John Danby has thanked for fans for helping him through his drawn-out departure and insists he bears no ill-feelings.

Danby left the club after an agreement was reached to terminate his contract, which had been due to expire at the end of the season.

Manager Steve Burr had put the 31-year-old on the transfer list three months ago and had not trained with the squad since the introduction of a full-time training model.

Danby explained how his struggle to adapt to part-time football after the demise of Chester City contributed to him deciding to put his future first.

He works as a personal trainer and co-owns Swim Success – a swimming tuition business – meaning he can only train in the evenings.

“I made a mistake when I was full-time and to be honest I thought it was going to go on forever,” said Danby.

“I got a bit of a shock when I turned part-time and it was a kick up the backside for me.

“It took me three years or so to come to terms with it and get myself sorted out.

“Circumstances have changed at the club which I understood could happen, but I’ve always been honest about my situation and full-time training just isn’t viable for me.

“My business is going well and I’m trying to grow it now and it does take up a lot of time.”

Danby moved to the Blues in 2006 from Kidderminster Harriers and remained until the club was wound up in March 2010.

He moved to Eastwood Town but Neil Young brought him back in 2011, and he helped the club win the Evo-Stik Premier Division and Conference North titles.

He made 268 appearances in his two spells and admitted the last few months had been difficult.

“I suppose I thought I would be at the club for a few more years,” said Danby.

“I moved to Chester probably about eight or nine years ago when I first joined the club, Chester is my home and I always looked out for the club’s results even after I left first time.

“It’s been a massive part of my career and if I’m honest I’m a little bit down about it all but that’s football and I will move on and see what happens.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time at the club and the fans have always been brilliant with me.

“Some people might have looked at the situation and thought I was being difficult, which I wasn’t, but the fans have been very understanding.”

Danby started last season as first choice but lost his place when Burr brought in Aaron Chapman on loan in February.

He now plans to take a few weeks to assess his options before deciding his next move.

He said: “I’ve had quite a bit of interest but I’ve got be careful about travelling times, training and that.

“I would like to go to a club that’s got ambition because that ambition was what made me come back to Chester.”