Head of youth development Bernard Concannon and head of academy recruitment Mark Howell have parted company with Chester FC.

Both were integral to the creation of the club's youth and junior section in 2010, which now encompasses 10 age groups and more than 180 players.

Having started out with a single under 18s side, the pair have overseen a period of remarkable growth and success.

As well as amassing an impressive collection of trophies and seeing the likes of Joe Ormerod and Tom Peers progress to the first team, the youth section has been invited to face Premier League and Football League academy opposition.

But the pair have now decided to stand down from their roles, explaining the board had indicated a desire to take a different approach in the future.

Both hold season tickets at the Swansway Chester Stadium and will continue to support the Blues.

Howell said: "We have had four great years setting up the youth section at Chester FC.

"We have felt these past few months that the board want to do things slightly differently, and believe that now is the right time to leave and concentrate on our work and family.

"We leave the club with a great set of coaches, staff and great quality players in every age group, as well as half a dozen of last season’s U18 boys returning to Steve Burr for pre-season training.

"We wish whomever the board choose to succeed us all the very best of luck in the role."

Howell and Concannon have paid tribute to the volunteer managers and coaches, parents and players for contribution to the success of the academy, which is almost entirely self-funding.

Howell said: "The rise of the academy at Chester FC is testament to the hard work and dedication of a lot of volunteers and parents.

"To have been continually involved with a group of talented children and watch them develop into a group of extremely talented, but level headed, polite young men from eight to 18, is an honour.

"The club and its owners should be extremely proud of them."

Concannon added: "The initial meeting with Mark to discuss the proposal seems such a long time ago but the journey has been a really enjoyable and rewarding one."