Who is the greatest loan signing to have donned the blue and white of Chester FC?

Older fans will remember Earl Barrett, a cool-headed defender who went on to win three caps for England, from 1985-86 or how about Graham Lancashire's prolific spell in the 1993-94 promotion winning campaign?

There are other contenders for the title too including none other than Blues legend Stuart Rimmer, who first moved to Sealand Road on loan from Everton in 1985.

With the emergency loan window now open and manager Steve Burr expected to be on the hunt for temporary reinforcements, The Chronicle has compiled our pick of the greatest loan XI to have worn Chester shirts.

Gallery: The Chronicle's greatest Chester loan XI through their careers

Goalkeeper

Mike Stowell: A legend at Wolverhampton Wanderers after spending a decade at Molineux, Stowell had a 14-game loan spell with Chester in 1987. At the time he was on the books of Everton, who had spotted him playing for Leyland Motors in the North West Counties League. Stowell conceded one goal in his first five games for the Blues and impressed during his time at Sealand Road. He returned to Goodison Park but could not displace Neville Southall, then considered one of the world's finest goalkeepers, and had a further five loan moves before making a permanent switch to Wolves, where he went on to make 400 league appearances.

Honourable mentions: Iain Turner, Matt Glennon.

Defence

Clive Wilson: Cultured defender Wilson made 21 appearances with the Blues during the 1982-83 season while on loan from Manchester City. Under Cliff Sear and then John Sainty, Wilson looked a cut above the rest of a side that finished mid-table in the old Fourth Division. Wilson eventually became a first-teamer at Maine Road before moving to Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers, where he spent five years, and Tottenham Hotspur before finishing his career with Cambridge United.

Earl Barrett: Rochdale-born Barrett followed the same path as Wilson, moving to Chester from Manchester City towards the back end of the 1985-86 season. Barrett made 12 appearances for Harry McNally's men in a memorable end to a campaign that finished with the Blues securing promotion to the old Third Division. Barrett signed for Oldham Athletic in 1987 and helped them win two promotions before moving on to Aston Villa, Everton and Sheffield Wednesday, winning three caps for England between 1991 and 1993.

Phil Bolland: Mark Wright returned to his former club Oxford United to bring Bolland to Chester on loan in January 2002. Three months later he made the move permanent and made over 160 league appearances in two spells with the Blues. Bolland was a latecomer to the professional ranks but his aerial strength, reading of the game and leadership made him a hit with Chester fans and he was part of the Football Conference title-winning squad in 2003-04.

Lewis Turner: An energetic and reliable full-back, Turner spent the second half of the 2012-13 season on loan with the Blues from Leeds United, scoring the winner against Boston United to secure the Conference North title. He returned to Chester on a season-loan loan for 2013-14 and was the standout performer in a struggling side, winning the player of the season award. Somewhat surprisingly the Blues did not offer him a permanent contract after Leeds released Turner and he signed for Harrogate Town.

Honourable mentions: Matty McGinn.

Midfield

Antoni Sarcevic: Attacking midfielder Sarcevic arrived at Chester on loan from Crewe Alexandra in October 2010 and although he was recalled after seven games, the impression he made meant he remained at the top of manager Neil Young's shopping list. Sarcevic scored on his Crewe debut but couldn't break into the side on a regular basis and transferred to the Blues in November 2011. Helping the club win back-to-back titles and earning England C recognition, it was no surprise when Football League clubs came calling and Sarcevic was sold to Fleetwood Town for a reported £100,000 in June 2013.

Danny Williams: There wasn't much fuss made when Neil Young brought in the unknown Williams on loan from Kendal Town during the 2012-13 season but the signing proved a masterstroke. Williams' speed and stamina gave the Blues a new dimension and helped them run away with the Conference North title. Chester had a permanent deal in place but hesitation allowed Inverness Caledonian Thistle to swoop and soured Young's relationship with the board.

Sam Aiston: Fans' favourite Aiston had two loan spells with the Blues and earns his place in the XI for his contribution during the first of those. Kevin Ratcliffe brought the winger in from Sunderland and he gave the side a new attacking threat, helping them reach the play-offs, where defeat to Swansea ended their promotion dreams. Aiston returned on loan again in 1998-99 but did not reach the same heights with Chester struggling the league. After leaving Sunderland he moved to Shrewsbury Town, Tranmere Rovers, Northampton Town and Wrexham.

Honourable mentions: Andy Porter, John Rooney and Nathan Turner.

Attack

Stuart Rimmer: Mick Speight signed Rimmer on loan from Everton in January 1985 and the striker made an immediate impression, scoring a hat-trick on his debut in a 5-1 win over Southend United. Rimmer ended that season with 14 goals and the Blues paid a nominal fee to bring him to Sealand Road on a permanent deal, and the rest is history. He went on to become Chester's all-time leading scorer, bagging 185 goals in 361 appearances during two spells with the club before retiring at the age of 34.

Graham Lancashire: Blackpool-born Lancashire started his career with Burnley but endeared himself to Chester fans with a hugely successful loan spell during the 1993-94 season as he helped the club secure promotion under Graham Barrow. Lancashire netted seven goals in 11 games, including a brace in a dramatic win over promotion rivals Preston North End. Barrow walked away that summer after a fallout with the board and Lancashire went back to Burnley before later signing for Preston.

Derek Asamoah: Ghanaian striker Asamoah became a cult hero at Chester when he was signed on loan by Keith Curle in January 2006 from Boston United. He netted eight goals in 17 league games, including memorable strikes to seal wins against Macclesfield Town and Wrexham. Curle departed before the end of the season following a bad run of form and Asamoah opted against signing a permanent deal and instead made the move to Shrewsbury Town. Following spells in France, Scotland, Bulgaria and South Korea, Asamoah linked up with Curle again at Carlisle United.

Honourable mentions: Steve Johnson, Junior Agogo, Ben Mills, Matty Taylor and Oliver McBurnie.

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Who is Chester's greatest loan signing?

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