FANS are today laying out plans to ensure Chester City Football Club is resurrected from the dead.
Supporters group City Fans United (CFU) are determined to create a new phoenix club to rise from the ashes of Chester City FC 2004 Ltd.
The crisis-hit club was liquidated in the London High Court yesterday after HM Revenue and Customs was owed an unpaid £26,125 tax bill.
Now CFU have are calling on the people of Chester to help them to resurrect the club, starting with discussions with leaders of Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) about use of the Deva Stadium.
Pressure is now being heaped on councillors to ensure the new Chester City FC has a ground to play on.
CWaC leaders confirmed action was being take to regain control of the Deva Stadium.
Council leader Mike Jones said: “In one respect today’s High Court decision is a sad day for football in Chester. In another, it could well herald the start of an exciting new beginning.
“We are in the process of taking action to secure the imminent return of the stadium to our control.”
Chester MP Christine Russell said: “There is no reason why Chester City FC can’t continue. The way is now clear for the phoenix club.
“The key now is very much the outcome of discussions between fans and the local authority.
“CWaC, who own the Deva Stadium, need to take the necessary steps to gain possession of the Deva Stadium and enter in to positive dialogue with CFU.”
Mrs Russell, a member of the all-party Football Group at the Houses of Parliament, is meeting members at an annual reception on Monday and is planning to talk to both Football Association and Football League officials.
She said: “There are plenty of teams that have had highs and lows. Their fortunes may be at a low ebb at the moment but the fans are 100 per cent behind the club and if discussions can be held between CWaC and CFU, then we can have a club rising from the mire of the Vaughan era.
“Of course, it was just not just the Vaughan era that led to the end of the club, but also the fans have been let down by the mismanagement of the club under a succession of owners over many years.
“Let us hope there is a really positive dialogue between fans and the council and let’s hope there can be a team brought about in the manner of a phoenix club as has been the case with Telford AFC and York City.”
Barrie Hipkiss, lifelong fan and former chairman of the Official Chester City FC supporters group, described events as the “saddest day in the history of Chester City FC” but called on fans to rally in the bid to create a phoenix club.
Mr Hipkiss said: “Today we have witnessed 125 years of history broken and indeed it is a very sad. Hopefully Chester City can rise out of the ashes.
“Even though this news is something the fans had been expecting, it is still a shock. It is hard to think the entire club’s history has been broken due to neglect.
“Stephen Vaughan could have released the club a lot sooner. Now, as fans, we have to keep our chins up, carry on and work hard to bring a football club back to Chester.