Chester owner appeals for money

Chester City chairman Stephen Vaughan has made it clear that he is worried about the long-term future of the club after a fresh appeal for new investors.

The struggling League Two side are now just 10 points clear of safety and are fearing a return to the Conference.

And Vaughan told the Chester Evening Leader: "Financially we're in a very difficult position. I can't continue to keep the club going by myself.

"The club is losing money hand over fist and it is still up for sale."

Added to that, cash-strapped City are still under a transfer embargo imposed by the Football League last summer.

And, following the deadline day departures of Mark Hughes, Eddie Johnson, Paul Butler and Tony Dinning, as well as loaned-out duo Paul McManus and Andy Mitchell, manager Mark Wright now has the smallest playing squad in the League.

Wright was forced to raid the youth team and had five teenagers on the bench for Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Brentford, a game for which he also had to select three half-fit players.

I've been struggling to make ends meet at Chester and that situation isn't getting any easier because I'm fighting daily to pay bills and overheads.

Stephen Vaughan

And, although Wright has stated his intention to remain in his post and try to turn things round for City, who have not won a match since Boxing Day, Vaughan has made it clear there will be no influx of new players until the club can attract new investment.

"We're still under a transfer embargo," said Vaughan, who has been looking for a new buyer since stepping down as chairman in December 2007. "No-one will be coming in.

"I'm looking for someone to buy the club or a group of investors to come in and help the club.

"I've put my heart and soul into the football club but it doesn't help when supporters decide to boycott home games in protest of my ownership."

Chester's average gates have now slumped to just over 1,860, comfortably the lowest in the league, having only four times attracted a 2,000-plus crowd in 15 home league games this season.

There are now obvious fears that the club might even be forced into administration, which would carry with it an automatic 10-point deduction.

And Vaughan insists that, while appreciating Wright's frustrations, the position remains unaltered from what the City manager faced when he chose to return to the club for a third spell in charge in November.

"Mark Wright needs to just get on with managing the team," said Vaughan. "He knew the club's position when he took the job on and that situation hasn't changed.

"I've been struggling to make ends meet at Chester and that situation isn't getting any easier because I'm fighting daily to pay bills and overheads.

"The owner wants to sell, but nobody wants to buy. If people want a club in Chester they need to come and support it."