CHESTER FC boss Neil Young has delivered on his promise to sign a 'proven goalscorer at a higher level' by swooping for Southport hitman Tony Gray.
The arrival of the 28-year-old, who scored 24 goals for the Sandgrounders in the Blue Square Bet Premier last season, represents a major coup for the Blues.
Gray netted 78 times in 158 starts across two spells at Haig Avenue – with all his league goals coming in the top two tiers of non-league football – while he was also a prolific scorer for Droylsden in the Blue Square Bet North, the division Chester currently play in.
Young has been a long-term admirer of the forward and was surprised when Southport manager Liam Watson told him he was willing to sell.
Gray is leaving the Sandgrounders as he is unable to commit to their extra training sessions because of his own work commitments,.
In a model that Young – who is on the verge of going full-time with the Blues after agreeing an 18-month sabbatical with his employers Merseyrail – may follow in the future, Southport players have one weekday and two weeknight training sessions a week.
Young agreed an undisclosed fee – believed to be worth four figures – for Gray last night and personal terms today.
Gray, a Liverpudlian, is not eligible for tomorrow's FA Cup second qualifying replay at home to Gainsborough Trinity (7.45pm) – which will be subject to a pitch inspection between 2-2.30pm – but will go straight into the squad for Saturday's league clash at Stalybridge Celtic (3pm).
Pick up Thursday’s Chester Chronicle for more.
