Chester have completed the signing of young winger Jefferson Abreu on an initial one-year deal.

Abreu, 21, arrives at the newly-named Deva Community Stadium from Cheshire neighbours Northwich Victoria, having earned his move on the back of a standout campaign for the Vics in the Midland Football League, where they finished the season second behind Hanley Town.

Abreu, who has had spells at Colne, Longridge Town and Garstang, came through the academy at Macclesfield and has been given the opportunity by Blues boss Phil Parkinson after a season where he netted 20 goals in 39 games from the wing, and picked up the Midland Football League Player of the Year accolade, as well as the Vics’ own Manager’s Player of the Year.

Said the Chester manager: “At just 21 years of age, Jefferson is one of the brightest young talents emerging from the lower divisions and he’s exactly the type of prospect we love to identify and develop.

“After scoring 20 goals in 39 appearances for Northwich Victoria last season, he has earned the opportunity to test himself at the next level.

“His performances last season were recognised across the division. He finished as Northwich Victoria’s top scorer, was voted the club’s Manager’s Player of the Season, and capped off an outstanding campaign by being named Midland League Player of the Year. Those accolades tell you a lot about the impact he had and the regard he’s held in by those who have watched and worked with him closely.

“Jefferson is a player with real attacking quality. He’s excellent in 1v1 situations, clinical in front of goal, and possesses the pace, power and athleticism to really frighten opposition defenders. He’s the type of player who can create something out of nothing, stretch defences, score goals, and get supporters off their seats.

“What excites me most is that there is still so much development ahead of him. At 21, he’s still got enormous potential and plenty of room to grow. He’s hungry, ambitious and determined to improve, and I believe our environment will help him continue that journey.

“We want to be a club that identifies top prospects before everyone else does, helps them develop, and gives them a platform to showcase their abilities. Jefferson fits that profile perfectly and is another player who embodies the young, hungry and ambitious culture we’re building here at Chester.”

Abreu becomes the seventh signing of the summer for Parkinson’s side, following the acquisitions of Luke Hewitson, Jacob Hazel, George Burroughs, Sam Reed, Kofi Moore and Dominic McHale, with another three additions secured and to be announced in due course. Two central defenders and an attacking midfielder with National League and EFL experience are on the agenda.

“It’s a club that I’ve been looking at for a while, I feel ready to push myself forward,” said Abreu.

“The gaffer made his intentions clear that I was a player he wanted early on. I’m an exciting winger that can be horrible to defend against and I’m ready to score some goals and help the team.”

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The home of Chester Football Club has a new name.

Chester have been on the hunt for a new stadium sponsor ever since the last deal with training and coaching consultancy business Leap76’s ended in 2023/24. Prior to that it had been three years without a naming rights partner, with former sponsorship deals seeing it called the 1885 Arena, Swansway Chester Stadium and Lookers Vauxhall Stadium, among others.

From today, the Blues’ home will be known as the Deva Community Stadium, with ‘stadium partners’ offered the chance to get involved on a tiered basis, with packages ranging from £15,000 for the season to £4,000.

The Seal understands that some partners have committed to come on board for the initiative and will be announced in due course.

“We’re delighted to launch our Community Stadium Partners scheme and offer businesses and individuals the opportunity to become part of the fabric of our home,” said club general manager Albert Davies in a statement.

“The initial response so far has been extremely encouraging. We’ve already welcomed a number of community-focused businesses and individuals to our Community Stadium Partners packages, and we’re looking forward to revealing them over the coming weeks.

“The inclusion of the word ‘Community’ within the Deva Community Stadium name reflects what Chester Football Club stands for. As a fan-owned club, our commitment extends far beyond the pitch - with community engagement, inclusivity and local impact at the heart of everything we do.

“The Deva Community Stadium is home to all Chester FC Men’s and Women’s fixtures, but its role extends far beyond matchdays. Throughout the year, the stadium regularly hosts events and functions for local businesses and individuals, is home to an on-site gym, welcomes local junior cup finals, and provides a hub for a wide range of community activities.

“By becoming a Community Stadium Partner, businesses and individuals are not only supporting the future of the stadium, but also helping to champion the values that make us unique.”

