for a fan-owned, reformed ‘Chester Football Club’ will win through.

Banks said: “CFU maintain the upmost confidence in our detailed proposal and we believe that our vision for a fully community integrated club will ensure that ‘Chester Football Club’ is something the whole city can be proud of.

“CFU has continued to be transparent with its members and more importantly the community of Chester. It is our belief that we have the complete backing of both our membership and the wider community.

“We also have the support of local and national businesses of all sizes and developed an excellent relationship with the football authorities. In addition, our plans for the creation of the ‘Seals Foundation’ underline our aim to develop a football club that serves not only the local football community but also the entire city.

“Our bid has also received overwhelming support from the Chester Former Player Association, which includes many famous names from Chester’s footballing past.

“We trust the council to make the right decision for the future of football in Chester and assign the lease to the Deva Stadium to CFU.”

A delegation from Fodbold Selskabet will arrive in Chester next week to reveal more about their bid before the meeting with the council next Thursday.

The council will be represented at the meeting by council leader Mike Jones, chief executive Steve Robinson and Cllr Richard Short, executive member for culture.

They will be joined on a panel by two independent senior local businessmen and an advisor with experience of establishing a ‘phoenix club’.