Craig Mahon believes that Chester FC’s squad are in far better position than they were 12 months ago.
With the Blues having been back in pre-season training for a fortnight, the popular Irish winger says that not only are fitness levels higher but the quality of the squad has been enhanced too.
And the 26-year-old believes he has already seen enough from manager Steve Burr’s summer recruits to suggest that the Blues can improve on their 12th-placed finish last season and challenge for the National League play-offs.
“We have come back strongly and we look a lot further ahead than we were this time last year,” said Mahon, who joined Chester from Vauxhall Motors in 2013.
“The guys who were here last year have come back well and the new boys have looked really good and settled in well. We’re feeling confident.
“The gaffer has gone for quality over quantity and all the boys that have come in look like quality signings.”
LOOK: Craig Mahon's Blues career in pictures
Mahon was one of Chester’s standout performers last season and signed a new two-year-deal at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium in the summer.
Having been part of the Chester squad that was relegated from non-league football’s top tier in 2014, before being reinstated , and a regular in Burr’s mid-table finishing side last term, Mahon believes that this season can bring about yet another improvement on the pitch for the Blues.
“On a personal level I want to continue to improve this season but, as a team, I want to push for the play-offs and I genuinely think we have an excellent chance,” said Mahon, who made 47 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring seven goals.
“We have got a great chance to do something this season and we have to set our aims high. We had a great season last season and I think we surprised a lot of people.”
“But this season we have come back even stronger, kept the nucleus of last season’s squad and signed some great lads who can help push us to the next level. I’m really excited for the season to get underway.
“Once we gel as a team I think we will be a match for anyone in the league.”
WATCH: Mahon fires the winner for Chester FC in the FA Cup first round at Southend United last season
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Mahon became a father for the first time last season, with his wife giving birth to twin boys, Finlay and Sidney, just hours before he scored the winner in the Blues’ memorable FA Cup first round win at League Two side Southend United.
Mahon says he has managed to find a way to juggle fatherhood, playing for Chester and holding down a job with Wigan Athletic’s academy and hopes his boys, now eight months old, will be able to see him in action soon.
“It is tough to balance everything but we manage to find a way,” he said.
“They boys were too young to come and watch last season but, hopefully, they can come and see me once or twice this season. That would be a nice moment for me.”
