CHESTER City chairman Stephen Vaughan can expect a fierce backlash from fans if he presses ahead with plans to change the club's name to Chester-Halton.

Vaughan yesterday revealed he had made 'an enquiry' to the FA about the possibility of changing City's name, although he refused to say what exactly the new name would be.

However, an FA spokesman yesterday confirmed that a request had been made by Chester to change their name to Chester-Halton, adding: 'We have written to the Football League and Cheshire FA for their views on this. We have also asked for an explanation from the club.'

News of the request has been met with alarm from City supporters, who fear it could be used to pave the way for a possible relocation to Widnes - where Vaughan is chairman of rugby league side, Widnes Vikings.

Charlie Lambert, spokesman for Chester City Independent Supporters' Association, said: 'Any move to change the well-established name of Chester City FC will be met with profound scepticism. If it is true that the board wants the club to become Chester-Halton, then we would oppose that all the way. It could be the thin end of a very dangerous wedge.'

Kevin Jones, of the Chester City Supporters' Trust, added: 'We are very concerned with the suggestion that the name of the football club be changed.

'The Trust board cannot see what possible strategic objective such a change will achieve given Mr Vaughan's reiteration that he has no intention of taking league football from this city.

'To this end, the Supporters' Trust object to this plan and urge Mr Vaughan to reconsider it as, in our opinion, its execution would gain nothing except alienation of Chester City's support.'

Vaughan says his desire to drop the word 'City' from the club's name is a response to a perceived lack of support from the city council. By adding 'Halton', the club hopes to draw on support from a wider area.

But the Chester chairman insists he no longer has a desire to ground-share with Widnes Vikings at the Halton Stadium. He first suggested the move in 2005 when he became chairman of the rugby league club, only to be met with criticism from City fans.

He said: 'One thing's for sure - if there will be any movement of stadiums, then

it will be Widnes coming this way. We've got a 14,000 arena there but we can't get 3,000 in it. This is what people don't realise.

'If there's any movement in the near future, it will be with the two of them both moving into a stadium that we own.

'There's no sense in moving from one rent arrangement to another.'

Chester pay rent to the city council on the Saunders Honda Stadium but they have been frustrated in their efforts to renegotiate the terms of the lease.

Chester City Council, however, has hit back at claims it does not do enough to support the club.

John Price, deputy leader of the council, said: 'We have always been supportive of the club. We would be extremely disappointed if they removed Chester's city status from their name, and it is probably something we would resist.'

Chester's proposed name change will be discussed at the club's AGM on Thursday, March 29.