CHESTER CITY last night rejected what they called a "derisory" offer from Boston United for last season's leading scorer Daryl Clare.

The 25-year-old striker, who celebrates his birthday next Sunday, has been the subject of interest from the York Street club for the past two months.

However, City chairman Stephen Vaughan and manager Mark Wright were united in their annoyance at the way the episode had been handled by the Lincolnshire club.

"I met my chairman and we are in total agreement that Daryl is staying with Chester City," said City manager Wright.

He continued: "We received an offer from Boston that was derisory, and they stated that their bid was non-negotiable. The reality is that we don't want to negotiate because Daryl is an integral part of our squad for this coming season.

"This whole episode has been unsavoury in the way it has been handled by Boston and I know my chairman is likely to take that matter further."

Wright continued: "Hopefully, Boston won't continue to disrupt our player with these offers and reports in newspapers and they will now just go away."

Wright revealed that he was about to increase his playing squad in the next few days.

"Instead of losing a player, we are trying to increase our squad," he said. "I am interested in a player who will excite our supporters and hopefully we will be able to announce that signing soon."

Meanwhile Chester will take a strong squad to North Wales this evening for the club's sixth pre-season friendly of the summer against League of Wales side Connah's Quay Nomads.

"Pre-season has gone well for us, but everybody must remember that we are building up to August 7 and our game against Notts County," added Wright.

"That is the most important thing for us. However, we will take a strong squad to Connah's Quay and again will will try a couple of different options."

CHESTER CITY (from): Brown, Mackenzie, Vaughan, Edmondson, Hope, Collins, Bolland, Hessey, Belle, McIntyre, Davies, Roberts, Carden, Drummond, Clare, Branch, Thil, Harris, Cook, Booth, Rapley.