Chester move to land experienced Billy Waters after Oldham Athletic exit

Waters brings a wealth of EFL and National League experience to the Deva

Billy Waters has signed for Chester (AMELIA JOHNSON)

Chester have signed experienced attacking midfielder Billy Waters on a two-year deal.

The 31-year-old becomes the ninth summer signing for Chester boss Phil Parkinson, following the arrivals of Luke Hewitson, George Burroughs, Sam Reed, Jack Kenny, Dominic McHale, Jefferson Abreu, Kofi Moore and Jacob Hazel, with Waters joining after leaving League Two side Oldham Athletic.

Waters, who can play in the number ten role, has a wealth of at both EFL and National League level having graduated from the academy at Crewe Alexandre before spells at Cheltenham Town, Northampton Town, Barrow, Cambridge United, Torquay United, Wrexham Oldham and Doncaster Rovers.

With 355 professional games and 76 goals under his belt, Waters has been brought in to provide both quality and experience to what is a younger group for the Blues this season, with this being his first spell below the National League in his career.

Chester boss Parkinson said: “Billy joins us with a wealth of experience having played for clubs including Oldham Athletic, Cheltenham Town and Crewe Alexandra, alongside a number of other successful spells elsewhere in the game. Wherever Billy has been, he’s found a way to make an impact.

“What excited us most wasn’t just his goalscoring record, but the experience and know-how he brings. He’s been around successful dressing rooms, understands what it takes to compete at the top end of leagues and has genuine experience of promotion campaigns. Those qualities are invaluable over the course of a season.

“To be able to bring a player of Billy’s calibre and pedigree to Chester is a real coup for the football club. He adds quality, leadership, character, and another proven goal threat to the group.”

Having left Crewe in 2015 after 30 appearances, Waters enjoyed a successful two years at Cheltenham, helping the Robins to promotion to the EFL, scoring 11 goals in 37 league games, before following that up with 12 goals in 46 games for the club in League Two in 2016/17. Waters picked up Cheltenham Player of the Year for that particular season.

A more challenging three seasons came after a move to Northampton, but a number of successful loan spells eventually saw him find a permanent home at Torquay for a season, before a switch to Halifax, where he hit 17 league goals in the National League in 2021/22.

Nine goals and an impressive campaign the following season for Barrow in League Two followed, with a short-lived spell at Wrexham under a different Phil Parkinson arriving in 2022.

He would spend three seasons at the Racecourse but feature just eight times in all competitions until his exit in January 2025, instead loaned out to clubs including Doncaster and Halifax, with a permanent switch to Oldham following, where he helped the Latics to promotion to the EFL via the National League play-offs in 2025. Last season was spent with very brief loan spells at Altrincham and again at Halifax, and his move to Chester signals a stop at a club where he is expected to be a first-team regular and an impactful member of the senior squad over the next two seasons.

“When I heard of the interest I knew it was the right fit,” said Waters.

“The way the gaffer wants to play suits the way I play.

“I’m keen to show what I can do at this massive club.”

Chester are expected to finalise a deal for a centre back from an EFL club before the end of the month, while the potential for another central midfield option exists after the decision of Lewis Leigh to turn down a new deal at the Deva Community Stadium and join relegated National League North new boys Morecambe.