Chester defender Kevin Roberts to retire

Veteran Blues defender is to take up physio role with an EFL club in March

Kevin Roberts is to retire from football (TOM GREEN)

Chester have confirmed that defender Kevin Roberts is to retire from professional football.

The 36-year-old right back is calling time on a career that has spanned 20 years in the professional game in order to take up a position as a physiotherapist at an EFL side, with his retirement coming following the game with Darlington on March 7.

Roberts, who sits third on the Blues all-time appearance list as a reformed club, has featured 235 times across all competitions, and made 115 for Chester City between 2006 and 2010 after coming through the club’s academy.

He went on to have a career that took in spells at Cambridge United, FC Halifax Town and Wrexham before former Chester bosses Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley brought him back to the Deva Stadium in 2019, where he became an integral part of the squad under their regime and the tenures that followed of Steve Watson and Calum McIntyre.

Chester boss McIntyre said: “Kev is calling time on an absolutely fantastic career. To have achieved what he has achieved across the clubs he has played for is a testament to his qualities both on and off the pitch.

“He is one of a handful of players that have represented both Chester City and Chester FC, made all the more special given his progression through the Youth Team at Chester City.

“It is no surprise he has had the opportunity to move into a full-time role in the Football League. I thank him massively for his contributions both on and off the pitch and wish him every success in his new role.”

Roberts had been assisting with physiotherapist duties during his current role with the Blues and has been afforded the chance to make it a permanent affair elsewhere.