CHESTER FC has thanked its chairman Andrew Morris as he has chosen to step down from the role and from the City Fans United Board of Directors.

Even by the standards of Chester FC's never-dull history over the decades, the past couple of years has seen the club face what it described as "unprecedented challenges", with Andrew taking the role of chairman in April 2020, at the time the 2019/20 National League North season was abruptly curtailed as a result of the Covid pandemic.

Prior to then, when Andrew was first elected to the Board in October 2017, the Blues were in a bad place both in the National League and financially.

Over the past few years, despite everything that has been thrown at the club – the most recent being a bizarre border row on Covid rules which forced the postponement of a home game – Chester FC have weathered the storm, with fans praising the Board's handling of recent challenges.

In a statement, City Fans United confirmed Andrew had tendered his resignation on Saturday evening, on a day the Blues recorded their best result of the season with a 5-0 thrashing against Southport.

The statement added: "The Board wishes to place on record its collective gratitude and appreciation for his significant contribution. We thank him for agreeing to a handover period to ensure an orderly transition, and wish Andrew the very best for the future."

Andrew said: “The past few months have seen a great deal of soul searching and reflection, and I think it is the right time to pass the baton on to someone else and stand down from the board.

“I joined the board on the brink of financial crisis and have encountered a relegation, flooding, a takeover approach, global pandemic, two curtailed seasons, the misallocation of National Lottery funding, and the recent border issues, so I can certainly say it has been an eventful time and an incredible experience.

“The coming months are going to be challenging as the Club seeks to build a competitive side for next season while continuing to ensure the short and long-term sustainability of the football club, and it is only right that this work is led by someone able to commit the time that this demands, therefore I have decided to resign from my position to allow a new Chairman to mould and shape the future direction for the coming season.

“Without doubt it has been a pleasure to serve on the Board since 2017 and I wish all associated with the Club, from the Board, employees, volunteers through to Steve, the coaching and playing staff all the best.”

The Board plans to meet this week to confirm the appointment of a new chairman, with vice chairman Jim Green fulfilling the role in the interim.

Reacting to the news on social media, Jim said: "Andy has given a HUGE amount to our club during some of the most challenging of times."