Football Season Guide

National League

England

National League

2014/2015

Chester FC

In

Sean McConville (mid), Stockport), Danny Taylor (def), Colwyn Bay), Kieran Charnock (def), Stockport), Wayne Riley (mid), Hednesford), Kingsley James (mid), Hereford), Jon Worsnop (gk), Alfreton), Matty Brown (def), Chesterfield), Peter Winn (mid), Macclesfield), John Disney (def), Hednesford), Chris Iwelumo (att), St Johnstone), Gareth Roberts (def), Notts County)

Out

Lewis Turner (r)(def), Leeds - end of loan), Nathan Turner (sp)(mid), Leeds - end of loan), Andy Griffin (sp)(def), Matty Mainwaring (sp)(mid), Ricky Bridge (sp)(def), Brendon Daniels (sp)(att), Martin Fearon (sp)(gk), Paul Linwood (r)(def), Salford), Gareth Seddon (sp)(att), Salford), George Horan (r)(def), Jason Jarrett (r)(mid), Kevin McIntyre (r)(def), Connor’s Quay)

Chester are still in the Conference Premier for the coming season only because of the demotion of Hereford and will be determined to make the most of their lucky break and steer clear of relegation trouble. The Blues struggled to adapt to the top-flight of non-league football last season and were in and just above the bottom four throughout. Even the arrival of a very good manager like Steve Burr did not prevent them finishing below the line. Yet, the sad demise of the team that just pipped them in the final standings meant that they stay up. Burr will be surely determined to build a better squad and have a more successful campaign in the upcoming season and there were some impressive signings made over the summer. The former Scottish international and experienced striker, Chris Iwelumo, is the most eye-catching of the new arrivals while Gareth Roberts is a player of pedigree and nous as well. Whether they adapt to the Conference is another matter but the squad definitely looks impressive on paper at the moment. Kieron Charnock and Sean McConville have played at the level below last season but also have decent quality and pedigree and may prove good signings. Jon Wornsop is set to be the new keeper after enjoying a rather good season at Alfreton last year. George Horan and Paul Linwood, two of the more experienced members of the squad, have left over the summer and leave quite a big gap but Burr will be confident that his team have what it takes to be at least in mid-table. Indeed, there is good quality on the wings and in midfield and Chester should be much better prepared for the challenges ahead.

Target

Should be good enough to avoid a relegation battle and should be somewhere in the bottom half of the table