Droylsden has proved a popular next port of call for former Chester players in the last 12 months. At present both Jimmy Haarhoff and Chris O’Brien are on loan with the Manchester club but three other players have moved to the Butchers Arms in the last 12 months.

Predictably Sam Hill was a regular in the team at the start of the 2001/02 season, when his father was manager, and he was released when Gordon was sacked in October. He had previously made an appearance for the club in the Pontins League in 1999/2000 when Ian Atkins was manager but was not retained. Sam made his full debut in last seasons opening game against Woking and went on to make 13 appearances scoring a single goal, against Nuneaton Borough. A former junior with Crewe Alex he also played for Buxton in the Northern Counties East. After leaving Chester he briefly joined Droylsden and is then believed to have played abroad

David Kerr (pictured) was signed by Graham Barrow, from Mansfield Town, before City’s first season in the Conference but was never able to establish himself as a regular in the first team. Although he started the first Conference game, at Rushden & Diamonds, he only managed a total of 13+7 league appearances in 18 months. Born in Dumfries David came through the junior ranks at Manchester City and made six appearances before a £20,000 transfer to Mansfield in July 1996. David, who could play in midfield or defence, moved to Droylsden in December 2001 at the same time as Sam Hill.

Darren Wright (pictured right) was Chester’s longest serving player at the time of his transfer to Droylsden in February having been associated with the club since the age of 10. After progressing through the youth system Darren made his first team debut in the 5-0 defeat at Exeter in April 1998 and scored his first goal, against Rochdale, in November that year. A striker who was prepared to chase every ball Darren never scored the goals his enthusiasm perhaps deserved. When Darren did find the net he was noted for his somersault goal celebration, a reminder that he also represented Cheshire and England schools at gymnastics. In his five seasons of first team football Darren made 40+48 appearances scoring seven goals. After two months on loan at Droylsden Darren signed permanently for the Bloods in February 2002.

Like his brother, Mike, Steve Rose started his career as a junior with Manchester United before moving to Bristol Rovers in summer 2000 followed by Chester 12 months later. Although first choice full back at the start of last season he soon lost his place and only managed a total of 8+3 appearances for Chester. Steve was released during the summer and joined Altrincham where he has featured in all of their first five games.