John Danby said he had 'enjoyed every minute' of his time with the Blues, but admitted he was feeling a 'little bit down' about leaving the club.

Danby featured than 100 times for both Chester City and Chester FC, making 268 appearances in total in his two spells.

His departure was confirmed on Thursday after the goalkeeper and the club came to an agreement to terminate the final 12 months of his contract.

Danby, who has been unable to train with the squad after the switch to daytime training because of his business, had been on the transfer list since May after manager Steve Burr said he needed to free up room in his budget.

He had started this season as third choice keeper following the signings of Jon Worsnop and Freddy Hall.

"It's not been a great couple of months," said Danby, who was a key man in the Evo-Stik Premier Division and Conference North title-winning squads.

"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 with my business.

"I suppose I thought I would be at the club for a few more years. 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."

Stoke-born Danby joined Chester City in May 2006 from Kidderminster Harriers and remained until the club was wound up in March 2010.

He moved to Eastwood Town but then manager Neil Young brought him back to the club in June 2011.

For the full interview with John Danby see next week's Chronicle, out on August 28.