Kevin Roberts sets date for Retirement

Chester FC can confirm that Kevin Roberts will retire from football following our game against Darlington on Saturday 7th March, as he takes up a full-time physiotherapist role at an EFL club.

Kev currently sits third in our all-time appearances list since reformation, featuring on 235 occasions, and has been a true asset both on and off the pitch over the past six and a half years.

The 36-year-old completed his Physiotherapy degree at the University of Salford in 2022 and has spent the last four seasons working within our medical department alongside his playing duties.

Roberts returned to the club in the summer of 2019, almost a decade after his departure from Chester City, where his hugely successful career began.

“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.”

Kev has notched up more than 600 appearances in his distinguished career, winning the FA Trophy on two separate occasions with Cambridge United and FC Halifax Town, as well as winning promotion through the Play-Offs with both clubs.

Following the conclusion of the Darlington match at the Deva Stadium, Kev will hang up his boots and begin his first full-time role in the EFL.

Manager Calum 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.

“As a manager, he has been incredible to work with. An outstanding professional who has been an enormous part of our dressing room in recent years. As a young manager taking on the reigns of a big club, what you get from your senior players is massive and I couldn’t have asked for any more from Kev for what he has brought to the table for me as a manager.

“People may not be aware of his dual role, but he is an outstanding Physiotherapist in his own right. The improvement in our injury record year on year is testament to his, along with Luke Davies’ work. From an off-pitch point of view, this is a massive loss. The medical team have won us points over recent years, making massive changes that have improved everything we do significantly. 

“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 on and off the pitch and wish him every success in his new role.”