BTB: A message to Chester FC supporters

As we near the deadline for this year’s Boost the Budget campaign, I wanted to take this opportunity to express the immense gratitude we feel as directors and staff for your incredible support.

When we launched the scheme in 2020, it wasn’t quite a shot in the dark, but we were, in all honesty, trying to find a way to maintain a decent a playing budget, while dealing with the significant financial challenges that came out of the coronavirus pandemic.

That we now find ourselves approaching £650,000 raised over five years is beyond anything we could have imagined.

Fundraising has always been part of our fabric. There are no millionaire chairmen, wealthy shareholders, consortiums, or investment funds here. Just us – good people who give whatever time, money, and support they can to the club they love.

Over recent seasons, several previous fundraising schemes have been consolidated into Boost the Budget, and it’s now become a cornerstone of how we plan. It allows the board to set budgets with greater confidence, and it lets you as fans contribute directly to the team that represents you on the pitch.

A lot has changed in five years. The rising cost of living is affecting everyone, and we know that for some, contributing to Boost the Budget will not be an option at this time, or that you may have donated as much as you’re able. As a board, we never take any donations for granted, and appreciate that you each support the club in your own way: purchasing season tickets; paying at the turnstile; signing up for the Seals Lottery; buying from the club shop; the list goes on. If you’ve already given what you can – thank you.

We know that, at times, it may feel like we ask a lot, but that is the nature of supporter ownership. I’m not naive, and for all the arguments I can make in favour of being fan-owned, there are undoubted challenges, especially in an arena that is increasingly competitive, where many clubs are losing hundreds of thousands of pounds, but Boost the Budget captures the biggest strength of our model: togetherness.

Close to £650,000 raised in five years through the collective efforts of hundreds of individuals with a shared passion and commitment to help their football team progress, is a remarkable achievement, and with a few hours remaining, we still have time to reach this year’s goal of £125,000.

We knew this was an ambitious target, particularly in the current climate, but, having come so close to promotion in 2024/25, we believed it was important to strive for the best possible playing budget for the campaign ahead. At the time of writing, we are about £6,000 short, so it’s time for one last collective push. Whether its 300 of us making an additional one-off £20 donation, or another 50 of us signing up to pledge £10 per month via Direct Debit, if we can get over the line it will be an incredible feat.

If we don’t quite manage to hit our target, let’s not allow any initial disappointment to detract from what a magnificent effort it has been.

You have raised a record sum that has allowed us to make five quality additions to an already strong playing group this summer, and we are working hard to add at least two more before the new season kicks off.

If you haven’t yet, and you’re able to – please consider getting involved. Whether it’s £5 or £50, every contribution makes a difference.

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT BOOST THE BUDGET!

Thanks again for your continued support.

Jim Green, Vice Chairman.