Community Trust News

News

  • Chester FC Community Trust is seeking to appoint two Lead Coaches to work within the Chester FC Girls’ Emerging Talent Centre (ETC), supporting the U12s and U16s squads. The successful candidates will be responsible for planning and delivering high-quality coaching sessions, working closely with the Player Development Lead to implement the Girls’ ETC technical programme. Coaches will also collaborate with the ETC Manager and wider coaching team to support the holistic development of high-performing female players, both on and off the pitch. Role Details • Position: Lead Coach (U12s or U16s) • Hours: 1.5 hours per week • Programme length: 30-week training programme (September to June) • Training nights: Mondays • U12s: 5:30pm – 7:00pm • U16s: 7:00pm – 8:30pm • Additional commitment: Games programme during school holidays Candidate Requirements Applicants must hold: • FA Level 2 (UEFA C) Coaching Football qualification (minimum) • FA First Aid and Safeguarding certificates • Experience coaching female players • A strong understanding of the England Women’s Player Pathway Desirable Attributes • Excellent communication and organisational skills • A player-centred coaching approach • Commitment to long-term player development within the women’s game A competitive hourly rate dependent on qualifications and experience is offered, along with additional renumeration of £20 per home fixture and £40 per away fixture. We also offer Chester FC uniform, support with CPD and training, and a fantastic opportunity to take on a key role within a successful club community organisation. Appointment will be subject to enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and a full UK driving licence would be an advantage. Girls ETC Lead Coach Responsibilities • Create and deliver high quality coaching sessions to girls in the designated age group, to attain the highest levels of performance possible in a safe, secure and supportive environment. • Implement the training and games programmes in line with the Chester FC Girls ETC curriculum. • Monitor player development and provide feedback on player progress through relevant and achievable individual development plans following the completion of player review process. • Carry out administrative duties as required, including but not limited to, attendance registers, risk assessments, evaluation of coaching sessions. • Be responsible for the welfare of players within the designated age group. • Contribute to a positive learning environment where any player is welcome, and development is encouraged via a systemic approach to identify emerging talent. • Work alongside the ETC Manager and Player Development Lead to ensure players are receiving the best experience possible to support each individual develop appropriately across the FA’s four corners. • Ensure effective communication between all departments and stakeholders, including parents, is continuous throughout the season. • Adhere to FA safeguarding and equality policies and procedures, and FA and ETC codes of conduct at all times HOW TO APPLY Please submit a covering letter together with your CV marked for the attention of CEO Jim Green via jim.green@chesterfc.com. The closing date for applications is Friday 16th January 2026.

  • As 2025 comes to an end, we’ve been taking a moment to look back on what’s been another special year for Chester FC Community Trust. We’ve loved seeing so many people getting involved in our programmes and accessing our facilities, becoming healthier, more confident, and better connected. There have been brilliant events, individual success stories, and memorable moments, but among the standouts have been: • Blacon Youth Hub ensuring young people have access to a safe, welcoming space to meet friends, take part in activities, and feel supported • The growth of our Walking Sports sessions, helping people stay active or return to the sport they love and form new friendships • The achievements of our Football Education students, who are hitting their goals on and off the pitch. Community Trust CEO Jim Green said: “We’re really proud of what’s been achieved in 2025 and excited for the next 12 months. It’s very much a team effort, and we’re hugely grateful to every participant, our fantastic staff and volunteers, and our funders and partners for their continued support of our work, which helps us make a real difference in our communities.”

  • Chester FC Community Trust is grateful to Rosebridge and Pro Sport Wealth for their generous support of this year’s Toy Appeal. The Trust and Chester FC are proud to support the Christmas Big Yellow Toy Appeal 2025, encouraging supporters to donate new toys and gifts for families and children in need. Gareth Griffiths and Adam Cooper from Rosebridge and Pro Sport Wealth visited the King George V Community Sports Hub to hand over their donation this week. Thanks to their support, and that of others, the Community Trust and club will be able to provide a large collection of toys and gifts to help bring festive cheer to less fortunate local children and families. The Toy Appeal invites fans to donate new toys and gifts, which will be distributed to local charities in time for Christmas. Donations can be dropped off at the Deva Stadium and King George V Community Sports Hub up to and including Wednesday 17th December 2025. Additional drop-off locations include Morrison’s in Saltney, the Royal Mail on Jupiter Drive, and Big Yellow Self Storage on Sealand Road.

