Chester FC - John Johnston joins Kidsgrove Athletic

Chester FC have confirmed that John Johnston has joined Kidsgrove Athletic on a permanent basis.

The 27-year-old winger joined the Blues from Altrincham in January 2020. Johnston made 36 appearances for the club across two disrupted seasons.

He also chipped in with three goals. His first for the club coming in December 2020, a stunning strike in a 5-3 win over Hereford on the night fans were able to return to the Deva Stadium.

‘JJ’ also scored in the 3-3 draw at Bradford (PA) in January this year, which proved to be our last match of the season before it was declared null and void.

John made four starts and three sub appearances this term, scoring once, a late penalty in defeat at Kidderminster Harriers in August.

Increased work commitments for JJ has seen him take the move back into part-time football with a side based more locally to his job.

Blues Joint Boss Anthony Johnson said: “JJ’s home commitments have changed meaning that he can’t commit to the time needed to be a Chester player anymore.

“We thank him for all his efforts and wish him the best of luck going forwards.”

Everyone at Chester FC would like to thank JJ for his endeavours whilst at the club, and we wish him the very best for the future.

The winger had this to say following his departure…

“Firstly I want the thank everyone at the club. I’m absolutely gutted it hasn’t worked the way we all wanted it to.

“These things happen in football sometimes, and it would have been easy for me to sit there and still pick up a wage but that’s not the person I want to be known as. The money will be used for the team and hopefully it gets the club back to where they belong.

“It is nothing personal to Chester, but the travel and also workload in my job has become too much – as well as missing out on quality time with my family which for me will also come first.”

“I want to thank Jonno and Bern for the opportunity to bring me to a club like this and for being so understanding about the reasons I wanted to go.

“I’m signing more local to me where I know the Manager and the Chairman and it is an opportunity for me to go and enjoy my football.”