CHESTER FC have launched an ambitious £100,000 'Boost the Budget' campaign to bring in much-needed revenue for next season's playing budget.

The National League North club, like many in its position, has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with the remainder of the 2019-20 season's fixtures wiped out.

In addition, National League chiefs' dithering on how to end the current season, including whether to hold the play-offs, has left the club in limbo while others in the league have been able to start preparing for next season, which is currently pencilled in for a September start.

As a result, Chester FC are calling on its supporters to raise vital funds – and be rewarded for doing so.

A club statement said: "The coronavirus pandemic has been an uncertain and difficult time for everyone. The Board has taken a number of steps to safeguard the future of the club, but the club’s ability to raise revenue and budget for next season has been greatly affected.

"Backing ‘Boost the Budget’ will provide the management team with certainty around the playing budget and give Chester FC the best chance of hitting the ground running next season in what will be a much-changed football landscape.

"Supporters will not just be contributing to the football club and raising vital funds – there is also an exciting five tier reward scheme giving fans the chance to win some fantastic prizes and claim unique merchandise and experiences.

"In addition, their support will help the club attract new youngsters to the Deva Stadium through providing free season tickets for the award-winning Chester FC Community Trust to distribute in the local community."

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 setup 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 scheme opens today, Friday, June 12, and will run until Friday, July 31.

The club welcomes any contribution that supporters can make either as a one-off payment or via monthly direct debit.

Chair of the CFU board Andy Morris said: “As a club we are delighted to launch this initiative which will allow our supporters to donate and support the club financially as we prepare for next season.

“We have seen other clubs at our level adopt similar fundraising approaches recently where their supporters have donated significant sums to support the sustainability and continued development of their club.

“Supporters are eager to support the club financially as well as donating their time and skills in other ways and this scheme provides a forum for the community of Chester to donate financially to support their club.

“This scheme will allow our supporters to actively contribute over a sustained period of time to support the continued development we have seen on the pitch over the last two years even during this very difficult period where budgets are restrained.”

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.

Everyone making a donation of any size will be thanked in the first matchday programme of the new season.

There are five tiers of Boost the Budget rewards available for 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.