Sean McConville didn’t think twice when Steve Burr approached him and expects his new boss to hand him a licence to thrill.
McConville had no hesitation in leaving Stalybridge Celtic and becoming the first new face of the summer at the Swansway Chester Stadium.
He netted 11 times in the Conference North last season and the 25-year-old is confident he will surpass that total under Burr, a manager who believes attack is the best form of defence.
McConville said: “I thought I had a good season last year but I didn’t score as many as I would like.
“I got a call from Steve at the end of the season asking me to come to Chester and I jumped at the chance to be honest.
“I’m over the moon to be here because it’s a massive club and I’m looking forward to getting more goals.”
McConville began his career in non-league, breaking into the first team at Burscough as a teenager before moving to near-neighbours Skelmersdale United.
He bagged 15 goals in 30 games for Skem, earning him a move to the Football League with Accrington Stanley and had spells with Stockport County, Rochdale and Barrow before moving to Bower Fold last summer.
Right-footer McConville, who can play out wide or off the front, feels playing under Burr – one of the most respected managers in non-league – could bring out the best in him.
He said: “I’ve not worked with Steve before but I’ve spoke to a few lads who have and everyone of them had only good things to say.
“I like to express myself on the pitch and some managers like that, and I think Steve is that kind of manager.
“I met up with him and had a chat about his plans and where the club is going and it’s exciting because it’s our job to build something, get the fans on side and start winning football matches again.”
McConville, who lives in Allerton in Merseyside, believes there is no reason the Blues cannot put together a strong title challenge next season but knows other clubs have the same ambition - including two of his former employers.
He said: “I played in the Conference North last season so I know what it’s like and it was a tough league, but I think it’s going to be even tougher next season.
“There are some big clubs in there like Stockport and some clubs with money like Barrow so it will be an exciting league.
“But this is a big club with a big fan base and we should definitely be right up there too.”