Back in May of last year, Chester had advertised the chance for businesses to become a title sponsor, with the naming rights one of the most valuable pieces of sponsorship inventory that the football club has to offer, something that can be significantly impactful to the club’s playing budget if the right deal is achieved.

After some initial expressions of interest, the club is bringing an end to the period without a stadium sponsor in time for 2026/27 season, something that will have a direct impact on what the club is able to do to put a competitive team on the pitch.

Chester chairman Nick Phillipson told The Seal earlier this year: “I think a National League North club is probably harder to sell to a company, particularly a national company, than a National League or certainly an EFL League Two club.

“Because of that, it hasn’t been an easy sell. Post‑Covid, lots of businesses aren’t looking to do that sort of thing. They’re managing their budgets, they’re managing their businesses to survive, with all the pressures and changes that have come in over the last few years.

“There’s something in the pipeline that’s interesting. I can’t say too much more on it, but I think it could get us over the line on it. It’s a slightly new version, and it’s probably something to do with pushing the community side of what we do a bit more.

“There’s a little way to go but hopefully it’ll be something that boosts the budget and gives us a decent extra income that we can then put around the club, into the playing budget, wherever it’s determined.

“So that’s a positive for the future, we think.”

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Well, I am, and given that I would rather Chester pick up three points on the opening day of the 2026/27 National League North season than the Three Lions lift the World Cup in New Jersey next month, I am probably not the person to get you hyped for the shenanigans in North America over the next month.

But if you want some Chester chat about what Kofi Moore, Dominic McHale and Sam Reed might bring to the table next season for Phil Parkinson’s Blues squad, as well as a look at who might be next through the door at the Deva Stadium, you may have come to the right place.

This week’s edition of The Breakdown focuses on the above and also takes a look at some of the other issues around the club, including the contract status of the three players who have options activated, and we chat a little about what this coming season means for Tom Peers after a challenging 2025/26 campaign in a Chester shirt.

Whether you’re in the car, walking the dog or in the gym, here’s 30 minutes of the week that was at Chester Football Club, and a look and what is to come.

Thank you for supporting The Seal and allowing journalism to return to the Blues at a time when local coverage of football teams is disappearing. Your support means the world.

You can get occasional free public posts by signing up to The Seal, but for the full experience, including news, views, interviews, exclusives, podcasts, videos and around 250 Blues stories a year, plus access to the full archive, consider becoming a paid subscriber for £5 per month.

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While much of the focus has been on the new faces arriving at the Deva Stadium, Chester still have a nucleus of last season’s squad from which to build.

So far, new manager Phil Parkinson has added six players to his squad, with Luke Hewitson, George Burroughs, Jacob Hazel, Kofi Moore, Dominic McHale and Sam Reed all penning deals with the Blues ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Over the next fortnight it is anticipated another two will arrive in the shape of an experienced attacking midfielder and a central defender with bags of potential, while another central defender is set to finalise his deal at the end of the month, with his deal not yet up at his current club.

There will be plenty of intrigue when the season kicks off for Blues fans when it comes to the new squad members, but there will be familiar faces who remain.

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Chester have made their sixth signing of the summer with the addition of talented young winger Kofi Moore from Bamber Bridge.

Moore has signed a one-year deal at the Deva Stadium and follows Luke Hewitson, Sam Reed, Dominic McHale, George Burroughs and Jacob Hazel into the club as boss Phil Parkinson shapes a new era at the football club.

Moore, 21, who plays on the right, had an impressive campaign with Northern Premier League side Bamber Bridge last season, joining the club following his release from Oldham Athletic, the club where he came through the youth system, last summer.

During his time with the Boundary Park outfit he had numerous successful loan spells further down the pyramid with the likes of Nantwich Town, twice; Guiseley, and Workington AFC.

He fits the profile of player that Parkinson has wanted to try and bring, one who he feels he can develop within a structured full-time training model.

“Kofi is a young exciting winger who has come through at Oldham Athletic, he has shown some really strong signs during his time at Bamber Bridge,” said Parkinson, who had Moore on his radar as a summer target having kept tabs on him for the second half of the season.

“He’s a direct, aggressive wide player who wants to get at people in 1v1 situations, make things happen and affect games in the final third.

