A weekly newspaper is celebrating victory after joining the fight to save their city’s local football club.

Chester City, relegated from League Two in May, were in danger of going out of business after the Football Association initially refused to affiliate them following financial irregularities.

The move would have prevented them from fulfilling their fixtures into the Blue Square Premier League and could have led to its demise.

But the FA backed down after the Chester Chronicle gave its backing to a fans’ campaign to save the club.

The Chronicle had sent the FA a copy of its back page, emblazoned with the headline ‘Do not let this historic club die.’

The game’s ruling body confirmed in a statement last Thursday that it was readmitting Chester City to membership although it has started the season on -25 points.

Executive editor Michael Green said: “From time to time, local newspapers like the Chester Chronicle produce pages which do more than just reflect what is happening in the area – they come from the heart.

“For all the traumatic events which have beset Chester City Football Club, especially during the past year, it is an institution which lies at the very core of this historic city.

“That is why we took the step this week of trying to do what we could to influence, albeit in a small way, the decision makers at the FA who held the very existence of the club in its hands.

“Our back page plea was also intended to remind them that they had a duty to uphold the interests of the most important people of all in this crisis – the supporters.”

Michael added: “We are delighted that common sense has prevailed and that the FA has finally allowed City the chance to belatedly kick off the season against Cambridge on Saturday

“The club may still have an almighty battle on their hands to survive in the Blue Square Premier but at least they now have control over their own fate and The Chronicle will be there to follow them every step of the way.”