CHESTER’S loyal fans have thrown their support behind the ambitious Boost the Budget with over £26,000 raised already.

The Blues are calling on supporters to raise vital funds for the club, who are looking to bring in a total of £100,000.

Chester confirmed that £26,389 had been raised by yesterday afternoon from 107 pledges.

A statement read: “We are delighted that our dedicated fans have backed the scheme with such enthusiasm so far.

“The Chester FC Boost the Budget fundraiser will give certainty to our management team as they prepare for next season in a very uncertain time.”

The scheme will run until Friday, July 31 with everyone who makes a donation of any size thanked in the first matchday programme of the new season.

There are five tiers of the scheme available to those who can commit to contributing above £5 per month - or equivalent one-off payment - to the playing budget.

The tiers are: Our City, Our Community, Our Club, Club Hero, and Club Legend - and each tier brings additional rewards as supporters raise their contribution.

Everyone contributing £5 per month and above will be entered into three draws to win one-off fan experiences.

For £10 per month and above supporters will help our Community Trust distribute matchday tickets to local youngsters and get a special ’10 Years’ Chester FC pin badge.

The Our Club tier, £20 per month and above, will help the club enormously and so fans can choose special rewards like appearing in the annual squad photo, or buying a brick for a special 10 years of Chester FC commemoration wall.

Above that, supporters can be a Club Hero for £50 per month and above, gaining the first tickets to next season’s End of Season Awards, or a Club Legend for £100 per month and above, for which they will be invited to a special Boost the Budget meal with the managers.

Rewards will be available to those committing to a direct debit at the level indicated or paying the equivalent one-off amount. Direct debits will come out of accounts on the second of each month. In calculating the total raised, the club will count the total amount pledged via direct debit plus one-off contributions.

Joint managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley said: “Boost the Budget is a critical scheme for Chester FC and we hope our incredible supporters firstly back us with the much needed funds and secondly take advantage of an exciting reward scheme that is in place.

“This £100,000 target isn’t just about bringing players in, it’s about us progressing as a club within our hybrid model. These funds allow us to stay in the training system we have been working towards over the past two years since we arrived at the Deva.

“Obviously we started as a part time club in 2018/19 and moved forward this season - and it is crucial we keep pushing on. The hybrid model is central to that.

“It is not just about signing players, it’s also about developing our youngsters through the excellent academy set-up and having a requisite scouting network in place.

“The five-year strategy that the City Fans United board have worked on - and that you would have had your say on during the consultation - casts an ambitious eye into the future and this scheme is the first step on the road to what we hope provides a platform for success down the line.

“Chester FC is for all of us. We have to be self-sustainable but also have to be ambitious to flourish in times of adversity. Your support is as vital as ever as we all look to progress.”

The club has launched a dedicated fundraising page at chesterfc.com/boostthebudget, which will be updated regularly with progress reports and further details about the rewards on offer.