“During his time in the Northern Premier League he’s shown he can both score and create goals, including picking up Goal of the Month at Bamber Bridge for one of his moments of magic.

“He’s exactly the type of profile we want to recruit here, hungry, fearless and with genuine X-factor qualities. Another creator and goalscorer added to the ranks, something important to us regarding the identity of the team.”

Further additions will be confirmed over the next week, with two centre backs among those set to arrive, while Parkinson will also run the rule over a number of trialists and returning first-year pros from last year when the squad returns for pre-season training at the end of this month.

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Chester have completed the signing of left back Sam Reed from Altrincham.

The 23-year-old links up again with his old manager at Moss Lane, Phil Parkinson, after inking a two-year deal at the Deva Stadium.

Reed becomes the fifth summer signing for Chester boss Parkinson after the additions of Luke Hewitson, George Burroughs, Jacob Hazel and Dominic McHale, and is expected to be joined by more new faces over the next week.

“Sam is a very talented and versatile footballer who adds real quality to the group,” said Parkinson.

“He can play on either side as a full-back, operate in midfield, or play further forward on the wing, which gives us excellent flexibility across a number of positions.

“More importantly, he’s a top football player and very fast. He’s comfortable on the ball, intelligent in his decision-making, and someone who can impact games in a variety of ways. Players with Sam’s technical ability and versatility are difficult to find, so we’re fortunate to have been able to bring him to the football club.

“One thing you’ll notice with a lot of the younger players we’ve brought into the building is a common trait. They all have a real desire and ambition to get back to, or reach, the EFL. Sam is no different. He’s hungry, driven and determined to push his career forward, and that’s exactly the type of mentality we want in the group.

“I believe Sam will be a really important signing for us this season and another player who strengthens the squad both in terms of quality and competition for places.”

Reed made 21 National League appearances for the Robins last season and spent a period of time in 2024/25 on loan at National League North side Scarborough Athletic and National League outfit Boston United while a Sheffield Wednesday player. Reed made one FA Cup appearance during his time with the Owls.

Wednesday signed Reed to their under-21 side in 2023 after he impressed as a young player at Northern Premier League East outfit Brighouse Town, where he made more than 80 appearances across four years.

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Chester have completed the signing of experienced midfielder Dominic McHale on a one-year deal.

The attacking midfielder, 30, becomes Blues boss Phil Parkinson’s fourth summer signing, adding to the acquisitions of Luke Hewitson, Jacob Hazel and George Burroughs.

McHale arrives at the Deva Stadium on the back of a successful campaign with Hednesford Town in the Northern Premier League where he played 31 times and netted 10 times for the Pitmen as they earned promotion to the National League North via the play-offs.

“Dom brings real creative and clinical quality to us in the final third,” said Parkinson.

“He’s the type of player that can create or score a goal in the tighter games when margins are small and moments decide outcomes. He’s got the ability to produce things others can’t.

“As well as his quality on the pitch, Dom now brings strong experience and leadership too, having stepped in as captain at times at Hednesford through multiple promotions. That mentality, character and leadership is another trait we’ve identified as a must at a club like Chester.

“He’s a top player, a top character, and someone I’m sure the supporters will quickly take to.”

McHale has a CV that has taken in plenty of stops having started out at Barnsley in 2014, but has been an experienced campaigner at National League North level in the years before his Hednesford stint through successful spells at Gloucester City, Brackley Town and Scarborough Athletic.

“I’m buzzing to be here,” said McHale, who came through the academy system at Manchester City before joining the Tykes 12 years ago.

“As soon as I spoke to the gaffer it was a no-brainer for me.

“The style of play that the gaffer uses is something that really does suit the way I play.

“I like to think I’m an exciting player. I’ll take players on and when it works it not only looks good but it benefits the team, and I’ll create and score goals which is always the most important thing.”

Further additions are expected to be announced in the coming days with two deals for two centre backs agreed, as well as a left sided defender and a dynamic winger.

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When Phil Parkinson finally took on the role of Chester FC manager he already knew who was going to be his number one.

Parkinson, who began in the job on May 1, had long been the man who the Blues had chosen to be the club’s permanent boss going into the 2026/27 season, making the decision on him soon after it was announced that former boss Calum McIntyre would be leaving his role at the end of the 2025/26 season, a decision that would be expedited.

