Director of rugby, Steve Donovan, has been impressed with the squad's preparation for the new campaign which kicks off at Hinckley on Saturday week, and he said: "Our pre-season and our training sessions have gone really well.
"We have been attrac
ting 50 players on a regular basis for our training sessions and we've had a big influx of new players.
"They are aware that they have to prove themselves because there is a nucleus of players who were at the club last season.
"I think we face a tougher season after winning promotion last season,
but we have decided to choose Midlands One League rather than North One to give ourselves a fresh challenge."
Donovan was impressed with Chester's two pre-season appearances against Preston Grasshoppers and Huddersfield who play two levels above and added: "We played four 20-minute slots against Preston and Huddersfield which gave the backroom staff a good insight into where we stand.
"Both games were closely contested and now we're looking forward to the start of the new season.
"Most of the 20 new guys at the club have registered with Chester and have committed themselves to the club for the new season.
"A big blow for Chester during the close season was seeing both Simon Abiero and Matt Sheen leave the club.
"Both were last season's top try scorers, but Simon has moved to Yorkshire and Matt has got a job in Scotland."
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