  • We’re excited to invite Blacon Youth Hub members to our annual Christmas Party! Join us for a evening of bowling, food and festive fun as we celebrate a fantastic 12 months for the Youth Hub. Our final session of 2025 will take place at Tenpin Chester from 6pm to 8pm with all Youth Hub members welcome to attend. Tickets cost £6 per person, which includes two games of bowling and a choice of food from the below options: Burger + Chips Cheeseburger + Chips Chicken Nuggets + Chips Veggie Burger + Chips To brighten up the lanes, we encourage everyone to wear something Christmassy – whether it’s a Christmas jumper, a Santa hat, or your own unique festive fashion twist! Travel to and from Tenpin Chester is the responsibility of parents or carers. Parents are welcome to drop off their children at the start of the event and collect them afterwards. To book your place, visit community.chesterfc.com/book – but be quick as spaces are limited. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

  • Buy a ticket for Chester FC Community Trust’s Christmas Prize Draw and you could win £250 cash in time for Christmas Day! With 10 fantastic prizes up for grabs, including a night at The Queen Hotel, tickets for Knowsley Safari Park and signed Chester FC merchandise, you’re not only in with the chance of being a winner, but you’ll also be helping the Community Trust’s continue its work supporting communities across Chester. Entries are £5 and every penny raised will be reinvested in the Community Trust’s programmes and projects, including mental health football, disability football, wellbeing walks, schools engagement and matchday activities at the Deva Stadium. There’s no limit on how many times you can enter, so the more tickets you buy, the greater your chance of being a winner, and the winners will be drawn on Saturday 20th December 2025. CLICK HERE TO ENTER List of Prizes £250 cash One night stay for two at The Queen at Chester Hotel Signed Chester FC home shirt Family ticket for Knowsley Safari Park Signed Chester FC football Pair of Chester FC Legends Lounge hospitality tickets Two immersive murder mystery games from Cases & Clues Family ticket for Chester FC Tassimo Coffee Machine Amazon Echo Dot Smart Speaker The raffle is in aid of Chester FC Community Trust, so every ticket you buy will help support our charitable work in local communities. The winners will be drawn at 3:45pm on Saturday 20th December 2025.

  • Chester Football Club is backing the Christmas Big Yellow Toy Appeal 2025 with fans invited to donate a gift for someone less fortunate. The Toy Appeal aims to put smiles on faces over the festive period by collecting donations of new toys and gifts for distribution to children and families who are struggling. The football club and its charity have supported the Toy Appeal for a number of years and donations can be dropped off at the Deva Stadium and King George V Community Sports Hub up to and including Wednesday 17th December, before being distributed to local charities in time for Christmas. Big Yellow are asking for donations of new toys and gifts for ages 0-15, with additional drop-off points at Morrison’s in Saltney, the Royal Mail on Jupiter Drive and Big Yellow Self Storage on Sealand Road. For further information, contact Big Yellow Chester on 01244 399993 or email chester@bigyellow.co.uk.

  • Get ready for some festive football fun with Chester FC Community Trust coaches! We’re excited to be hosting a special Christmas Chester FC Soccer School over two dates during the holidays. Join our team on Monday 22nd December and Tuesday 30th December at King George V Community Sports Hub in Blacon, where each session will be packed with warm-ups, skill-building activities, and small-sided games to keep young footballers aged 5-15 active and smiling. Our Christmas camps run from 9am until 3pm and places are £18 per day – but you can take advantage of our Early Bird savings available when you book before the end of November. There’s an optional free breakfast available for all children on arrival and indoor space and activities in case of bad weather. Spaces for each day are limited and early booking is encouraged. If for any reason an event is unable to go ahead or you cannot attend, you will receive a full refund. Children are requested to arrive ready to play in kit and bring appropriate footwear, waterproof jacket, a drink and a packed lunch in a labelled bag or lunchbox. BOOK BEFORE THE END OF NOVEMBER FOR THE EARLY BIRD PRICE OF £15 PER DAY Bookings can be made online using the link below. CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW If you have any questions or would like more information, please email community@chesterfc.com. CHESTER FC SOCCER SCHOOL CHRISTMAS 2025 Dates: Monday 22nd December & Tuesday 30th December Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm Venue: King George V Community Sports Hub, Blacon Avenue, Chester CH1 5BD Ages: Boys & girls of all abilities aged 5–15 Arrival: Please arrive ready to play in kit What to bring: Appropriate footwear, waterproof jacket, water bottle, and a packed lunch in a labelled bag or lunchbox Breakfast: Free breakfast available for all players

