Chester FC News

Sadly for Chester fans, most of Chester FC news last season was bad news. Both on the pitch and off the pitch. Always struggling for results during the season, Chester remained in and around the relegation zone for the majority, if not all, of the season. Ultimately, the season ended in relegation from the Vanarama National League to the Vanarama North.

For many fans however the writing was on the wall as long back as January when the club’s financial difficulties were announced. To a great extent, this announcement severely hindered Marcus Bignot’s chances of avoiding relegation. Some may say it made it impossible. As a result he had to massively reduce the wage bill. Already up against it anyway, the exodus of experienced players saw an added gloom descend onto the club.

Moving forward however to soon after the season ended to May, the landscape suddenly changed. Finally, there was some good Chester FC news to report.

Chester FC News

Chester FC News – David-Harrington-Wright-and-Stuart-Murphy (photo credits to Chester Chronicle and Terry Marland)

Step forward Stuart Murphy a local Chester businessman. Is Mr Murphy a Chester FC fan as well, I don’t know? Not that it’s hugely significant but if he is then even better. In case you didn’t know, Stuart Murphy has entered into a Donation Agreement with the 100% owned City Fans United club. The amount of the donation is a very generous £1m by the way.

Rather than me covering the full details of the deal here, you can read all about it in this Chester Chronicle article….read more HERE.

If he is a fan then it will be so good for the club to have someone involved who will hopefully have the best interests of the club at heart as well as his own. For too long Chester FC have arguably been in the wrong hands. Now although Mr Murphy’s donation will not change the ownership status of the club, the significance of the influence this money and his involvement will have cannot be understated.

As the owner of Chester based Business Rates Audit company, Exacta, Mr Murphy is already a successful businessman. So, as well as a substantial financial donation, Mr Murphy brings with him a wealth of business acumen.

This in itself could well be a priceless commodity that may not necessarily be expressed in monetary terms. Although Mr Murphy will not be able to take on a “hands-on” role due to him living much of the year in Majorca (lucky so and so!!), his ideas and influence will no doubt be instilled in the people he wishes to closely work with.

What Does This All Mean?

There is no doubt that this latest Chester FC news bulletin is great news for the club. So, a huge thanks to Mr Murphy for stepping forward at a very difficult time for Chester FC. Also, a huge congratulations to those involved at City Fans United in negotiating this deal.

In short, the deal is for £1m to be donated over 3 years. Unfortunately for clubs like Chester, there is very little, if any, TV money to prop up revenue shortfalls from the turnstiles. Also, lucrative sponsorship deals are not necessarily in abundance down in the lower leagues. So, like so many clubs, Chester FC have to think outside the box in many respects to identify and implement alternative revenue streams.

Significantly, the majority of the donation from Mr Murphy is to be allocated to infrastructure improvements for the club.

What are these infrastructure improvements then? No specific details have been provided at this stage. But it has been suggested that the commercial side of the business needs expanding. Whether you are a Chester FC fan or not, this is glaringly obvious.

Raising The Club’s Profile

I did write in a previous post that not only visitors to our city, but actually people who live in the city could be forgiven for not knowing the city had a football club. Walk through the city centre and you don’t see any Chester FC presence at all (I stand to be corrected but I’ve not seen anything).

I believe the club used to have it’s own club shop in town. This has now gone. Even if a club shop is not on the agenda there are other ways to raise the club’s profile. Does the club run a lottery or scratch card ticket scheme? I don’t know. If they do, I haven’t seen any on sale anywhere. Why not sell these tickets in prominent places like bars and shops?

I don’t recall seeing any posters anywhere of upcoming fixtures. Chester play Liverpool in a friendly soon……..

****BY THE WAY IT’S ON 7th JULY AT THE SWANSWAY STADIUM, 3pm KICK OFF*****

Ticket details here….Chester v Liverpool Ticket News

Where can you buy any Chester FC memorabilia or clothing in the city centre?

Billboards

I live in Hoole and when you step onto Hoole Bridge there are two huge advertising billboards on the side of the road. One there at the moment (or last time I walked past) is a huge notice for the next Chester Races meeting. You can’t miss it!!

Will there be one advertising the game against Liverpool? No idea. Maybe there won’t be if it’s sold out. But is it a sell-out?

Was there a “Welcome To Chester” type poster anywhere for new managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley? Catchy little posters here and there displaying the club’s details (phone number; website; next match etc…etc) may be an option.

Where’s the stadium in relation to the city centre? Is there an arrow or sign anywhere in the city centre pointing to the direction of the stadium? I haven’t seen any. Maybe I’ve missed them.

Online

The club has a website. Does the club have, say, a YouTube channel? Probably so, but does it advertise upcoming events and match details?

Do the club utilise local websites (like mine for instance) to promote upcoming events and matches?

Use Of The Stadium

Could the stadium be used for other events? I’m sure this has been looked into. Clearly some sort of liaison with the local authority would be required. There would be an abundance of opportunities that could open up if this were allowed.

If it is a council restriction, can the two parties get together to find ways in which obstacles can be addressed?

If the stadium itself could not be used, could the adjacent car park? Car boot sales? Flea markets? Again, there would probably be oodles of opportunities.

I can think of one potentially glaringly obvious use right off the top of my head. Not being a race goer or a Fun Fair goer, I’ve never understood the May race meeting and the Fair being held in the same week across the road from each other.

Could the Fair be moved to outside the football ground?

Strong Youth Academy

On a positive note on the playing side. Well, it’s not only the playing side. A good strong academy is important for all clubs to prosper. It is a vital part of a club’s infrastructure. Luckily for Chester they seem to have a good few youngsters coming through the ranks. No doubt some of the donation will be invested in trying to further develop the successes of the Academy.

Only Possible Suggestions

The above is not exhaustive. And it may be that all of these have been considered. I’m not saying they’re necessarily right or even part of the answer. These are just some observations off the top of my head. Also, it is worth pointing out that none of my comments are meant to be a criticism in any way. New season, new people at the helm, new players. Onwards and upwards and all that.

Anyway, as far as Chester FC news goes, the announcement of Stuart Murphy’s donation is brilliant news. As is the appointment of the successful joint management team of Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley.

Hopefully, subsequent Chester FC news bulletins continue to be positive. I know many Chester FC fans and fair do’s to all of them, they do stand by their team. With the new, positive vibe circling the club, these fans will no doubt be hoping for better days ahead. They certainly deserve happier times.

Let’s hope exciting and more successful times are just around the corner.

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