Chester FC: Blues fail in bid to sign Southport striker Chris Simm

Sep 2 2010 Chester Chronicle

NEIL Young’s top transfer target Chris Simm has turned down a move to Chester FC.

The Blues agreed an undisclosed fee with Southport for the prolific striker and boss Young was confident of getting his man.

But 26-year-old Simm, whose goals helped the Sandgrounders to the Blue Square North title last season, has opted against dropping down the non-league pyramid.

Chester chief executive Steve Ashton said: “Southport and Chester had agreed the transfer but the player has turned the opportunity down.”

Young is more than happy with the forwards he has at his disposal but wanted the speedy Simm, who saw a move to League Two’s Bradford City fall through last month and has also been on trial with Morecambe, to add pace to his attack.

But even without Simm, Young believes his Blues will “take some stopping” now that their Evo-Stik League campaign is about to truly get under way.

Chester are playing catch-up in Division One North after Monday’s home clash with Prescot Cables – the club’s first at the Deva Stadium since reforming earlier this year – was postponed.

It means Young’s men are eight points behind early pacesetters Chorley – a deficit he wants his side to reduce by winning their second match of the season at Wakefield on Saturday (3pm) and then Wednesday’s eagerly-anticipated visit of Trafford (7.45pm).

Young said: “We’ve got to set our marker down now. With the players at our disposal, I truly believe if we find our feet quickly and get on a run we will take some stopping because the confidence will grow and we will get better.

“But we’ve got to get on that run, and in this league it’s not easy.”

More Blues news – page 94.