Welcome to Chester FC, George Murray-Jones!
Chester FC are delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper George Murray-Jones from Nottingham Forest on a loan deal until January 2026!
The shot-stopper brings great pedigree at youth team level to the Deva Stadium.
Following stints at Southend United and Manchester City, he made the move to Forest in the summer of 2024.
Murray-Jones left Southend for the Etihad Stadium in July 2021 at the age of just 16, before making 30 appearances in Sky Blue at Under-18 level and over 10 at Under-21 level.
The ‘keeper picked up a fair share of silverware during his time at City, with U21 Premier League and U18 English Youth League medals to his name.
Forest signed the 20-year-old on a three-year-deal last summer with an option to extend by a further year.
His first taste of senior football came at Broadhurst Park with a loan spell at NPL Premier Division outfit FC United of Manchester.
George’s arrival follows the conclusion of Andrew Wogan’s emergency loan spell from Stockport County.
Wogan made four appearances for the club, joining on a temporary basis after Lewys Benjamin sustained an injury on the opening day of the season.
Andrew is now due to link up with the Republic of Ireland U21 side for international duty.
Everyone at Chester FC would like to extend our thanks to Andy and Stockport County Football Club for their assistance over the past fortnight.
Blues boss Calum McIntyre spoke after getting the deal for George over the line: “Firstly, I am well aware of what our Goalkeeping situation can look like without knowing and understanding the full facts,” said Cal.
“I entirely understand our supporters’ frustration of seeing a further change between the goalposts. As a club, the loan market has been immensely beneficial for us in the goalkeeping department. Two of the three loan goalkeepers we have had have gone on to play in the EFL with another securing another loan in Scotland. Our only consistent permanent goalkeeper was outstanding and quite rightly earned a transfer to the EFL for an undisclosed fee.
“Losing a goalkeeper to an injury after just one game is unfortunate but could’ve happened whether they were a loan or a permanent signing. Our two other summer targets in terms of goalkeepers were no longer available which meant we had to act swiftly to arrange short term cover. We are extremely grateful to Andy Wogan and Stockport County for facilitating his emergency loan. This could not carry on beyond this weekend due to Andy’s international commitments.
“We have been working really hard behind the scenes for a solution and that work has garnered fruit by securing George. He has strong pedigree at both Manchester City and Nottingham Forest and comes to us at a perfect age. He has had a small taste of senior football and this is the next step in his development. We are grateful to Nottingham Forest for trusting us with George. We like him a lot, he is a well-rounded goalkeeper known for his bravery and his ability to make big saves.
“I can’t stress enough the importance of the loan market to a club like us, particularly with goalkeepers. It’s important these players are judged on what they do on the pitch for Chester FC and not based on the club they come from or players that have been on loan with us previously.
“As staff, we are as frustrated as anyone about things outside of our control that have not played out the way we wanted to. Rest assured, just as we have done every single day for the past 39 months, we are working tirelessly to do what we believe is best for this football club to get it where our supporters deserve it to be.”
Welcome to CH1, George!