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Who are theJunior Blues?
The Junior Blues are a part of the City Fans United supporters group catering for Chester FC fans under the age of 16. At the age of 16, Junior Blues memberships are automatically transferred to City Fans United. At present there are over 400 Junior Blues and membership is growing by the day. The organisation has its own volunteer Committee and seeks to engage with our younger supporters and ensure that their views are represented. There are eight current Committee members who are::-
Chairman (Syl Whelan), Vice Chairman (Steve Whelan), Secretary/Communication/Memberships (Brian Burns), Treasurer (Keith Musson), Media (Daniel Burns assisted by Matty Whelan) along with Paul Brighton, Paul Morris (pre teen event organisation focus) and Laura Shaw, Steve Shaw (teen group event organisation focus).
For season 2011/2012 we will be wearing Polo shirts (or raincoats !!) so that you can see who we are and come and meet us. (Mums, Dads, Carers rest assured most of us already have enhanced CRB checks with new committee members in the process of becoming CRB checked).
What are we trying to achieve?
Our aim is to make supporting Chester FC for under 16's, as inclusive as possible via participation in "the match day experience" as well as providing many other activities and opportunities to enhance enjoyment of being a Junior Blue and being an integral part of Chester Football Club. In its' initial year, the Junior Blues Committee organised a variety of successful events and activities for its members including: a free trip to the National Football Museum, a painting competition with prizes and judged by Blues legend Gary Talbot, a free day trip to visit our friends at FC United of Manchester for their annual FC Youth day, a Junior Blues Summer "Fun" Day at the Exacta Stadium, and free Christmas parties (with a free entertainment and visit by Santa) for our younger members, with older groups enjoying an evening"s Ten Pin bowling and food. The JB's also provided "guards of honour" at our first and last matches of our initial season.
In this coming year we will be providing activities for all age groups : eg JB's activities at a proposed Community day, a T shirt design competition ( judged by Michael Wilde & George Horan - 2 winners will receive a free season ticket worth £30 and their winning T shirt printed and made available for sale), a JB's section in match day programmes (tell us your ideas) ,more activities and involvement of our older members such as a Computer games night in the Blues Bar, a Fish'n Chip or Pizza night after watching a CFC training session or supporting a Youth team match. We will frequently update JB's web page with JB's news and develop further the JB's Facebook page for our older age group members. We are also developing a discount scheme where, on production of JB's membership cards, JB's will receive a discount from a variety of shops and activity venues. Most notable of these is a 10% discount on the Michael Wilde/Chester FC Summer Soccer Schools in July and August. These 3 day Soccer Schools cost £50 (£45 to Junior Blues meaning you've already getting back your £5 Junior Blues membership fee. (contact
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or 07864281447 for further information) or see Chester FC website: http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/chesterfootballclub/news/wildeys-soccer-school--appli-326020.html
Recently the Junior Blues Committee have developed a CFC/Junior Blues "Roadshow" where we have already attended or plan to attend some school or district summer fairs/fetes, etc to promote the JB's as a small part of the football club's' Community Cohesion and Outreach programmes. As well as trying to "sign up" new members to come and support Chester Football Club and enjoy the match day experience, we try to bring along Chester FC's favourite mascot, "BiG Lupus", who is always popular and a star attraction with our younger supporters. If we are really lucky we may be able to bring a player. If you think it may be a good idea for your school, cubs, community fete or whatever, please e-mail
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Junior Blues Membership - what does it cost and what do I get for joining?
Apart from simply being a real part of an exciting Football Club, on joining and upon renewal, each member this season will receive a welcome pack which includes a membership card (new members only), a unique City Fans United Junior Blues enamel badge, a wrist band (I am a Chester fan, I am a Champion), plus 10% off any Chester FC Joma sportswear products (Junior Sizes up to age 16) purchased in the Club Shop. (Sign up/renew now for your membership cards and welcome packs which will be available in mid July). When the playing squad is finalised for the coming season, each JB member will receive an autograph sheet to collect the playing squad's autographs. These, together with access to any forthcoming events (eg free Xmas parties/activities) and competitions, represents real value for money. All of this AND the fantastic offer by Chester FC of Junior Season tickets for just £30 for the whole season of League matches ....which is equal to just over £1.30 per game entrance fee)................and the opportunity of a season ticket PLUS a replica shirt for ONLY £50. What an offer! This shows that supporting Chester FC is not only exciting, but affordable.
There are currently over 400 members of the Junior Blues, and we are now looking to our next milestone of 500 members, and you can help us reach that target. If each present member could introduce just one more member, we would have 800 JB's, so 500 should be an achievable target, so "spread the word" particularly among your friends and school friends.
New Membership/Renewal application forms can be downloaded via the CFU website:- http://www.cityfansunited.com/docs/CFU_Juniors_Membership_Form_A4_June_2011.pdfor are available at the Club Office on weekdays (10-4) and on future match days. Forms should be returned to the Exacta Stadium Ticket Office with a payment of £5 (cheques payable to City Fans United Junior Blues).
Fundraising/Sponsorship
The Junior Blues needs to raise its own finance in order to provide free or subsidised activities for its members throughout the year. We welcome any offers of sponsorship for the Junior Blues and JB activities. Next season we will have our own page in the match day programme and we will happily include our sponsor's names...... But we like to raise money ourselves and intend to "fund raise" at the Community Day (July 23rd) with raffles and fundraising ideas. We will probably do another bag packing session in a local supermarket as well as another sponsored walk around the Exacta. One fundraiser we are proud of is the Junior Blues Quiz Shield which we run twice a year and is very keenly contested for a beautiful shield known as the Junior Blues Richard Wightman Shield in remembrance of Rich Wightman one of the original Club Directors and a good friend of the Junior Blues, who sadly died earlier this year. The first two quizzes were "Sports" quizzes, but having listened to many of the JB's Mums, we will make one of those quizzes a General Knowledge quiz so more JB parents and Adults can feel involved.
So there's lots going on with many people working hard behind the scenes to ensure that we build for the future for our Football Club, and the under 16's (Junior Blues) have a really big part to play. The Committee are keen to know what JB's would like us to do for you in the future and welcome your ideas/input/feedback on anything to do with the JB's.
Please contact us via e-mail at (
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) or drop a note off at the Club office in an envelope marked "Junior Blues". |
Junior Blues
The Junior Blues are an integral part of the City Fans United supporters group, for Chester fans under the age of 16. The Junior Blues boast their own committee which is a sub-committee of the CFU, consisting of five people including Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Fund Raising Officer plus many volunteers.