BLUES boss Neil Young and his squad of players will tomorrow start to prepare for their Evo-Stik League Division One North campaign.

Young admitted he had been delighted to hear that Chester Football Club's appeal against the FA's recommendation to start the season in Step Five of the non-league pyramid had proved successful.

And Chester were warmly welcomed as new members of the Evo-Stik League at Saturday's league AGM held at Blackpool.

Young, who steered Colwyn Bay to success from the same level of football last term, is now keen to see the new season get under way.

He said: "I've managed Colwyn Bay in the Unibond (now Evo-Stik) League for the last two years, so I'm hoping that I can help Chester with my knowledge of the clubs and grounds in the division.

"I think it's great for the club and for the players that we will be starting in a higher division and the fans will see a significant step up in the quality of football.

"Both the coaching staff and players want to compete at the highest level possible with Chester, and we all look forward now to the new season."

Young, assistant coach, Gary Jones, and club coach, Gary Powell, will be organising the club's first pre-season training session tomorrow ahead of Chester's Evo-Stik League Division One North campaign getting underway in the week commencing August 23 - one week later than the other fixtures as Chester will be one of 23 clubs in the division.

The full list of clubs in the Evo-Stik League Division One North is: AFC Fylde, Bamber Bridge, Cammell Laird, Chorley, Clitheroe, Curzon Ashton, Durham City, Garforth Town, Harrogate Railway Athletic, Lancaster City, Leigh Genesis, Mossley, Ossett Albion, Prescot Cables, Radcliffe Borough, Salford City, Skelmersdale United, Trafford, Wakefield, Warrington Town, Witton Albion, Woodley Sports.

Meanwhile, Young has revealed two further signings to take his squad up to 17 since he took over the reins at the Deva Stadium club.

He said: "I've signed winger Iain Howard from Evo-Stik Premier League club, Ashton United. He's a quick, tenacious, and skilful player, and a great acquisition to the team.

"And I've also signed centre forward Aaron Burns from Northwich Victoria who began his career at Manchester United, and he has also had spells at FC United of Manchester and spent time on loan at both Droylsden and Connah's Quay Nomads.

"I have chased both signings for a while and I'm convinced they will both add more quality to the Chester squad."