Pugh is Chester's newest 'hidden gem'

The 20-year-old left-back – the younger brother of AFC Bournemouth midfielder Marc Pugh – grabbed the chance to join the Exacta Stadium club when offered a one-year contract by Blues boss Neil Young.

He was among three players to join Chester on Wednesday, along with experienced duo Kevin McIntyre and Jason Jarrett, while highly-rated Vauxhall Motors winger Craig Mahon last night became the fourth to make the move.

Captain of Evo-Stik Division One North side Clitheroe at the age of 19, Pugh emerged as one of the best young players below the Conference Premier during his one-and-a-half seasons with the East Lancashire outfit.

It is further proof that Young is willing to take a chance on untapped potential lower down the non-league ladder following last season’s success of Danny Williams on loan from Kendal Town.

Pugh will now hope to make as big an impression as Williams, whose performances captured the attention of new club Inverness Caledonian Thistle, after admitting that is was a ‘no-brainer’ to join Chester.

“I’m delighted, it's a big opportunity for me,” said the Rossendale-based defender. “The move just came out of the blue.

“I got a call off Neil Young saying that he’d watched me a few times last season and that other people had put in a good word about me.

“He said there are a few hidden gems playing in the lower divisions and that I was one of them.

“I was made up with what the manager had to say about me.

“I had quite a few offers. There were a couple from Conference North clubs and a few from the Evo-Stik League, but Chester was the club I wanted to join.

“It was a no-brainer to join Chester. They are a massive club and although I had a bit of time to think about it, I didn’t really have any hesitation.

“I think I can make the step up to the Conference. I’m confident in my own ability and I can’t wait to get started.”

Pugh started his career as a YTS apprentice at Bury and left Gigg Lane to join Hyde FC at 18.

After a handful of appearances for the Tigers he had further short stints with East Lancashire clubs Bacup Borough and Ramsbottom United before finally settling down at Clitheroe in late 2011.

Within a couple of months he was made captain of the Blues and, last season, was influential in helping steer the club towards a promotion play-off spot.

Pugh said: “I did not really get my chance at Hyde. I started a few games but I was out of the team mostly. It was frustrating but then I got the chance to join Clitheroe the Christmas before last.

“It was a good club for me to join. I just wanted to play football at a decent standard. I did not want to sit on the bench.

“Within a couple of months, I was made captain. I loved being the captain and that sort of responsibility comes across in my game.

“I'm the sort of player that if the ball is there to be won, I'll do everything to win it. I will go and give it my all.”

Older brother Marc, 26, has enjoyed an excellent career in the Football League with Bury, Shrewsbury, Hereford and more recently at AFC Bournemouth, helping the south coast club land promotion to the Championship last season.

Following in the footsteps of his sibling is a long-term target for Pugh, but Chester’s new recruit is solely concentrating on making a name for himself with the Blues.

“Of course, I would love to follow him into the Football League,” he said. “But the main thing is to get into the Chester team and progress there.

“I can't think about anything more than that at the moment.”

In a further footballing family twist, another of Chester’s new signings, winger Craig Mahon, is the nephew of Alan Mahon and cousin of Andy Reid, both of whom are former Republic of Ireland internationals who have played in the Premier League.

Irishman Mahon, 23, who was released by Wigan four years ago, joins the Blues off the back of a tremendous campaign with Vauxhall Motors, where he was voted player of the season.