Message to the fans – January Transfer Window

Chester Football Club are happy to keep all fans and CFU members informed regarding conversations during the course of the January Transfer Window.

We can confirm that we rejected a significant offer from a Championship club for the services of Sam Hughes, amidst interest from elsewhere.

We also rejected an offer from a League Two club for top scorer James Alabi.

CEO Mark Maguire said: “It is important we protect Chester Football Club in standing by our valuations of players, and from as far back as October, we had put in place all of the information required to make an informed decision on any bids that we received.

“We are delighted to have kept the squad together for the rest of the season, and have to give great credit to Sam Hughes and his family – and also James Alabi – whose attitudes have been exemplary throughout this process.

“It is important to acknowledge that part of the progression of the football club over the coming years will be that, as Jon McCarthy successfully develops individuals, they will go to a higher level and the club will have to accept offers which meet their valuation in order to reinvest and work towards a budget which will give us the best chance of getting back into the Football League.

“This is a strategy which everybody at the club – including Jon – are fully on board with, but what is most important is the emphasis on protecting the interests of the football club.

“It is a fantastic compliment to the progress of our Youth Department that we now have clubs from the Championship and Premier League regularly watching our young players.

“With the brilliant support of the Blues fans and the excellent environment within the club this is the perfect place for young players to develop and succeed.”