Connell signs Player/Coach deal for 2025/26!
Chester FC are delighted to announce that Connell Rawlinson has penned a new contract with the club!
Connell’s new deal will see the 33-year-old take on a Player/Coach role for the 2025/26 campaign.
Rawlinson returned to his hometown club last summer. A product of the Chester City Academy, he made 38 appearances last term and scored two goals.
Connell said: I’m really pleased to get things sorted and finalised for next season.
“Firstly I’d like to thank the Gaffer for entrusting me with the opportunity to step into a coaching role alongside playing next year.
“As anyone in football knows you need people to give you your opportunities in this business and the Gaffer has done that for me and I’m really grateful for that.
“It’s something that I have planned and wanted to do from early on in my career.
“All I’ve ever known is football and over a 16-year career so far, I’ve had the privilege of working with some very talented coaches and managers over that period.
“I’ve listened, learned and absorbed so much information over the years and I feel that this has put me in good stead for this next step in my career.
“It’s always been a natural progression for me to step into a coaching role at some point and this will allow me to do that and also be able to play and scratch that itch when it comes up.
“By no means am I finished playing and the squad will be small but full of quality next season. It will be my job to push the lads who play in my position to be at their very best because if they drop the ball I’ll be there to pick it up and that’s what keeps a squad competitive and hungry.
“I’m looking forward to this new Challenge and excited to go one step further this season and gain the promotion this football club and its fans truly deserve.”
Manager Calum McIntyre added: “The transition to a coaching role is something Connell and I have spoken about for the last 12 months.”
“When I brought Connell on board, it was always something that we would look to do and I feel Connell has a skillset that will make him a very, very successful coach. Firstly, he is a really strong communicator and holds the attention and respect of the group but more importantly his detail is excellent and he will add a lot to the coaching department.
“This is something that has been in the pipeline for some time and naturally it poses questions.
“Connell has brought a lot to our environment, on and off the pitch and all of that will continue. His quality and performance levels have spoken for themselves but the role he plays behind the scenes will go unseen on the outside. He drives standards, promotes a winning culture and is a vital cog in the dressing room.
“He will continue to remain registered as a player alongside his coaching responsibilities. He still has a lot to offer as a player but he will have new duties around the work we do in preparing the group during the week.
“We have to keep looking to improve as a club in everything we do because that is what we are trying to do on the pitch. The introduction of Neil Ebbrell two years ago has shown how we can develop the coaching department and I am sure this will produce similar results.
“To maintain our standards and then improve them, we can never allow ourselves to become stale and this is a part of the process to ensure we remain fresh and keep evolving as a coaching team.”
Great to have you staying, Connell!