Tributes have been paid to the former chairman of Chester FC, who has sadly died following a long battle with cancer.

David Harrington-Wright was formally elected to the Chester FC board in October 2017, during a turbulent time for the Blues. He subsequently became chairman in April 2018 and, as Chester FC said in a statement (Friday, July 26), "oversaw a significant period of stability and revival for the club".

This included getting the Blues back on stable footing following their relegation from the National League, flooding at the club's facilities and the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He later remarked that his time at the head of the club was "a rollercoaster", adding: "I would like to think I leave the club in a better position than when I joined - but it has not been solely down to me.

"The hard work of all my fellow board members and many, many volunteers is something I am immensely proud of and I thank each and every one of them."

In December 2019, David took the decision to step back from the role to support and care for his wife Fiona Harrington-Wright, who sadly passed away the following month in January 2020, following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Fiona was cared for at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd in Backford, and this was a cause which David championed after he permanently stepped down from being club chairman in April 2020.

Speaking at the time he and The Standard backed the #SaveYourHospice appeal, which raised thousands of pounds for the hospice as it struggled through the pandemic, David said: "I was so relieved to know that Fiona was in the best possible place.

'Deepest sympathies'

"She was treated as an individual and the levels of staffing and person-centred care were exceptional. They also supported myself, family and visitors. The nurses always had time for us both and nothing was too much trouble."

In November 2021, David became a trustee at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, and continued to show support for Chester FC when he could.

David passed away peacefully this morning, aged 57.

Chester FC, in their statement, added: "We’d like to extend our deepest sympathies to David’s family and all of his friends. Funeral details will be communicated in due course for all those who wish to pay their respects.

"We’ll never forget you, Dave. Rest in Peace."