Council gives Chester football stadium to fans

Cheshire West and Chester Council have decided to offer a five year lease on Chester City Football Club’s Deva Stadium to Chester Fans United, a supporters group who pledge to maintain league football in the city.

The decision was made after detailed consideration of the business cases presented by CFU and Danish Consortium, Fodbold Selskabet.

Both bidders presented their business case to a special panel led by chief executive Steve Robinson and including independent business men and a advisor with experience of the establishment of a Phoenix Club.

Later both groups were questioned by panel members and asked to clarify issues raised during the presentation.

Chief Executive Steve Robinson issued the following statement: "The Panel was impressed with the professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment shown by both groups. Consequently, reaching a final decision has not been easy.

"Strengths and weaknesses in both cases have been carefully assessed and balanced in the knowledge that time-scales governing this process are acutely short, if Chester is to have league football next season.

"The Danish Consortium combined an obvious passion for English football with some very innovative ideas and financial support, both immediate and potential.

"We are extremely grateful for their very keen interest and the considerable time taken to formulate the bid and travel to the UK to present their case.

"However, it was the Panel's unanimous view that Chester Fans United, were further advanced in terms of required management structure and overall ability to enter a team into whichever league is determined by the FA.

"Without doubt, their pride in club and city is unrivalled, as indeed, would be the support for their proposal from the people of Chester and its surrounding area.

"It was these factors, combined with the very strong community engagement element in their case which persuaded the panel to assign the lease of Deva Stadium for five years to the CFU Board.

"CFU have promised a club 'run by the community for the community' with a multi-sport approach designed to reach all sections of our society from the young to the disadvantaged.

"On that basis this authority will do everything it can to help, support and advise the new club and we urge the Chester public and businesses to do so as well.

"Whilst the Danish Consortium is bound to be disappointed with the outcome, their enthusiasm to be involved with Chester FC, could perhaps still be channelled into working with and providing support to CFU."