For many footballers, life beyond their playing days can often be treated as an afterthought.

Having dedicated themselves to the sport for so long, retiring players can find themselves cut adrift with no discernible career path ahead of them.

Not so for former Chester goalkeeper Jon Worsnop though, whose Gymology nutritional food delivery business is going from strength to strength.

Together with partner and former triathlete Katie Booth, Worsnop founded the company last year with a view to supplying meals to people trying to improve and maintain their fitness levels.

Producing and distributing 20,000 freshly prepared meals per week from their recently-acquired premises in Irlam, the company counts a raft of professional football clubs among their customer base.

Premier League side Aston Villa, as well as Football League clubs like Rochdale, Oldham Athletic and Coventry City are all regularly supplied by Gymology.

And 36-year-old Worsnop, who was signed by Northern Premier League side Ashton United last week, is delighted to be immersed in an industry he is passionate about.

"I'd love to stay in involved in football in a coaching capacity, but at this level of football you always have to look for ways to supplement your income", he said.

"Fortunately I've found myself in a position to channel my energy into Gymology and am excited about where this company can go.

"There's three things in life that I've always loved. Dogs, football and keeping fit.

"I've always tried to eat healthily by watching the calories and I realise how important nutrition is to so many people out there too.

"Katie and I both love the gym and we'd see healthy meals in the fridges there for people who want to eat well before or after a workout.

"But you realise that not everyone has the time to go to the gym - some people work out at home and lead very busy lives with so many work and family commitments.

"So we thought it'd be great to offer a service where these nutritional meals could be delivered to homes for families and working people who don't always have the time to prepare healthy food.

"That side of the business is going really well and the links we've struck with professional clubs has been brilliant.

"Just recently we've done deals to supply the likes of Sale Sharks and Altrincham Aces, and we've had great endorsements from customers like John Terry, Kasper Schmeichel and Jamie Vardy.

"We were supplying (former Chester centre back) Sam Hughes with regular meals and since his move to Leicester City we're now supplying the whole Under-23 squad down there now too.

"We're also looking to launch nutritional meal options for kids now because eating healthy is so important at any age and this country does have a problem with childhood obesity.

"It's been great to see the business grow and hopefully this is another area we can expand into."

Following his switch to Ashton from Guiseley, Worsnop is now at his ninth club in an itinerant playing career.

It is five years since Worsnop turned out for Steve Burr's Chester in the 2014/15 campaign, in which he won the fans’ player of the year award.

A move to Bradford Park Avenue a season later followed, before spells with the likes of York City and Southport in recent years.

Worsnop reflects on his time at the Deva fondly and feels that Blues fans should be optimistic about their prospects next term.

He said: "I loved my time at Chester and they're still the first team I look out for when the results come in on a Saturday afternoon.

"I've spoken before about how much I regretted leaving the club at the time and I still wish that I'd had more time there.

"It's a great club and I loved the training sessions there, running out in front of their crowd on a Saturday afternoon and the lads I played with.

"I think there's still so much potential for Chester to push on up the divisions and emulate others who've done it, and I'd say the play-offs are definitely realistic for Chester next season"

Worsnop ranks his time with the Blues as one of the best periods of his career and admits he would have relished the chance to have played under current managerial duo Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley.

"I really think they would have got the best out of me as a player", he added.

"Based on their track record, they're probably the best managers in that division and their qualities will eventually bring success to Chester, I'm sure.

"They're both no-nonsense and straight-talking guys and I think players respect that.

"Playing under a great manager is a massive part of football and inspires players to be better professionals.

"I certainly felt that way when I was playing under Gary Mills at York and I'm sure the current Chester squad feel that way now.

"I've got a lot of time for Jody (Banim) at Ashton too. I get on really well with him and I'm sure I'll be happy playing for him there.

"I still think I've got a lot to offer in the game even if this isn't the level of football I'd want to be playing at in an ideal world.

"But I'm enjoying my football right now and that's always the most important factor for any player."