CHESTER Football Club today (Thursday, May 20) started the process of shortlisting candidates for the manager’s job.

More than 30 hopefuls applied for the Deva Stadium post before yesterday’s closing date and the position is expected to be filled within the next few weeks.

The vacancy has attracted the attention of a few former Football League managers as well as a string of experienced non-league applicants who are hoping to push Chester to a series of promotion campaigns.

Chester Fans United chairman Chris Pilsbury believes the news this week concerning the FA’s recommendation for the North West Counties League to accept the club will not have an adverse effect on the aspirations of managers who have applied.

He said: “I hope the news regarding the league we will be playing in won’t affect the ambitions of those managers who have applied for the job.

“Yes, we will be starting lower down the pyramid than we originally thought, but it’s the same Chester Football Club and those people who have applied will feel they are able to take us all the way back to where we came from.

“I haven’t seen the list of names that have applied for the manager’s job, but I am aware that there are a number of candidates who are former Football League managers.

“Not one of the applicants has pulled out which is good to hear, and I am sure whoever does get the job will be wanting to make a difference.”

Pilsbury also confirmed that the Blues need to officially apply to join the North West Counties League Premier Division and then wait for member clubs to vote on whether to accept the motion at the league’s annual general meeting on Saturday, June 19.