Former Altrincham manager Parkinson had left his job with the Robins back in October last year but at the end of February took on the position of interim head coach at Fleetwood Town, a job he would hold until the end of the season.

With games on Fridays, Parkinson was able to watch the Blues on a Saturday but also scout for talent elsewhere, knowing that he would be the man who would lead Chester into a new era.

The goalkeeping position at Chester in recent seasons had been one that had been largely taken on by young loanees. The huge success of Harry Tyrer’s loan spell also saw successful stints from Elyh Harrison and Jimmy Storer, while Wyll Stanway a permanent member between the sticks during a successful 2023/24 season for him personally, one that would see him kick on and get a move to the EFL with Barrow, with Chester retaining a significant sell-on clause.

Last season was a mixed bag. Lewys Benjamin would start the season, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, but would be injured after just one game, which means that loanees such as Andrew Wogan came in, followed by George Murray-Jones from Nottingham Forest.

The latter suffered from a loss of confidence and form and would be sent back to Forest, with Bobby Jones coming on loan from Boston United, a deal that would be made permanent until the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

Jones, who was a standout at Curzon Ashton in 2024/25, had some shaky moments but grew in stature and confidence as the season progressed. He wasn’t to be kept on, however, as Parkinson, whose side will play a different style that might require his number one to be better with the ball at his feet, already knew the person he wanted to bring in. They were right at the top of his shopping list as Chester manager, with the Blues boss believing that there is a huge potential in his new goalkeeper.

“I’m delighted to get him in,” said Parkinson, speaking to The Seal.

“He was number two last season behind Jay Lynch and I didn’t realise how young he was as he had a maturity beyond his years, from the way he played to the way he spoke and handled himself away from the pitch.

“He was immersed in the first team setup at Fleetwood and he really impressed me, he has some excellent qualities. He is passionate about the project here at Chester and he really believes he can catapult his career with this move and make a big impact. I believe the same.”

A graduate of Liverpool’s Academy, where he signed professional terms back in 2021, Hewitson spent two years at Fleetwood but made just one senior appearance last season, playing in a Vertu Trophy clash with Bolton Wanderers.

But he arrived with significant pedigree. He had played under-18 Premier League and UEFA Youth League football for the Reds before getting a taste of senior football during a 42-game loan spell with Stalybridge Celtic in 2023/24.

Competition had been fierce for Hewitson’s signature when Fleetwood swooped to sign him in the summer of 2024, and having been part of an EFL first-team setup, as well as taking in loan spells elsewhere in senior football with the likes of Warrington Town, Chester feel they have a player who could be significantly impactful. He is also a player that aligns with what Parkinson and his assistant Neil Sorvel are seeking to implement from a training aspect, which is to develop younger players in a full-time environment with first team football, which eventually could turn into significant transfer fees received for the Blues.

Said Parkinson: “His signing is another that comes from what we’re trying to implement here, which is the training aspect and the chance to develop, but also the fact that this is a massive club.

“This is the reason I really wanted to come here. It is a club that has huge potential and a big fan base. When it gets going it will be a sight to behold, and that was a great selling point for me as a manager, but also for the players we are looking to attract.”

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While just three summer additions might have been publicly confirmed by Chester, Blues boss Phil Parkinson says that the reality is that few slots remain in his squad.

Parkinson, appointed Blues manager at the beginning of May, is building a Chester side with the profile of player that suits his and assistant manager Neil Sorvel’s preferred style of possession-based football, something that served them well during successful spells in the dugout at Nantwich Town and Altrincham.

Through the door already at the Deva Stadium is experienced former Boston United and Darlington striker Jacob Hazel, right back George Burroughs from Oxford City, and goalkeeper Luke Hewitson from Fleetwood Town, the latter arriving on a two-year deal from the EFL League Two side, where he was their second-choice stopper after veteran goalkeeper Jay Lynch.

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The summer transfer season is well in the swing of things and the past weekend saw the latest addition arrive at Chester, with goalkeeper Luke Hewitson arriving on a two-year deal from Fleetwood Town.

Hewitson’s signing follows that of Jacob Hazel and George Burroughs in the past 10 days as the Phil Parkinson era at the Deva Stadium starts to take shape.

