He might have only turned 27 last month but Craig Mahon is now Chester FC's elder statesman, a status he considers an honour.
This will be the Irishman's fourth season with the club having been signed from Vauxhall Motors in 2013 and he has clocked up 123 appearances in that time.
Last year was, admits the winger, one to forget as he struggled to match up to the achievements of a memorable 2014/15 campaign in which he starred in the FA Cup against Southend United and Barnsley, and became a father to twin boys , Finlay and Sidney.
Mahon's honest assessment is that his form dipped as he tried to juggle parenthood, his work with Wigan Athletic Community Trust and the demands of training and matches.
But the chirpy Dubliner now feels in a far better place in terms of that balance and ready to reignite his career with Mahon determined to win back his starting place and show once again what an important player he can be for the club.
Mahon told The Chronicle: "It's a strange position because I've always been youngest or been here a year or two but to be here four seasons now, it's a great honour to be here at a club like Chester for four seasons and hopefully I can repay the fans and the manager by putting in the effort this year.
"Obviously last year wasn't my most favourite season I've had but I've got things sorted out now at home with the kids and things like that so I've got to make sure I put the effort in at training.
IN PICTURES: Pre-season begins for the Chester squad
"All I want to do is play football, excite fans and score goals and last year I didn't really get the opportunity because I don't think I was playing as well as I have been so it was understandable being on the bench but this year I feel like I've adjusted myself and prepared myself a lot better so hopefully I can prove a point and start more matches."
