Vaughan cuts Chester gate price

Chester City owner Stephen Vaughan has slashed ticket prices for the club's final six home games of the season in a desperate bid to attract missing fans.

Struggling City average just 1,820 for home league gates this season - way down on last season's average of 2,479.

They have reduced the admission price to just £10, starting with Tuesday's home date against Rotherham.

"I have taken the decision in an attempt to boost our home support at this important time," said Vaughan.

In 17 home games this season, City, 21st in League Two, have only topped the 2,000-mark four times.

And, following Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Barnet, coupled with Grimsby Town's 5-1 home win against Lincoln, Chester are now a mere two points above the relegation zone.

"I'm well aware that we need to bring two or three loan players so, if the co-ownership deal isn't concluded in the agreed timescale, I will again stump up the money needed

Chester owner Stephen Vaughan

City lost their place in the Football League in 2000, only to win it back four years later under Vaughan and manager Mark Wright.

But there is a real chance that City could find themselves back in Conference football, if they do not arrest their current 14-game, winless nosedive.

But, with two home games coming up in the space of five days - Grimsby are due on Saturday in an even more crucial fixture - Vaughan felt it was time to act.

"The decision will cost me a lot of money," he told the Liverpool Daily Post.

"Hopefully people in the area will rally round and come along and support and show us that football at this level is important to them."

In an attempt to break the cash-strapped club's current transfer embargo, Vaughan also revealed he has handed City's prospective new co-owner a seven-day deadline to complete a deal.

"We had lengthy discussions with the interested party at the end of last week," confirmed Vaughan. "He has expressed his enthusiasm about possible involvement.

"I have stated to him that there is a seven-day deadline on the transaction being completed, so I await official agreement from the gentleman in question.

"I am well aware that we need to bring two or three loan players to the club so, if the co-ownership deal isn't concluded in the agreed timescale, I will again stump up the money that is needed to lift the embargo."

When asked about the possible new investment in the club and the potential of bringing players in to the squad, Wright said there was nothing more he can do.

"I know the chairman is doing his best to do that [bring in investment]," said the manager.

"That's down to the board and the club not down to me. There's nothing more I can say about it if I'm being totally honest.

"If it happens - it happens, if it doesn't - it doesn't."