Pic: Chester FC
NATIONAL LEAGUE outfit Chester have rewarded manager Jon McCarthy with a new two-and-a-half year contract at the Deva Stadium.
McCarthy stepped up from his role as assistant manager to replace Steve Burr at the backend of last season and helped keep the Blues in Non-League's top tier.
Chester have exceeded expectations so far this campaign and currently sit ninth in the National League, six points off the top five.
The former Northern Ireland international, 46, has shown enough in his eight months at the helm to convince the Blues that he's the man to take the club forward.
The club announced on Thursday morning that the ex-Port Vale, York City and Birmingham City winger has put pen to paper on a new two-and-a-half year deal.
Chief executive Mark Maguire told the club's website: “We are thrilled to have secured the services of Jon for an additional two years.
“He is an outstanding manager and an outstanding individual who has transformed things both on and off the pitch.
“I wish to make clear that the reward of this new contract is not only about the results on the pitch – which have exceeded expectations – but also because of the impact he has had in creating a culture off the pitch which has brought the whole club together.
“He has created a clear footballing vision and integrated that throughout the first team and youth team set up with intelligence and understanding of the club.
“It is a privilege to work with him and his young squad and, as chief executive, I'm looking forward to matching his progress commercially in order that together we can create a platform which will position the club in a place where we can have a real go at getting back into the Football League.
“There's plenty of hard work ahead but this new contract is a fantastic first step!”
