Source: FOOTYMAD
Situation Vacant - Manager
Chester FC are on the hunt for a team manager following the news that they have been given the lease to the Deva Stadium. Within hours of being given the good news, the Blues supporters group had submitted its application to the FA and unveiled the man charged with running off-the-field affairs at the fan-owned phoenix club – Bank of America’s Steve Ashton. Now attention has switched to on-the-field matters with the search for a boss capable of winning promotion in his first season in charge. CFU press officer Jeff Banks: “This is a chance for someone to really grab hold of the club and take it forward. “But it’s got to be the right person, in terms of their character, their previous record and their experience of the leagues we will be playing in. “Considering Chester were a Football League club only two years ago, we are going to be a high-profile name in non-league circles. “We’re a vibrant city with passionate supporters and that’s why we want to win promotion in the first season and go as far as we can in the shortest space of time. “Everybody wants to see Chester back in the Football League, but let’s see how long it takes us to get back into the Conference. “I imagine the candidates will be pretty good, and in their hundreds, as they all know they could be the manager that leads Chester back to the good times. “We have already received interest in the position, and we’re welcoming further applications, with the strongest applicant being appointed. “We’ve been offered assistance by a fellow club that has been through this process already, so they will be able to help, while I’m sure our CEO will call on his various contacts to help.” Cheshire West and Chester Council yesterdayannounced that it was CFU and not Danish consortium Fodbold Selskabet that has been granted the lease on the Deva. CFU, which has more than 1,600 members, immediately informed the FA of the decision and now must wait to see what league the footballing authorities place the club in. As a reformed club, rising from the ashes of Chester City FC, Chester FC could be playing in a competition as high as the Evo-Stik Premier League – previously the UniBond Premier. But there is a strong chance it could start a division down, in either the Evo-Stik First Division South, alongside the likes of Witton Albion and Cammell Laird, or the North, alongside the likes of Lancaster City and Warrington Town. Banks said: “We’re really pleased that we’ve got the approval from the council, not least because 20 years after losing Sealand Road we have now gained the Deva Stadium. “Now we have to pass the FA’s ‘fit and proper person test’, and that started by submitting our final application yesterday, which includes where we’re going to play. “Once that’s sorted we’ll be officially looking for approval into the Evo-Stik League. Our aspirations are to start as high as possible but I think most Chester fans will still be pleased if we end up in the First Division as I’m sure they are desperate just to see the club back in action.” CFU officials are hopeful of hosting a glamorous pre-season friendly with at least one Premier League club at the Deva. Chester FC’s badge and kit is expected to be unveiled in the next fortnight. Managers interested in becoming boss of Chester Football Club can email media@cityfansunited.com
