Chester City

Odds: 28/1

Last Five Seasons
2005/06 - 15 (League Two), 2004/05 - 20 (League Two), 2003/04 - 1 (Conference, Promoted), 2002/03 - 4 (Conference), 2001/02 - 14 (Conference).

2005/06 Cup Progress
FA Cup Third Round (replay) vs Cheltenham Town (h) - lost 1-0
Carling Cup First Round vs Wolves (a) - lost 5-1
Football League Trophy Northern Section First Round vs Cambridge United (a) - lost 3-0

Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Ryan Lowe (striker) - 13 goals.

Players In
Jamie Hand (Watford - Free), Jermaine McSporran (Doncaster Rovers - Free), Simon Marples (Doncaster Rovers - Free), Ashley Westwood (Northampton Town - Free), Phil Bolland (Peterborough United - Free), Jonathan Walters (Wrexham - Free), Dean Bennett (Wrexham - Free), Kevin Sandwith (Macclesfield Town - Free), Drewe Broughton (Rushden & Diamonds - Free), Graham Allen (Rushden & Diamonds - Free), John Danby (Kidderminster Harriers - Free), Glenn Cronin (Exeter City - Free).

Players Out
Ryan Lowe (Crewe Alexandra - Free), Chris MacKenzie (Shrewsbury Town - Free), Stuart Drummond (Shrewsbury Town - Free), Ben Davies (Shrewsbury Town - Free), Paul Tait (Boston United - Free), Tom Curtis (Notts County - Free), Carl Regan (Macclesfield Town - Free), Wayne Brown (Hereford United - Free), Marcus Richardson (Weymouth - Free).

Following two seasons of struggle after their promotion from the Conference in 2004, manager Mark Wright has overhauled the squad in a bid to build a team capable of challenging at the upper end of the table.

Wright has signed tricky forward Jermaine McSporran on a free transfer from Doncaster Rovers and secured the services of Blackburn Rovers striker Jonathan Walters who spent last season on loan at Wrexham. Rushden & Diamonds campaigner Drewe Broughton, who netted 10 goals last term, including five in an eight game spell as relegated Diamonds hit form, also arrived on a free transfer.

The trio will have to find the goals missing due to the departure of last season's top goal scorer Ryan Lowe, who left to challenge himself in a higher division with Crewe Alexandra.

Watford's Jamie Hand know's what is expected of him following his transfer after loan spells at Northampton Town and Peteborough United last season while Phil Bolland has returned to the club after just five months at Peterborough.

Verdict
With such a change in personnel it is difficult to judge how well the Blues will fair next season. Ryan Lowe's departure is a blow but the rest of the players they have signed are arguably of better quality than those let go. An improvement on last season's fifteenth place is a must and Mark Wright's side could enjoy a top 10 finish.