Salford City FC have announced another new signing ahead of the 2024/25 season, as former Wales international and EFL veteran James Chester joins the League Two side on a free transfer.
With nearly 500 appearances to his name over the course of 17 years at a dozen different clubs, James Chester is a real journeyman of English football, having first come through the Manchester United academy before enjoying his longest spells at the likes of Hull City and Aston Villa.
The Warrington-born defender, who also had 35 caps for Wales and played his part in them reaching the quarter-finals at Euro 2016, was most recently playing at Barrow AFC but is now set to join fellow third-division side Salford as they look to finally mount a more promising promotion campaign.
Signing a one-year deal with the Ammies on Wednesday, 17 July, Chester is their seventh signing of the summer transfer window thus far. They’re not messing about.
Salford City announces the signing of ex-Wales centre-back James Chester on a one-year deal! 🤝
Having spent time in the Premier League at both West Bromwich and Aston Villa, the lattermost he helped gain promotion back to the top flight back in the 2019 Championship playoff final, the centre-back brings real experience to the Greater Manchester team.
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The local club, co-owned by the Class of ’92, have plateaued in recent years after climbing out of the National League and somewhat losing their momentum following an albeit impressive three promotions in four years. They finished 23/24 in 20th place after flirting with relegation for much of the season.
With that in mind, even at 35, shoring up the defence with a player of his ilk who helped the Cumbrians to 12 clean sheets last season could prove big for the local outfit.
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Commenting on the move, Chester told club media: “I look back on the games that I have played in, and I think that if you had told me before I started my career, I would never have believed you and I would have snapped your hands off there and then.
You can watch James Chester in his first full interview as a Salford City player down here.
“There is a lot to choose from, but I think the Euros on the whole for Wales was a huge highlight, to be involved in that was very very special. But I think to have played for, and to represent the clubs that I have done, and to have had the career that I have, I find myself very fortunate and very proud it is continuing.”
Chester went on to add: “I still have a desire to play and win, so hopefully the supporters will see that from me. I was out in Dublin with the squad last week and it is a really good group to be around, and there are a lot of young players here too, so hopefully I can help them and bring them along as well…
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“I still have the desire to carry it on and take it further, and all the Salford fans will see that.”
Given the local connection to CEO Nicky Butt and the rest of the Man United legends that still remain influential around Peninsula Stadium, he’s sure to be a valuable senior presence in and around the dressing room.
Featured Images — Steindy (via Wikimedia Commons)/Salford City
Sport
Kyle Walker announces retirement from international football with England at 35
Danny Jones
Former Manchester City star and England defender has announced his retirement from international football at 35 years old.
He calls it a day for his country with nearly a century of appearances.
Kyle Walker, who has won six Premier Leagues, four Carabao trophies, a pair of FA Cups and a Champions League title with Man City, made his national team debut back in 2011.
Now, nearly a full decade and a half later, he is hanging up his boots on the biggest stage, retiring as England’s most capped right back in history.
As you can see, he confirmed the news in a highlight video looking back on her best moments with the Three Lions.
Sharing a lengthy and emotional statement in the caption, the Yorkshireman wrote: “After more than a decade representing my country, I have decided to retire from international football. Playing for England has always been the biggest honour of my career and something I will always be proud of.
“Thank you to every teammate, coach, manager, the 12th man, and everyone behind the scenes who has been part of the journey. Every roar from the fans pushed the team along, and I’m looking forward to joining them to support the lads in the World Cup.”
His last appearance in an England shirt came in June against Senegal, since dropping out of manager Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice team and future plans, with both form and age no doubt being factored into that decision.
Walker added: “The memories in an England shirt will stay with me forever.”
96 caps 🧢 Five major tournaments 🏴 A #ThreeLions legend ⭐
He went on to sign off by saying, “I also want to thank my family for their support every step of the way. They have made this journey even more special, and I will always be grateful to have shared it with them.”
The Sheffield-born fullback left Manchester last year following a loan spell at AC Milan, before joining fellow Premier League side Burnley FC permanently this past July.
Meanwhile, the Clarets are staring down relegation back to the Championship; however, this step will no doubt help Walker prolong his club career, whether or not he stays in Lancashire.
Where does Walker rank among the all-time England defenders in your mind?
Featured Images — Oleg Bkhambri (via Wikimedia Commons)/England (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Wigan Warriors’ Bevan French out for around four months with major muscle injury
Danny Jones
Wigan Warriors player Bevan French has unfortunately been ruled out for roughly four months following a fairly serious muscle injury.
An important playmaker and cog in the wider team, his absence will surely be felt.
French, 30, is said to have suffered a hamstring tear during the win over Toulouse Olympique this past weekend, and while not as severe as a full rupture, Bevan has now been told by the club he will be sidelined for approximately 16 weeks, according to head coach Matt Peet.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after learning the news, he provided a number of updates from the physio room, including the latest on Jai Field, who French had been filling in for at fullback.
While Wigan are currently leading the Super League once again, they will be without one of their key Warriors with just under a dozen games left in the season.
The Greater Manchester club’s quadruple-winning boss and former Coach of the Year admitted that, despite some obvious disappointments in the immediate aftermath, his “positive” and “philosophical” attitude has already kicked in.
He’s quite philosophical, Bevan. He quickly flips a switch.
“Now he knows the timeframe and the schedule for his recovery, like most professionals, he can get his head down now and focus on the present”, said the 41-year-old.
The Australian stand-off/fly-half has regularly run the show in red and white, and even amid periods out of the squad, he remains an understandable fan favourite and integral part of the team when fit.
You only need to hear pundits and peers alike describing him as a “special” talent to know how much of a big miss he’ll be.
As mentioned, Peet also shed more light on Field, who dropped out with appendicitis last week and is himself set for around four to five weeks away.
For now, youngster Noah Hodkinson is being given the chance to fill the void and work his way into the first team after regularly impressing in the reserves.
Nevertheless, they could have really done with him ahead of their upcoming games.
Domestically, all three of Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and St Helens aren’t far behind them in the table, so it could prove to be a tasty remainder of the 2026 campaign.
You can watch the highlights from the result against Toulouse on Saturday, 7 March, here.
Danny Jones -
17th July 2024 
