CHESTER FC fans are being urged to give generously once more to help the club be in the best shape possible for the coming season.

The Blues have announced the return of its successful 'Boost the Budget' scheme, setting a target of £100,000 for the 2021/22 first team playing budget.

Last season, the fans' contributions totalled more than incredible £115,000 – a sum made all the more remarkable given that many supporters would have been facing an uncertain future themselves at the time, given the scale of the Covid crisis.

As with last year's campaign, a number of tiered rewards, including the chance to win Blues-themed prizes, as well as unique club merchandise and experiences, will be in place to help entice fans to dig deep.

Joint managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley said: “Boost the Budget is a hugely important scheme for this club, and we hope our incredible supporters firstly back us with the much-needed funds and secondly take advantage of the exciting reward scheme.

“It was fantastic to see how well supported Boost the Budget was in its first year, and we hope we can progress and smash through that total this year.

“It wasn’t the same without you in the stadium during 2020/21, but you will have seen through the live streams, the impact your contributions had on the team; a group of players giving absolutely everything for this club and playing a stylish brand of football.

“As a fan-owned club we have to be self-sustainable, but we know you share our ambition and desire to take this club to the next level and your support through Boost the Budget is pivotal to that.”

The scheme is now officially open and will run until Friday, July 30.

Contributions can be made as either a one-off payment or via monthly direct debit.

Chair of the CFU Board Andy Morris said: “Boost the Budget is a fantastic scheme which directly invests and supports the first team in our pursuit of achieving the highest possible finish in the 2021/22 season.

“The amount raised last year was incredible and without the contributions made by supporters via Boost the Budget we would have not been able to give the management team the resources to produce a team which played such attractive football during last years curtailed season.

“The challenge for our supporter base is to now exceed last season’s amount and show everyone what this club means to us.”

For more details about Boost the Budget, including what rewards people can expect to receive for their tiered pledge, visit https://www.chesterfc.com/boostthebudget/