Latest news from Deva Stadium

In the Conference fixture list issued today the Blues have been given a trip to Essex for an away match at Grays Athletic on the opening day of the season, 8 August. This is followed on the Tuesday night with their first home match against newly promoted Gateshead.

The two derby matches against Wrexham are scheduled take place over the border on Saturday 25 September and at Deva Stadium on 13 February.

The Blues will enter the FA Trophy at the First Round Proper stage on 12 December. The regular season will end on 24 April with a home match against Crawley Town.

• Full fixture list

2 July 2009
NEW CONTRACT FOR DANBY

John Danby has agreed a new two-year deal to stay at Deva Stadium. The goalkeeper who last year created a new club record for consecutive appearances, was also runner-up to Ryan Lowe in the Player of the Year award.

Danby said: “I’ve been talking to Chester throughout the summer and I have been watching closely what was happening at the club. I’ve met the new boss, Mick Wadsworth, and it was good to get my immediate future sorted out. We spoke about the gaffer’s plans for the season and what he is wanting to do. There are still a lot of players who are out of contract so he has a lot of players to choose from.”

New manager Mick Wadsworth spoke of the Danby deal: “John staying is as good as news as I could have asked for in my first week. We didn’t have a goalkeeper on the books but, more importantly, we’ve now got a top-class goalkeeper and a good character.”

More players are expected to be brought in as the club prepare for a return to training. Defender Neil Ashton is poised to sign after being released by Shrewsbury Town. The 24-year-old Liverpudlian began his career as a trainee at Tranmere Rovers in 2003 and scored one goal in 19+0 appearances whilst on loan at Macclesfield Town last season.

According to Wadsworth three more players could be heading to the Deva in the next few days: “I’ll keep quiet on them for now as I’m still finalising the details. But what I can say is that they are a couple of left-sided players, who can play left-back and left-wing, and a right-sided midfield player. I’m hoping to name them on Friday.”

One player believed to be targeted is 20-year-old Stalybridge Celtic left-back Rhys Meynell.

Picture © Evening Leader

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