What a improbable begin to the season it has been! Our Men’s crew have hit the bottom working with three wins in a row to start a marketing campaign for the primary time since 2012/13, whereas victory final night time at Tranmere noticed our Women’s aspect additionally make it six factors from six within the NWWRFL Division One South.
It’s been a really busy – and thrilling – summer season on the Deva, and there’s nonetheless heaps taking place off the sector to maintain you up to date on.
DEVA COMMUNITY STADIUM LAUNCH
Earlier in the summertime, we introduced that the stadium could be renamed the Deva Community Stadium and promoted a model new partnership scheme. We needed to attempt to do one thing completely different after a number of years with no naming rights associate, and I’m happy to say we have already got 4 companions signed up for this.
This scheme affords companies and people the chance to turn into a part of the material of our house. We felt the inclusion of the phrase ‘Community’ inside the Deva Community Stadium title displays all the things Chester Football Club stands for.
You will see on Saturday that the Deva Stadium banner on the entrance of the bottom is not any extra, with the framework now fitted as an alternative. This is the primary stage in putting in our new LED signage on the entrance of the stadium, which has been very kindly part-funded by one in every of our companions and is because of be up in early September.
This is de facto thrilling for us. It’s an awesome alternative to make the entrance of the stadium look extra vibrant and fascinating, whereas permitting us to advertise our loyal companions and likewise showcase all the things we’re doing right here at Chester FC.
For extra info, go to chesterfc.com/devacommunitystadium or drop me an e mail at albert.davies@chesterfc.com.
SALE OF ALCOHOL IN KIOSKS
We are happy to announce that, topic to approval, we’re aiming to re-introduce alcohol into kiosks within the North and East stands in time for the Morecambe sport on Monday 31st August.
This shall be very a lot a phased strategy earlier than a full re-introduction, with initially pre-match gross sales accessible solely from 2:00pm–2:45pm in each kiosks within the Main Stand, in addition to Kiosk 7 within the North Terrace. It won’t be accessible within the West Stand/Family Zone or certainly to away supporters.
The intention is to offer supporters with the chance to buy a drink inside the stadium in a managed atmosphere. We imagine this might have wider operational advantages by encouraging followers to enter the bottom earlier, enhancing stream charges across the stadium and lowering stress and congestion on the Blues Bar.
As a fan-owned membership, we would like this to be one thing that our supporters can take pleasure in and that may turn into a everlasting a part of the matchday expertise as soon as once more. However, will probably be essential that supporters assist us to self-police this initiative and guarantee alcohol is consumed responsibly and inside the guidelines. Any vital points or incidents will probably outcome within the sale of alcohol being withdrawn once more.
Ultimately, it’s in everybody’s arms. We wish to make this work, however its continuation will depend upon all of us utilizing the ability responsibly.
PADEL
It’s been 15 months now since Pick Padel Ltd submitted planning for the event of a Padel and Pickleball facility on website right here. We’re actually happy that planning permission has now been granted and this undertaking can choose up tempo.
Pick Padel actually impressed us throughout the preliminary tender course of, not solely with their plans, but additionally with their eagerness to work with us as a membership, recognise our neighborhood influence and play an energetic function inside the wider neighborhood.
We are properly conscious that repurposing one other a part of the automotive park will influence the quantity of area accessible for matchday parking, however we even have to think about the numerous monetary advantages this can carry to the membership within the years to return, whereas serving to to make the location extra energetic and utilised on a everlasting foundation.
It is essential we actively discover different parking preparations with native companies within the space, in addition to the potential introduction of a matchday shuttle bus. There will little question be extra updates in the end as this improvement continues to maneuver ahead – however this can be a actually thrilling alternative for the membership and the opening of one other long-term income stream.
MATCHDAY SAFETY
There’s been loads of new faces on a primary crew entrance this summer season, but additionally we’ve seen some adjustments off it too! Ian Gallagher has been appointed as Safety Officer, bringing a formidable CV and a wealth of expertise within the function.
It can also be essential to position on file our due to outgoing Safety Officer Steve Povey who served the membership brilliantly for the final 16 years within the function since reformation.
Ian can have lots to tackle in his place, together with the introduction of Martyn’s Law, which is able to come into pressure from 2027 and place new duties on venues to strengthen preparedness for potential terrorist threats. For Chester FC, this can imply extra procedures, coaching and safety measures to assist guarantee we proceed to offer a secure atmosphere for supporters, employees and guests.
As a part of this, and our ongoing dedication to secure and pleasing matchdays, supporters ought to be conscious that applicable bag and private searches shall be carried out on entry to the stadium this season and onwards.
We kindly ask all supporters to cooperate with our employees and stewards. Any searches shall be carried out proportionately and respectfully, and these measures are an essential a part of protecting everybody secure and guaranteeing the Deva Community Stadium stays a welcoming atmosphere for all.
Matchday security isn’t nearly spectators both – it will be important we make our venue secure for the gamers too.
Following the tragic passing of Billy Vigar final yr, The FA has reviewed pitch perimeter security throughout the National League System, leading to new necessities for the 2026/27 season.
At Chester, an unbiased evaluation has recognized the necessity to take away and exchange the present perimeter partitions on the North and South Stands, set up secondary safety on the East and West Stands, and add safety across the dugouts and pitch entry steps.
We are already progressing this work with the Premier League Stadium Fund, with a website go to going down subsequent week and funding accessible for a lot of the required work.
Our precedence is to get the mandatory measures in place as shortly as attainable whereas guaranteeing the long-term resolution is true for the stadium.
SUPPORTER SURVEY
We’re at all times trying to make matchdays on the Deva as pleasing as attainable, whereas listening to supporter suggestions to grasp what we will do to enhance additional.
Our latest Supporter Survey acquired 300 responses and offered some actually useful perception that we are going to be taking ahead. Numerous the generally raised themes have already got our fast consideration; together with guaranteeing the bogs are persistently clear, exploring the viability of a matchday shuttle bus and lowering queue instances on the kiosks.
We’ll proceed to work via the suggestions and take a look at what sensible adjustments we will make to enhance the matchday expertise for everybody.
We would at all times actively encourage suggestions to the membership, as it’s pivotal to us enhancing. If you might have any additional ideas my emails are at all times open at albert.davies@chesterfc.com.
Thank you in your continued assist – Up the Seals!