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
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Manchester City finally release special Year of the Horse collection for Lunar celebrations
Danny Jones
Manchester City have officially launched their new ‘Year of the Horse’ kit, along with several other items in their latest lifestyle range.
The collection, which has been released as part of the Lunar New Year Celebrations, was leaked online in late 2025 before being officially teased earlier this year, but now Man City have fully unveiled the limited edition clothing items.
It follows the commercial success of their previous Chinese New Year-inspired kits and wider fashion lines over the last few seasons.
For anyone not up to speed on their Zodiac calendar knowledge, 2026 is officially (you guessed it) the year of the horse, hence this choice for the new ‘Capsule Collection’.
“Set in earthy, neutral tones, the limited-edition Year of the Horse Capsule Collection captures both the stillness of vintage Chinese portraiture and the motion of a team in full stride.”
Revolving around a grey and almost beige colour palette, the full drop includes a new pre-match ‘Anthem’ jacket, a dark graphic design tee, a baseball cap, as well as a soft horse plushie.
The focal point, however, is obviously the jersey itself – though it remains to be confirmed whether or not the special seasonal strip will be worn in any games this campaign as other one-off/special limited edition shirts have been in the past.
The price points range from £15 for the soft toy to £90 for the adult shirt, with the aforementioned Puma KING Anthem zip-up jacket already available in six colours.
What do you make of the latest lifestyle collection, Blues?
Somewhat fittingly, the Year of the Horse and other items finally debuted on the same day that their local rivals across the other side of town, Manchester United, released some new threads of their own: the second Adidas x The Stone Roses collection.
As for this years Lunar celebrations, the official plans for here in Manchester city centre have now been revealed. You can find out more down below.
Stockport County confirm signing of new striker Adama Sidibeh
Danny Jones
Stockport County Football Club have officially unveiled the signing of new striker, Adama Sidibeh, from St Johnstone FC.
This comes after weeks of uncertainty over whether or not the deal for the forward was going to be done, despite his medical having already been passed.
Sidibeh was linked with a move from the Scottish Premiership quite early in the January transfer window, and the transfer fee had already reportedly been agreed, but there was apparently to be some contention over personal terms.
However, it seems the impasse has now been overcome and a full agreement reached, with the Hatters finally announcing the completion of his deal on Tuesday, 27 January.
As you can see, the Gambian international is no stranger to England nor the North West, having moved back to the UK to be with his family in 2022, before going on to join local Stockport club Cheadle Heath Nomads in 2022.
Moving on to nearby Cheshire outfit Warrington Rylands FC the following season, he continued to prove himself as a quick and consistent goal threat, ultimately sealing a switch to The Saints in 2024.
Sidibeh’s transfer fee from St Johnstone to SCFC remains undisclosed.
Penning a two-and-a-half-year contract, the latest County recruit is the third signing of the January transfer window so far, following the most recent arrival of Josh Dacres-Cogley from Bolton Wanderers earlier this month.
Having been given the number 26, he is the latest offensive reinforcement at Edgeley Park as they look to enjoy a fairly ‘aggressive’ window, as promised.
Speaking on his new home in a club statement, the 27-year-old said: “I’m so excited to be [sitting] here now as a Stockport County player.
“It’s a town and a club I already know so well from my time at Nomads, which made it an easy decision for me and my family to come here once we heard that County were interested.
“I can’t wait to get going now, to start my career in the Football League and to play in front of 10,000 fans at Edgeley Park. I’ve worked very hard to get to this place in my career since moving to England, and will work even harder now I’m here to help the team as we go for promotion.”
As for his new manager, Dave Challinor made it clear they were keen to capitalise on his contract running out, adding that apart from being a bit of a late bloomer in pro football, “he’s a real hard worker that provides real intensity in his press. and really wants to threaten defenders both in and out of possession.”
“He’s scored all types of goals at every level he’s played at, but this will, without doubt, be a step up for him” – it just remains to be seen how he’ll take to the League One and wider EFL challenge.
Danny Jones -
17th July 2024 