There were some farewells, too, with long-serving Iwan Murray exiting the club for pastures new at Connah’s Quay Nomads, while Tom Davies gave his own farewell on social media, and former Blues midfielder Fin Shrimpton found a new home in Cheshire, this time at Macclesfield.

This week’s edition of The Breakdown looks at our newe permanent goalkeeper, assesses why Davies, Murray, Shrimpton, and likely Lewis Leigh, moved on, and what the transfer business will look like in terms of incomings over the next few weeks, as Parkinson builds a squad fit for the style of football that he wants to implement for the 2026/27 season.

Thank you for supporting The Seal and allowing journalism to return to the Blues at a time when local coverage of football teams is disappearing. Your support means the world.

You can get occasional free public posts by signing up to The Seal, but for the full experience, including news, views, interviews, exclusives, podcasts, videos and around 250 Blues stories a year, plus access to the full archive, consider becoming a paid subscriber for £5 per month.

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Iwan Murray has departed Chester after 173 appearances across two spells with the Blues.

The 25-year-old attacking midfielder, a graduate of the club’s academy, was offered a new deal with the Blues under Phil Parkinson, but the Denbigh-based fan favourite has opted to seek pastures new, with a move to the Cymru Premier expected to materialise.

Murray came through the ranks at Chester under the guidance of then academy boss Calum McIntyre to break into the first team in 2018 and make 10 starts before leaving the Deva Stadium to link up with McIntyre in his first senior managerial role at Northern Premier League Division One (West) outfit Runcorn Linnets in 2020.

Sixty five games and 25 goals later he would help lead the Linnets to the play-offs before following McIntyre to Chester after he was appointed boss in 2022.

Murray’s role with the Blues grew into a senior one and he became an important attacking cog for Chester during his four-year spell, with the high watermark of his time at the Deva being his opener in the 2-0 play-off eliminator win over Buxton in the summer of 2025, a game that marked Chester’s first play-off win as a reformed club.

Murray said: “I just want to say thank you to all the Chester fans for their support during my time at the club.

“I’ve loved every minute and I’m so proud to have made 173 appearances after coming through the youth team, but I’ve decided it’s time for a new challenge.

“Thanks to all the staff and volunteers and especially the players that I’ve been able to play with. Wishing everyone at the club all the best for the future and thank you for the amazing memories.”

Murray has been a popular figure on and off the pitch at Chester but was unable to make an impact down the final stretch of the season last campaign under interim boss Connell Rawlinson, who led the Blues to a seventh-placed finish and a play-off berth, due to injury.

Parkinson had been keen to see Murray remain as part of the group but a chance to open a new chapter elsewhere has proven appealing, with Connah’s Quay Nomads likely to be a strong suitor for his services.

Chester vice-chairman Jim Green said: “Iwan has been an outstanding servant to the club, and Chester has been a huge part of his life for the past decade, across two spells.

“On a personal level, I have taken great pride in watching him develop and mature, both as a player and a person. He has approached every day with professionalism and positivity, and has been an excellent role model for our football club.

“It’s the right time for Iwan to move on to his next challenge. He leaves us with some special memories across more than 170 appearances and we wish every success for his future.”

Chester’s attention now turns to who arrives and joins Jacob Hazel and George Burroughs as summer additions. Deals for a permanent goalkeeper, two centre backs, an experienced central midfielder and a dynamic winger are all understood to be all but done, but some deals can only be announced when player contracts expire, with others away on holiday.

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While the Boost The Budget initiative for 2026/27 was launched in earnest on Wednesday, Chester fans might have to wait a little while longer for another flurry of transfer activity.

Last week saw the first two additions of the Phil Parkinson era arrive at the Deva Stadium, with experienced striker Jacob Hazel signing on an initial one-year deal following his exit from National League outfit Boston United, and tall right back George Burroughs joining on a similar deal from Oxford City.

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Chester have completed the signing of defender George Burroughs from Oxford City on an initial one-year deal.

The 23-year-old, who can operate at both centre back and right back, played 40 times for the Hoops in the National League North last season after joining in the summer of 2025 following a successful trial. He has been brought in with the right back slot in mind.