  • Chester FC Community Trust is celebrating a busy and impactful autumn term, working closely with schools across Chester and Ellesmere Port to inspire children through high-quality sport, health, and wellbeing provision. The Community Trust’s Schools Programme continues to grow, offering curriculum PE, extra-curricular clubs, health education, and enrichment activities designed to help young people thrive both in and out of the classroom. Each programme is shaped around the needs of individual schools, ensuring pupils of all abilities are supported, challenged, and encouraged to be active. This term, the Community Trust has been providing weekly PE delivery across several partner schools, including full-day curriculum sessions at Kelsall Primary School and regular physical education support at The Firs School, where pupils are developing key skills such as teamwork, coordination, and confidence. The Community Trust is also delivering PE and school sport at Grosvenor Park Academy, where classes have enjoyed a mixture of games, athletics, and sport-specific skill development. Each session is planned in line with the national curriculum, with a focus on creating positive experiences that help pupils build a lifelong love of movement. After-School Opportunities for All A wide range of after-school sports clubs are running throughout the half-term, providing opportunities for children to stay active in fun and inclusive environments. These clubs span multiple schools, including St Clare’s, Barrow CE Primary, Abbey Gate College, Delamere Academy, and Malpas Alport Primary School. Sessions are tailored to the age and ability of each group, offering activities such as football, multi-skills, and team games. The Trust’s aim is to ensure children finish each school day with a smile, a sense of achievement, and greater confidence. Promoting Health and Wellbeing Alongside sport, the Community Trust continues to champion healthy lifestyles through delivery of the GULP (Give Up Loving Pop) programme in collaboration with Cheshire West and Chester Council. This term, GULP workshops are running at Brookside Primary, St Theresa’s Catholic Primary, and Acorns Primary, helping pupils understand the benefits of reducing sugary drinks and making healthier choices. These sessions support schools’ wider wellbeing priorities, encouraging pupils to take ownership of their health and develop positive habits for life. Working Together Beyond the Classroom The Community Trust is proud to be working with so many schools this term, helping to deliver meaningful, high-quality experiences that develop physical literacy, resilience, wellbeing, and confidence. We are also delighted that so many schools have signed up for the Chester FC School Season Ticket Scheme this year, and to have hosted the first two of six free inter-school football competitions for local primary schools. Schools interested in PE delivery, health programmes, extra-curricular clubs, or enrichment opportunities are encouraged to get in touch to discuss how the Trust can support them throughout the academic year. DOWNLOAD OUR 2025/26 SCHOOLS BROCHURE For more information or to explore becoming a partner school, please contact community@chesterfc.com.

  • It’s been a fantastic and productive month for our Chester FC Girls’ Emerging Talent Centre (ETC) squads, who have taken part in a number of exciting fixtures. Part of a national FA network designed to identify and develop future potential players, the Chester FC Girls ETC currently features 60 talented players across four age groups: U10s, U12s, U14s, and U16s. The training and games programme is designed to complement players’ existing grassroots football commitments, giving them the opportunity to learn, develop, and enjoy the game through a range of formats. Recent fixtures have seen our squads face strong opposition including Liverpool, Shrewsbury Town, Derry City, Wirral Schools FA, and Wigan Schools FA. In addition, our U10 and U12 teams hosted successful festivals that welcomed ETC sides from Liverpool, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Preston North End, Salford City, Manchester United, and Manchester City. A huge well done to all our players for their performances, effort, and enthusiasm throughout the month. We’d also like to extend our thanks to our dedicated coaches, as well as parents and carers, for their continued support. We are currently inviting a business to become the headline sponsor of the Chester FC Girls ETC for the 2025/26 season. For £4,000 + VAT, the package includes kit sponsorship (logo on front of kits for 60 players), facility advertising at the King George V Community Sports Hub, digital exposure (website, social media, newsletters), media coverage, and event participation. The sponsorship supports 30 weeks of technical training, matches and coaching for four age groups (U10s, U12s, U14s, U16s) delivered by the club’s Community Trust.

  • Get ready to move, groove, and express yourself – House of Dance is teaming up once again with Chester FC Community Trust to bring you an exciting After-School Dance Club at King George V Community Sports Hub! Who Can Join? Open to children aged 7–11, this fun-filled club is the perfect place for young dancers to learn, perform, and shine with the guidance of a House of Dance professional. When & Where • Starts: Monday 3rd November • Runs for: 7 weeks • Time: 16:00-17:00 (perfect for straight after school!) • Cost: £35 for the full course • Venue: King George V Community Sports Hub, Blacon Avenue, Chester CH1 5BD What to Expect Each session bursts with energy, creativity, and confidence-building fun! Children will: • Learn exciting new routines and choreography • Develop their dance skills • Enjoy opportunities to freestyle and showcase their own moves It’s all about expression, teamwork, and joy through dance – in a supportive and inspiring environment. About House of Dance Based in Chester, House of Dance offers dance, performing arts, theatre, and singing classes for children, young people, and adults of all levels and abilities. Find out more at www.houseofdance.co.uk. Book Your Place Spaces are limited – advance booking is essential! CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE For more details, anna.price@chesterfc.com. or info@houseofdance.co.uk.