News from Deva Stadium June 2018

24 June 2018
TWO MORE SIGNINGS
Chester have signed two defenders as the squad returned to pre-season training. Full back John Pritchard has joined the Blues on a one year deal from Ashton United, Pritchard like fellow signing Dominic Smalley, helped Ashton to promotion to the National League North at the end of last season.

Also joining Chester on a one year deal is former Forest Green Rovers defender Jon Moran. He began his career at Crewe Alexandra before moving to Nantwich Town. After a successful tim with the Dabbers he moved to Forest Green in 2016 but struggled to break through into the first team and spent much of last season out on loan.

20 June 2018
£1M DONATION CONFIRMED
After weeks of negotiations and due diligence the club have confirmed the tremendous news that local entrepreneur Stuart Murphy will be donating £1million to the football club over the next three years.

The money is to be used to improve the infrastructure of the club. Murphy has been involved supporting the club before, his business rates firm Exacta sponsored the stadium for five years from 2010. The money is in the form of a donation, some of the funds may be permitted for first team building, and Murphy has been invited to join the recently re-launched operations Board at the club.

Speaking to the local press Murphy said: “I am really delighted to be able to join forces with the board and supporters at Chester FC. This gives me a great opportunity to give something back to the City of Chester and to the football club that I care for so much.”

“I have lots of ideas to move the club forward positively and I can't wait to get started. There is much to do, but I am confident that together we can now start to write a new and far more positive chapter in the history of Chester FC.”

David Harrington Wright, Chester FC chairman, added: “I am so pleased for everyone that we have been given this opportunity. I know that Stuart is brimming with ideas and we are so grateful to him for this generous donation and for his skill, expertise and time that he will commit to help our club. This is a one-off chance for everyone at Chester Football Club. If we all pull together, we can really make it work.”

PLAYERS MOVE ON
Three more players released by Chester have found clubs. Forward James Akintunde had joined Conference National side Maidenhead United, forward Harry White had joined National League North Hereford FC and Jordon Gough has joined fellow National League North side Boston United.

5 June 2018
FIRST TEAM COACH
Chester have appointed Derek Egan as their first-team coach on a part-time basis. Egan will link up again with Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson having worked with them at Salford City. He holds a Uefa A Licence and works full time for the Lancashire Football Association.

NEW SIGNINGS
Chester have added two more players to their squad as they build for life on the National League North next season. Goalkeeper Grant Shenton has signed from Trafford FC on a one year deal. The 27-year-old has previously played for Ramsbottom United during the time that Blues manager’s Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson were in charge. He has also played for FC United of Manchester and Stalybridge Celtic.

The Blues have also signed former Salford City and Southport defender defender Steve Howson, he was released by Southport at the end of the season and has previously played for Curzon Ashton, Radcliffe Borough and Ramsbottom United. Howson has also signed a one year deal.

• Transfer activity

PRE-SEASON FIXTURES
The club have announced the frst of their pre-season friendlies kicking off with a game against a Liverpool X1 on Saturday 7 July.

Jul 7

Liverpool X1