BLUES boss Bobby Williamson hailed the ambition of chairman Stephen Vaughan after making his first big-money swoop of the summer this week.

Williamson was handed the funds to sign Kevin Ellison from Tranmere Rovers for an undisclosed fee that The Chronicle understands breaks the six-figure barrier.

Ellison put pen to paper on a three-year deal on Tuesday, making him Williamson's third signing of the close season after forward Nathan Lowndes and winger Richie Partridge arrived on free transfers.

The City boss said: 'It's an ambitious signing. There's not much money floating about in football just now, especially in the lower reaches, but the chairman has put his money where his mouth is and backed me. We've got the players in that I feel can take us to a higher level.'

Chester's three summer recruits are more used to life in the Championship and League One than League Two, but they have all been persuaded to ply their trade at the Saunders Honda Stadium next season by Williamson and Vaughan.

The City boss admitted that he has already struck up a healthy working relationship with his chairman.

'The chairman's been fantastic,' said Williamson. 'He's been on the phone every day and I've been on the phone to him. I think he's fed up of listening to me already and I've only been here four or five weeks!

'We must have had about 200 text messages and 500 phone calls, but it's great to see he's proactive in moving the club forward. That's good as it gives me that belief that we can do well.'

Williamson is confident that Ellison - a direct left winger with an eye for spectacular goals - will prove to be just as big a hit as he was during his first spell with the Blues in 2004.

He said: 'I prefer out-and-out wingers who can create chances and take a goal as well, and Kevin can do that.

'There's not many wingers as tall as Kevin. They're a rare commodity, especially with him being left-sided as well. It may be a step back for him but hopefully he can make it two forward with Chester.'

Williamson is scouring the transfer market for other targets and is hot on the trail of Ellison's former Tranmere team-mate Gavin Ward, who was released by Rovers at the end of last season. The former Stoke and Bolton goalkeeper, who celebrates his 37th birthday tomorrow, is wanted to provide back-up for number one John Danby and to work as a specialist coach for Chester's keepers.

Transfer talks have been held with Ian Moore, who was released by Leeds United at the end of last season, and the former Tranmere striker will spend the weekend mulling over City's offer.

* Chester today expect to complete the signing of an experienced striker who played for a League Two club last season. The unnamed target will pen a two-year deal.