A former Scotland under-17 international, the 6ft 2ins defender is no stranger to Blues boss Phil Parkinson having worked under him during a spell at Altrincham, also taking in stops at AFC Telford United and Redditch before landing at Oxford.

Burroughs was an impressive performer for Ross Jenkins’s side last season and he fits the age and profile that Parkinson seeks to bring to the club, with Chester set to be a bigger team physically in the coming season.

Parkinson said: “George joins us at right back with a good physical profile as an athletic and aggressive defender.

“He is someone who fits the way we want to play both in and out of possession.”

Burroughs, who came through the academy system at Coventry City, becomes the second signing of the summer for Parkinson, following on from the acquisition of experienced former Boston United and Darlington striker Jacob Hazel on Friday.

“I am very happy to be here and I can’t wait to play in front of such a big fanbase,” Burroughs said.

“I’m looking forward to playing for the gaffer again, I think the way I play suits the system he wants to play.”

Chester could confirm as many as three new signings in the next week or so as the recruitment drive gathers pace, with the Blues’ Boost the Budget initiative kicking off on Monday.

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Chester have completed their first signing of the summer after snapping up striker Jacob Hazel following his release from Boston United.

Hazel, 32, has penned an initial one-year deal with the Blues and becomes new manager Phil Parkinson’s first signing, with the Chester boss believing that the player can deliver the goals that were lacking last season.

The St Kitts & Nevis international, a traditional number nine, has been a prolific goal-getter across his career that has taken in successful spells at clubs including Scarborough Athletic, Frickley Athletic, Darlington and Boston, having started his career with Chesterfield in 2012.

Parkinson said: “Jacob comes in as a striker with a strong goalscoring record at National League North level and above.

“He is powerful, aggressive, quick, and gives us a real attacking threat.”

Hazel’s time at Frickley saw him plunder 88 goals in 115 before a move to Whitby Town yielded 31 goals in 50 games, prompting Darlington to make a move for him in 2022.

His time at Blackwell Meadows delivered another successful stint in front of goal with the striker bagging 21 goals in 62 games before Boston stepped in to snap him up for an undisclosed fee in 2023.

He helped spearhead Boston’s promotion to the National League and netted 21 goals in 73 games for the Pilgrims, although he missed almost the entirety of the 2025/26 campaign after suffering a serious knee injury on the final game of the 2024/25 season in a clash at Gateshead.

Such was the high regard Hazel was held in at Boston, the club honored the extension he had been offered before his injury and offered him a year with the option of a second.

Hazel, a hugely popular figure at the Jakemans Stadium with Pilgrims fans, battled his way back to fitness last season to contribute in the final weeks of the season, playing five times in the National League and scoring twice

“I’m absolutely delighted to be here,” said Hazel.

“I’m hard-working, physical and aggressive. I’ve come here for goals, whether that’s scoring or assisting, and to be a big voice on the pitch.”

Hazel, who netted 16 goals for Boston in their first season back in the National League in 2024/25, is the first piece of the puzzle for new boss Parkinson, although a flurry of transfer activity is expected at the Deva Stadium over the course of the next week, with as many as four other deals potentially getting over the line as the club’s Boost The Budget initiative kicks off in earnest on Monday.

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Wednesday evening brought the disappointing news that Dylan Mottley-Henry, Chester’s leading scorer last season, had opted to explore other options and turned down a new deal at the Blues, following another popular player, Fin Shrimpton, out of the Deva exit.

The Seal spoke to Chester manager Phil Parkinson earlier in the week for an update on recruitment and where we sit in terms of new players coming in and any contract extensions, and he gave some encouraging news.

Chester are on the cusp of a number of new signings, with a flurry of activity expected when the club’s Boost The Budget initiative for 2026/26 kicks off in earnest next week.

We discuss the potential new additions on this week’s edition of The Breakdown, and we also have a look at the state of play with the players from last season that Chester have offered deals to, those being Jack Bainbridge, Tom Davies, Lewis Leigh and Iwan Murray.

All that and much more can be found in this week’s episode as the Parkinson era at Chester gets well underway.

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Dylan Mottley-Henry has left Chester in order to pursue new opportunities.

The 28-year-old forward was a revelation for the Blues last season, particularly in the latter months of the season, after being recast from a winger into a central striker.

