Barrow AFC defender James Chester signs contract extension

The former Premier League and international defender joined the Bluebirds on the final day of the summer transfer window, signing a deal up until January.

Having gone on to make 19 appearances so far this term, and having formed a solid partnership with the likes of  Niall Canavan and George Ray, the ex-Manchester United and Aston Villa star is delighted to have penned a new deal.

He told the club's official website: “It’s been great, I think the lads and the staff first and foremost having spent time with them every day has been really enjoyable, and it’s been time well spent.

“Certainly, from my point of view signing was something that was going to be inevitable once the club spoke to me about extending.

“For myself, it was something I wanted to do, and I think for my family too, they’ve been enjoying coming and watching me play again, and with my children being the age of which they are, they are starting to remember and understand what’s going on so it’s nice all round.”

The former Wales international was quick to praise his team-mates, and says they, and the atmosphere around the club were big factors.

He added : “It's been going quite well so far, Naz [Canavan] and George [Ray] have had really good careers themselves and they’ve both got a lot of experience and along with myself and Farms [Paul Farman] it governors itself almost and I’ve enjoyed playing alongside them, they make the game a lot easier for me.

“I think that when your career’s finished it’s one of the things that you’ll miss the most, the playing in front of crowds is amazing, but spending time with the people who become your friends every day and the things that you do away from football is that stuff that you’ll also remember.

 “Here there’s always something going on to look forward to, whether that is the game on Saturday or the cards on the bus on Friday, or some darts in the morning before training, it’s a really good feel around the place at the moment.”