JOHNSON HAILS HIS DOUBLE ACT
ANTHONY JOHNSON says Chester have ticked off two targets from their summer hitlist by signing Simon Grand and George Green.
Johnson and joint-boss Bernard Morley have been busy rebuilding the Blues’ squad following the club’s relegation into the National League North.
It’s a league the management duo know all about having won the title with Salford City last season before being let go less than a fortnight after the promotion party.
Both Grand and Green played for the duo at the Ammies two seasons ago and Johnson couldn’t be happier to have them.
“We had them both at the same time when we finished fourth in the National League North,” he told The NLP.
“We chased George for a couple of years when he left Everton and went to Ossett but he ended up going to Burnley.
“Both have been on our target list since we came into the club and to get them both done twoand-a-half weeks before the season starts gives us a good chance of bedding them in with the rest of the lads.”
Defender Grand has won promotion from this division with Telford and Barrow, and was part of AFC Fylde’s promotion push at Step 1 last season.
Green, who arrives from Nuneaton, is one of NonLeague’s most exciting midfielders. A highly-rated product of Everton’s academy, last season he spoke openly in an interview with the Daily Mail about his battle with depression.
“George’s talent is as good as anything outside the Championship,” Johnson said.
“I don’t say that just so it sounds great. He’s 22 and his talent is absolutely unbelievable. What that lad has been through in his life doesn’t bear thinking about – he’s been through some torrid times. To come out of it the other side and still have his love for the game shows the mental strength of the lad.
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“The talent is there. For me and Bern the job is to nurture that again, make sure he’s happy in every aspect of his life and we’ll get the best out of him.”
Johnson and Morley’s big priority is to tie down a forward line with the club currently without a recognised striker. They have irons in the fire as they look to piece together a squad that will revitalise a Chester side that has been stuck in a slump the last two seasons.
“Part of our recruitment drive is signing players who are used to winning promotions and leagues,” Johnson said.
“Obviously Chester were relegated last season and for the last few years they’ve been used to losing games. That’s the way football is – just like winning games gives you momentum, losing games can become a habit.
“I know it’s a cliché, but the type of lads we’ve brought in are all winners and they are used to that expectancy and pressure me and Bern put on them, so I’m sure they will be fine in that environment.”