We need ideas. This is an old one of mine. The 250 Club

Okay.

It's been a long day. Chester have blown what looks like a chance to at least give themselves a fighting chance of staying up this season so it looks like a case of preparing for next season in the National League North unless something dramatic happens in the next 3 months.

So, after a night of thinking about all of this and being in the main depressed about the whole thing, we need to think about how we can help our club. So my challenge to all Chester fans is think of an idea that can benefit our club for next season and beyond.

Here's mine. Now this is something that I put together in a few minutes. I've always believed in getting families back in to our club. The task 8 years ago was to see more fans in Chester shirts than the usual Man Utd and Liverpool shirts that you'd tend to see around town. Now we need those families back so that we get new Chester fans of the future. Where am I going with this? Read on...

Many businesses can help...

250 Club (this was suggested about 18 months ago to the club)

Plan.

To create a business club with a minimum 250 businesses that commit to a figure of £250 that gives them corporate CFU membership for 5 years, raising £62,500 for CFU.

Aim.

250 businesses sign up to help promote the fact that Chester FC is a fan owned club for the community of Chester and the surrounding areas to become involved in.

Benefits.

Each business that signs up by paying £250 to CFU corporate will each receive 4 family tickets (value £168). If they then refer another 5 businesses they'll receive a further 2 family tickets (value £84).

Social media mentions for all taking part

Each month, a CFU Corporate members draw would take place, to include:

• Directors Row tickets
• Signed ball or shirt
• Directors Experience
• Attend training session with pictures with players and manager
• £25 voucher to spend in club shop
• Website article
• Match programme article
• Stadium tour
• 1 free hire of the Legends Lounge for business meeting
• Business of the month title

Sums.

250 x £250 = £62500 for CFU

Options from here.

£12,500 could be set aside for one match in the season to be £1 entry for all, based on fans picking up 10 tokens from games in the first half of the season. Season Ticket holders to have this included as their free matches allocation.

The club could then take a minimum £3000 based on a 4000 attendance (taking into consideration 1000 season ticket holders).

Objective being to reward those who pay on the day fans who have watched the club in the first half of the season, with a Match for a Quid in the second half of the season.

What if the 250 Club exceeds 250 members?

Simple. It's still the 250 Club. The more the better and it can grow organically. For every additional 100 businesses that join the club, the original 250 get an additional family ticket.

The idea is for businesses to receive the family tickets to then pass on to encourage new people down to the match, maybe via an in house competition, or for them simply to reward excellence at work. With it being a family ticket, they could then bring children to the game too, which would potentially increase the number of young children attending the games.

I really believe that there are businesses out there who are run by fans like you and me and are happy enough to put £250 in to the club and help where they can.

The benefits are not set in stone, they are just ideas, but ideas that don't cost anything.

Thoughts?

What would be your idea and could it help raise instant funds for the club as that's what it will need.

Now, the club under the stewardship of Mark Maguire has said a 100 club was ready to be launched with an initial target to hit to see a budget being hit. I believe we can do even better with a more affordable option for small and medium businesses out there. 

Question is, as a business, would you pledge to pay £250 based on the above?

Thanks Jeff