Source: FOOTYMAD
Chairman Hoping for Happy Hearing Outcome
Chris Pilsbury remains hopeful that Chester can kick-off the new campaign in the EvoStik (formerly Unibond) League. The Chester FC chairman travelled to the FA headquarters at Wembley Stadium with Blues’ chief executive officer Steve Ashton and solicitor Steve Harvey this week in a bid to strengthen Chester’s appeal against the FA’s recommendation to place the club in step five of the non league pyramid.The three representatives held talks with FA officials which lasted for two and a quarter hours, but travelled home without hearing a decision to the appeal.Pilsbury said: “Every Chester fan and club official believes that the FA were wrong in recommending that the club start the season in step five of the non league structure.“Steve Ashton, Steve Harvey and I were determined to make our appeal heard and we all travelled to Wembley to present our case.“We were in talks for two and a quarter hours with FA officials. They listened to what we had to say and thanked us before promising to tell us their decision by tomorrow or Friday.“We had obviously hoped we would hear the outcome of our appeal during our visit to Wembley because time is very tight as we prepare for the new season.“But it turns out that we have to remain patient for a few more days before discovering where we will start our campaign.”Pilsbury, who has been delighted by the support and backing received for Chester FC following the demise of Chester City last term, now hopes the club can build on the enthusiasm.He added: “We remain confident that we can win our appeal because we wouldn’t have travelled to Wembley without having that belief.“We are a little disappointed that a decision hasn’t yet been heard as we are facing a logistical problem because of the timescale we face.“The sale of season tickets has had to remain on hold because of the uncertainty about which league we are likely to play in, but financially there is no problem for the club.”Pilsbury and Chester’s other club officials are now aiming to hear the outcome of the Blues appeal ahead of the Vodkat North West Counties League and EvoStik League AGM's on SaturdayPilsbury added: “I suppose it’s fortunate that both the North West Counties League and EvoStik League AGM’s are being held at Blackpool this Saturday in the same building.”If the FA stand by their recommendation for Chester to start in the North West Counties League, the member clubs at the league’s AGM on Saturday will vote whether to approve an increase in the number of Premier Division sides for one season to 23 clubs and also approve the relegation of three clubs at the end of the 2010/11 season.
