Chester FC - Outcome of Sports Winter Survival Package application

Chester FC can update their members and supporters on the outcome of the club’s application to the Sports Winter Survival Package.

We have been informed our application for funding has been unsuccessful following assessment against the SWSP programme criteria and objectives.

Sport England has provided a detailed explanation of its reasoning and, while disappointed, we accept the decision of the assessment board and thank them for their consideration. We are pleased the assessment board acknowledged we have experienced a significant fall in revenues due to the impact of Covid and noted our prudent financial management.

Chester FC operates as a financially sustainable football club without debt and maintains a special reserve so therefore we were not considered to be at risk of no longer trading viably by the end of this financial year.

This position has been achieved through the exceptional support of our owners and supporters, substantial short-term reductions in expenditure and the curtailment of the 2020/21 season.

The volatile operating environment and lasting impact of Covid will require the Board to prepare for further financial pressures, however the collective efforts of the past 12 months provide us with cautious optimism our club can overcome these challenges and continue progressing on and off the pitch.