Chris Herbert has no doubt Chester FC can unearth more lower league talent and believes in boss Steve Burr the club has the right man to help players like Ryan Astles reach their potential.
Signed from Northwich Victoria of the Evo-Stik League First Division South, Astles has handled the step up to the National League well and the 22-year-old looks to have a bright future .
Chester cannot compete financially with Eastleigh, Forest Green Rovers, Grimsby Town, Tranmere Rovers and others, so players such as Astles, young, performing well on a lower stage affordable and with something to prove, fit the bill.
Herbert, who joined the club in early December, has a vast knowledge of players below the National League and has been helping the manager draw up a list of those considered to have the potential to follow Astles, and he reckons Burr’s track record for developing talent means the approach is the right one.
Herbert said: “There are definitely more lads like Ryan Astles out there. Every player has got to come from somewhere and a lot of the time those players just need an opportunity to prove themselves like Ryan has had.
“Steve is a big believer in that and that was one of the draws for me because he’s willing to give lads the chance. He did it at Kidderminster where he would bring players in from lower leagues, develop them and then sell them on, which is good for them and good for the club.
“We’re not kidding ourselves that we can go and compete for with clubs like Grimsby and Eastleigh for those experienced players in League One and League Two, but what we can do is find players who have got something to prove and give them the chance to do that with Chester.”
Herbert was on the books of Chester City as a youngster before plying his trade with Blacon Athletic, Blacon Youth Club and Christleton, where his goalscoring exploits earned him a move into Welsh football.
Following spells with Connah’s Quay Nomads and Flint Town United, the 37-year-old moved into coaching, working as an assistant with Rhyl and Connah’s Quay, and managing Welshpool, Conwy Borough, Cefn Druids and Flint.
He stepped down from his role with the latter in December when Burr invited him onto his backroom team, where he combines scouting with helping out on the training ground.
“I enjoyed my time in Welsh football but I knew I needed to get into the English leagues and I’m very grateful to Steve for giving me the opportunity,” said Herbert.
“Sometimes the gaffer will ask me to go and watch a particular game or I’ll spot a player and pass that on to him, it works both ways.
“I was out on Tuesday watching an under-21s game at Wigan and then went to the Altrincham and Wrexham game in the evening. My day started at 9am with training and I didn’t get home until gone 10.30pm so it’s demanding but that’s what it entails.
“This is what I want to do and I love it here at Chester because it’s my hometown club and the club I’ve supported.”
