Midfielder Justin Walker was a Keith Curle signing from Cambridge United in summer 2005. The former Nottingham Forest junior never really established himself at City and was restricted to 13+8 appearances before a knee injury in February forced him to miss most of the remainder of the season and he was released by Mark Wright at the end of the campaign. Justin, who represented England at youth and schoolboy level, made his Football League debut for Scunthorpe United in 1997 and played in their Division Three Play-Off Final against Leyton Orient at Wembley in 1999.

In 2000 he moved to Lincoln City on a free transfer before earning the unfortunate distinction of representing three clubs who were all relegated to the Conference in the season he played for them, Exeter City, York City and Cambridge United. Following his release by Chester Justin signed for Ilkeston Town of the Unibond Premier League where he is currently in his second season.

Chester fans will always remember Derek Asamoah for the burst of goals he scored at the end of the 2005/06 season that effectively saved City from relegation back to the Conference. The Ghanaian born striker came to the Deva Stadium on loan from Lincoln City, where ironically he was struggling to find the back of the net, and made his debut in the 1-0 home defeat to Boston United.

Following the sacking of Keith Curle, and the arrival of Mark Wright, Derek lost his place in the side but was given a second opportunity when Michael Branch fell out of favour. Paired alongside big Jake Edwards, the diminutive forward with blistering pace made a stunning return with three goals at Boston making him the last City player to score a hat-trick. Three days later he netted a brace against Macclesfield Town followed by the only goal at Oxford and crucially the winner against local rivals Wrexham.

Assured of hero status at the Deva Stadium Derek returned to Sincil Bank but was released by the Imps during the summer and signed for Shrewsbury Town. Derek, who had always proved to be a handful when playing against City, had a successful campaign at Gay Meadow scoring ten goals as the Shrews qualified for the Division Two play-offs. He also gained his first international cap for Ghana when he featured in a friendly against South Korea in October 2006.

In August 2007 Derek was signed by French Division One side OGC Nice for £50,000 in a controversial transfer after going absent from Shrewsbury for a one week trial in France. Unfortunately the exciting Ghanaian has been unable to secure a regular first team place for the French side.

Liverpool born Robbie Booth was one of the first youngsters to break through into the first team following promotion from the Conference in 2004. Released as a third year scholar by Everton, the right sided midfielder was given his debut by Ian Rush in the impressive 2-1 LDV Trophy victory at Sheffield Wednesday in September 2004.

Two months later he made his league debut in the 3-1 home defeat to Oxford United. After making sporadic appearances over the next few months Robbie played up front alongside Ryan Lowe in four of the last five games and scored his first league goal in the 2-1 win over Boston United. Despite breaking through into the first team Robbie was released, along with most of the rest of the squad, as Keith Curle cleared the decks during the summer.

Robbie signed for Southport and made 5+18 appearances for the Conference strugglers as well as appearing on loan for Burscough. After starting 2006/07 with the Sandgrounders Robbie had the remainder of his contract cancelled by mutual consent in September and moved permanently to Burscough where he was re-united with his former manager at Southport, Liam Watson.

Last season he helped Burscough to the Unibond Premier League and continues to feature for the club, either as a striker or right midfield, in the Blue Square North.

Chas Sumner [Published 12/4/08] | Pictures © Evening Leader