FOOTBALLERS have celebrated the beginning of their new club at a special reception with top city officials.
The Lord Mayor of Chester Cllr Neil Ritchie and several other city managers attended the event at the Town Hall in celebration of Chester Football Club.
Other officials present included chairman of the board Chris Pilsbury and Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) leader Cllr Mike Jones.
Cllr Ritchie said: “I very much wanted to celebrate Chester FC’s fantastic new beginning, founded on the hard work and enthusiasm of the fans and supporters across the city.
“In a very short space of time they have appointed a board, found business and professional supporters including main financial sponsor MBNA and now have manager Neil Young, staff and a full squad of players in place ready to play a full season of fixtures in the Evo-Stik League Division One North.
“I want to wish them all the very best for the coming season which begins on August 24.”
Mr Pilsbury added: “The Lord Mayor’s reception brought home to me the almost unimaginable progress the supporters of Chester FC have made in the last four months.
“In the week in which we hosted a football match against our local rivals and friends, Tranmere Rovers, we were welcomed to the Town Hall, not only by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, but by all those councillors and officials who have provided such enthusiasm support and help towards the rebuilding and reforming of the football club.”
And Cllr Jones said: “The council has done all that it can to help the rebirth of Chester FC which we hope will become a true community club and we wish them every success in the forthcoming season.”
Recently the board was granted the lease of the Deva Stadium from landlords the local authority.