Chester FC have secured a major financial boost with entrepreneur Stuart Murphy committing £1million to the club.

The seven-figure sum will be donated by Chester-based businessman Murphy, spread out over the next three years, to improve the infrastructure of the club and to avoid a repeat of last season’s financial crisis, which forced Blues supporters to raise over £100,000 to stave of insolvency.

Murphy, 64, approached the club towards the end of last season, and his identity as Chester’s mystery donor was unveiled last month, where he stated he felt the need to step in and help the cash-strapped National League North outfit.

Murphy who owns Chester-based business rates firm Exacta who sponsored the Deva Stadium for five years up until 2015, has been invited to join recently re-established Operations Board who run the club, but his cash injection is in donation form and the Blues remain 100 per cent owned by supporters-group City Fans United.

Murphy is also expected to ensure some of the funds are committed to the first-team budget, to allow Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley to strengthen the squad ahead of a bid to win promotion back into the National League.

Speaking about the investment, Murphy said: “I am really delighted to be able to join forces with the board and supporters at Chester FC. This gives me a great opportunity to give something back to the City of Chester and to the football club that I care for so much.

“I have lots of ideas to move the club forward positively and I can't wait to get started. There is much to do, but I am confident that together we can now start to write a new and far more positive chapter in the history of Chester FC.”

David Harrington Wright, Chester FC chairman, said: “I am so pleased for everyone that we have been given this opportunity.

“I know that Stuart is brimming with ideas and we are so grateful to him for this generous donation and for his skill, expertise and time that he will commit to help our club.

“This is a one-off chance for everyone at Chester Football Club. If we all pull together, we can really make it work.”

A club statement released this evening reads: ‘Further to the statement dated 10th May 2018, the Board of City Fans United are delighted to announce that a Donation Agreement has been agreed between Chester City Supporters Society and Mr Stuart Murphy.

‘The Agreement was reached following due legal process and we would like to thank our legal team at Gateley Plc and Supporters Direct for their invaluable help in this matter. We would also wish to thank the legal team at Jolliffes and Simon Williams who represented Stuart in this process.

‘There will be absolutely no dilution of the principles of fan ownership nor control as a result of this agreement.

‘Stuart has committed to helping Chester Football Club for a period of three years, during which time he is to donate the sum of £1million, the majority of which will be allocated to infrastructure improvements that will enable the club to increase its overall sustainability.

‘Stuart has been invited to join the Operations Board for the duration of the agreement.’