BREAKING | Burke and Marsh-Hughes sign new deals at Chester FC
We are pleased to announce that exciting Academy graduates Harrison Burke and Lloyd Marsh-Hughes have signed new deals with the Club.
Burke, 18, and Marsh-Hughes, 19, have both put pen to paper at the Deva Stadium to keep them with the Blues for the 2021/22 campaign.
Central defender Harrison hails from Dodleston and signed his first senior deal with Chester FC in October 2020. The 18-year-old made one substitute appearance this term.
He caught the eye as Captain of the Youth Team, and also on his first team debut in the Cheshire Senior Cup victory over Tranmere Rovers in March last year, putting in a Man of the Match performance and helping to keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 win against an experienced side.
Speaking on the news, Joint Manager Anthony Johnson said: “It’s been a pleasure for all of us to work with Harrison this season.
“His performances in the FA Youth Cup for the youth team were exceptional this season and he’s took those performances with him into the first team environment.
“Although he’s only had one appearance in senior football so far, we feel next season will be one where he takes his game to the next level.”
Lloyd, a striker, made four substitute appearances for the Blues before the season was curtailed – and has played 21 times for the club after progressing through the Academy.
He scored his first senior goal aged just 16 in a pre-season friendly in the summer of 2017 at Bala Town. A powerful and pacy striker, Lloyd then went on to make his first senior start in the home game against Curzon Ashton in January 2019 in the National League North.
On Marsh-Hughes putting pen to paper, Jonno said: “This season is so important for young Lloyd. He was a player we’d heard about even before we’d took the job and subsequently was asked to train with us from the first day of pre-season back in 2018.
“Since then he’s had a really tough couple of seasons with injuries that kept setting him back, even after going out on loan to Marine and looking the real deal he then picked up another injury.
“But over the last few months there’s been a real desire in his performances in training and off the bench. He now looks ready to take the world on.
“We’re always careful not to put too much pressure on a young player but, genuinely, this lad has got every single tool you need to succeed at the top level.
“We’re absolutely convinced the 20/21 season will be his breakout season.”
Congratulations and great to have you staying on board, Harrison and Lloyd!