THE proposed Chester FC investor is prepared to donate a "substantial" sum which "should never see the club run out of money again".

Entrepreneur Stuart Murphy, founder of Exacta, a business rates company which began in Chester 20 years ago, was revealed as the Blues' potential investor at a press conference held at the city's Grosvenor Hotel on Thursday.

Although the specifics of the proposed investment remain under wraps for now, it is hoped a deal can be struck by the end of May to inject significant funds into the club's infrastructure which would help the Blues become more self sufficient.

Exacta had sponsored the reformed Chester FC's stadium in 2010 and Mr Murphy sponsored Chester City through a previous firm - Truetone - in 2004.

And it was after Chester FC's relegation was mathematically confirmed with defeat to Tranmere Rovers that Mr Murphy decided to see what he could do to help the crisis-hit club.

He said: "It was after they got beat I came straight down. Chester has been very good to me over the years and I want to put something back into the city.

"Chester FC is a club which is short on money but not on ideas. I have had a long association with the club over the past 10 years.

"My goal is to see the club into League Two and we have got to try and get out of this league [National League North, where Chester FC will play next season] in one go."

Mr Murphy is looking to use his business acumen to target where the club should be investing funds off the pitch which would ensure a profitable return, with ideas such as expanding the club's bar facilities, all-year-round pitch hire and the possibility of using the ground for pop concerts during the summer.

He stressed he would not be aiming to take ownership of the club with the proposed investment, was not expecting to see a personal return on the money, and Chester FC would continue with the fan-owned model.

He added: "What we do today is reap the rewards for tomorrow and thereafter...Every pound I put in I want to see £2 back for the club.

"It's a substantial investment which should never see the club run out of money again."

Investment in the first-team playing budget, which currently stands at £250,000 for next season, has not entirely been ruled out.

Chester FC chairman Dave Harrington-Wright, speaking at the press conference, said: "This investment will give us a return on all parts of the club and Stuart Murphy can get [potential new sponsor] contacts with his business expertise."