By Dan Smith

Phoenix clubs are something now that have become common in modern day football and there are more than you might think.

A phoenix club is defined as a new parent company that is set up to replace the parent company of a club that has failed in business terms but not in sporting terms. In simple terms, it is basically a new club set up after the previous one had gone out of business.

These clubs tend to be set up by fans of the former club to make sure that they keep their clubs spirit alive. Hey also tend to keep similar club colours, crest and name as the former club.

The most well-known Phoenix club in modern day English football is AFC Wimbledon, set up after Wimbledon FC had moved to Milton Keynes and changed their name to MK Dons. Fans did not take kindly to this and set up a breakaway club that began in tier 9 of the English Football Pyramid. After 6 promotions in 13 years they now find themselves in League 1, the same league as their biggest rivals, MK Dons.

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Chester FC are one of the more recent and successful Phoenix clubs. Currently plying their trade in the Vanarama National League thy have come a long way since their financial trouble back in 2010. After failing to field a team for their game against Forest Green Rovers they were suspended from the League. Subsequent court appearances followed for the club as they wound up in administration and ultimately, they went out of business.

Starting off in the NPL Division one north in 2010 they won three successive promotions and have been in the conference since 2013. They are still hugely supported and continue to bring in big crowds, a record attendance of 5,000 against Northwich Victoria in 2012 only goes to prove this.

Aside from AFC Wimbledon, notable Phoenix clubs include Chester FC, Hereford, FC United of Manchester and Accrington Stanley. This just goes to show clubs and fans that even if things ultimately go wrong there is still hope that there club can return to where they once were.

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