Promising teenager Tom Peers believes the ‘family like’ atmosphere around Chester FC has played a big part in his emergence, writes Jim Green.

Spotted playing for Warrington Schoolboys three years ago, Peers impressed in open trials and joined the Blues under 16s side.

His lethal touch in front of goal quickly caught the eye of Neil Young and Peers began training with the first team as a 17-year-old.

Now 18, the pacy striker has impressed in his fleeting senior appearances and there is genuine excitement surrounding his potential.

“The coaching and everything about the youth system at the club has been top drawer,” said Peers, who credits former coach Gareth Richards with helping him settle into life with the Blues and under 18s coaches Calum McIntyre, Stuart Musgrave and Paul Kelly for helping him step up.

“The environment of the youth system at the club is the environment you want to be in. During my involvement with the youth team I felt as though everyone was a family and everyone wanted the best for each other.

“It proves the youth section is doing something right when you see the likes of me and Sean Miller breaking into the squad.”

Peers has featured four times this term and finds himself playing first team football sooner than anticipated.

Grateful for the chance to prove himself, he now aims to gain valuable experience as he learns his trade.

“What I have achieved so far is beyond what I expected and I would like to thank Neil Young and the coaching staff for giving me the opportunities,” said Peers.

“I am still a young player and getting advice off the experienced players in the team is what I need.

“The step up is massive and the tempo is much faster but I like challenges and as soon as I first got involved with the first team I knew I would have to work hard.”

Peers has already shown a sharp turn of pace and deft touch and his record suggests goals will soon follow.

“I am a striker and scoring goals is what I am there to do so I have been lucky in the fact I have scored a fair few goals for the youth side,” he said.

“I think my main strength is my pace. I like to sit on the last defender and hope for the ball slid in behind the defence to run on to.

“As a player you always set yourself little targets that you would want to achieve. A few of these are personal to me but one that I would like to achieve is scoring my first goal for the first team, which will hopefully lead to a run of goals.”

Until then, Peers is happy to keep working hard on the training ground.

“There are always areas for improvement as a footballer,” he said. “Even players like Messi and Ronaldo are always working hard to become better players.

“I want to improve my physical side more, to be able to out-muscle defenders and compete for headers but I want to improve every attribute a striker needs

“I will be working hard in training and in my own time and there are quality coaches around me so I am grateful that I can keep improving.”