BLUES’ new signing Roger Sharrock has explained the reason why he jumped at the chance of signing for Chester.

The 24-year-old goalscoring winger is highly-rated by Chester boss Neil Young after scoring 16 goals in 41 appearances last season for Lancaster City.

Sharrock said: “Lancaster City had put a deal on the table for me after I had spoken to the manager and they asked me to think about it.

“But Neil Young then contacted me and asked me to sign for Chester and I had no hesitation in signing for him.

“Chester is still a professional club in my eyes and they have a terrific fan base.

“The thought of playing home games on a regular basis in front of 2,000 fans was a big incentive to join Chester.

“I played in front of big attendances last season when Lancaster played Halifax and FC United of Manchester, and I know how much a big crowd can lift my performance.

“I know there is a lot of high expectation for Chester to do well this season and rightly so judging by the calibre of players being signed by Neil Young.

“It was fantastic to hear Neil rate me as the best winger in the Unibond League Division One last season, and I’m hoping I can improve on my performances with Chester now that I’m fit and healthy after being sidelined with a hip injury in January.

“I class myself as an out and out tricky winger and I enjoy one on one situations with the opposing goalkeeper.

“I like to support the forward line and I’m looking forward to helping Chester score plenty of goals.

“We’ll respect whoever we play as a club because the opposition will always be hoping to pull off a victory against us, but on paper I think Chester can turn it on.”

Meanwhile, former Chester City and Northern Ireland international Mark Hughes has accepted a new contract at Barnet.

The 26-year-old midfielder scored four goals in 69 appearances in his time with Chester between 2007 and 2009, and he made 45 starts and one substitute appearance last season for Barnet, and is expected to report for the Londoner’s first pre-season training session tomorrow.

“I have obviously enjoyed my time at Barnet and am looking forward to working with the new management team and trying to re-establish my place in the team when the pre-season friendlies start,” Hughes said.

Hughes, who was Ian Hendon’s first signing from Chester City when he took over as manager in January 2009, started his career as a Tottenham Hotspur youth player and reserve.

Hughes’ contract at Barnet was due to expire at the end of this month, but the club made him an offer to stay at the start of the close season before new manager Mark Stimson was appointed.