CHESTER'S director of football Gordon Hill has pledged attractive, attacking football from day one of the club's bid to get back to the Nationwide League.
And as City prepare for their opening match against Woking tomorrow he has been boosted by the news that four players have settled their differences with the club.
Skipper Carl Ruffer has signed a new three-year deal and fellow central defender Martyn Lancaster has agreed a two-year contract.
Chris Blackburn, who recently had a trial with Manchester City, is staying with Chester, as is goalkeeper Wayne Brown, recently linked with Oxford United and Farnborough. There are also new one-year deals for youngsters Paul Roberts and Wes Kilgannon.
Striker Steve Whitehall has joined Conference rivals Nuneaton Borough, visitors to the Deva Stadium on August 27, possibly opening the door to sign former Hull City defender Jon Witney who has been training at the club and played in the 3-3 draw at Caernarfon Town on Thursday last week.
Witney, who started his career at Winsford United, has had an offer from Lincoln City, but Hill hasn't ruled out luring him to Chester. 'We haven't made an offer yet. It depends what happens with his talks with Lincoln,' he said.
Hill has yet to name his starting line-up for tomorrow and will wait for news on one or two niggling injuries, including Lancaster's dead leg which kept him out of the friendly match against Manchester City.
Hill is determined to try to and win back the fans with his style of football.
He said: 'We will be going out to win every match, he pledged. We will play with a high tempo home and away.
'We have a job to do and want to get out of this division.'
Woking have made eight close-season signings, including £20,000 centre-back Paul Steele from Yeovil, and have recently sacked three players for defying club orders and joining a British Universities tour of China and Hong Kong.
They were hoping to sign Chris Sharpling, who was on loan last season from Crystal Palace, in time for tomorrow s opener.
Chester are in action at Southport next Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm.
