CHESTER CITY last night appointed sports business consultant Darren Shelton as their new chief executive in succession to Dave Burford, who resigned last month.

Shelton has worked abroad on various sports initiatives, and is relishing the Deva Stadium challenge: "It was pleasing to get the call from Stephen Vaughan and I have a number of new initiatives which I hope will be up and running in the near future," he said.

Shelton, 27, from Cheshire, added: "The main priority is to increase awareness of the club and to get the business side right. I want to get involved with the local business community."

Meanwhile, Hull have today agreed to loan goal-keeper Matt Duke to Chester while Sheffield Unit-ed's England youth international Jonathan Forte is also expected to join City later today.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who made 22 League appearances for the Bramall Lane club last season, is expected to join on loan. Both players will be included in the squad to face Peterborough United at London Road in Saturday's opening League Two fixture.

Last night a youthful Chester beat League of Wales outfit Airbus UK 2-0 at Broughton, with goals from youth-team players Paul Rutherford and Matt Humphries.