The former Bradford City, Barnsley and Tranmere Rovers man was a huge hit with the Deva Stadium faithful last season, ending the season with 12 goals in 44 National League North games, his season coming to a close as he limped off with injury in the play-off eliminator defeat at Macclesfield.

His form had seen him pick up the CFU Men’s Player of the Year, Away Travel Player of the Year, and Gary Talbot Golden Boot awards at the Blues’ end-of-season awards dinner last month, and there was hope in the Chester camp that Mottley-Henry would commit to another season.

New Chester manager Phil Parkinson had taken a watching brief for the final games of the Blues’ season, when they made a remarkable late charge for a play-off spot, and he had been impressed with what he had seen and been keen to keep the forward as part of his plans for the 2026/27 campaign.

But despite being offered improved terms by the Blues, who are to add another day to their training schedule heading into next season, Mottley-Henry, who is training to be an electrician, has opted to make the move away and find a new club for the new season.

His decision will undoubtedly come as a blow to many Chester fans, such was his popularity and what he brought to the team, but the next week is likely to see a number of arrivals through the door as the Parkinson era begins to take shape, with one of those additions being a striker who the new Blues boss believes can deliver the goals that Chester lacked last season.

A club statement read: “Chester FC can confirm that Dylan Mottley-Henry will depart the club this summer.

“Dylan was offered improved terms by the club ahead of next season but has decided to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

“Everyone at Chester Football Club would like to thank Dylan for his contribution to the football club and wish him all the best for the future.”

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Chester are in the process of finalising a number of deals for new signings as the Phil Parkinson era at the Deva Stadium continues to take shape.

Having taken over as first team manager of the Blues at the start of the month, with his trusted sidekick of Neil Sorvel joining him as assistant manager, the former Altrincham boss has wasted precious little time in shaping what the Blues will look like next season.

As well as having conversations with players from last season around who goes and who might stay, Parkinson has also been fleshing out what the training model looks like for the new campaign, with Chester moving towards a full-time model in terms of the contact time that the coaching staff have with the players, with an extra day added to the schedule on a Monday.

Crucially, Parkinson has also been hard at work on tracking new additions for the Blues as he pieces together a new-look side that will be well balanced for the way he wants his team to play football next season.

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Jack Bainbridge expects to be a Chester player next season.

The 27-year-old midfielder is out of contract this summer but an option exists on the deal and both parties are wanting to see it extended into the 2026/27 National League North season.

Bainbridge, a 2024 summer arrival from Marine, has been an important part of the Blues over the last two seasons, although injury last season hampered his progress from what was an excellent first season where the club made the play-off final, defeated in extra time by Scunthorpe United.

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The Seal sat down with the new Blues boss earlier this week to discuss what 2026/27 and beyond would look like, and the early impressions were most certainly good. It will be a summer of intrigue

and excitement for the club, one with considerable changes being undertaken.

In this episode of The Breakdown we discuss the first couple of weeks of Parkinson’s tenure. He’s already looked to hit the ground running when it comes to piecing together a squad he feels will be capable of challenging for promotion from the National League North next season.

There is a state of play with regards to some of the contracts out, most notably that of Tom Davies, while we look at the profile of some of the players who might fit a Parkinson system and Chester wage structure.

There’s a word on what is next for former interim boss Connell Rawlinson, while we also take a look at what the pre-season schedule could deliver.

Thank you for supporting The Seal and allowing journalism to return to the Blues at a time when local coverage of football teams is disappearing. Your support means the world.

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Phil Parkinson knows what it takes to transition a football team from part-time to full-time.

At Altrincham, the 45-year-old had overseen the Robins’ rise from the Northern Premier League to the National League across an eight-year spell, a period when the club made the move to a full-time setup that Parkinson felt was crucial to the club’s ability to compete at a higher level.

The new Chester boss, a week into his new role alongside assistant manager Neil Sorvel, wants to bring what worked at Moss Lane to the Deva Stadium, although he acknowledges that it is something that will take time.

Chester operate a ‘hybrid’ model. They train days twice in the week at the King George V Sports Hub in Blacon, and they pay 44-week contracts instead of 52-week contracts. For the coming season, the latter part of that model will remain, as the budget does not presently allow for the club to go beyond that if they are to be able to secure the calibre of players required.

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