NEIL YOUNG fully understands the reason why bookmakers have listed Chester at odds of 16-1 to win the Conference Premier title.
The Blues boss is currently working hard to assemble a side that can compete in the national division as a part-time outfit after tasting a hat-trick of title-winning campaigns.
“The bookmakers have clearly looked at our impressive statistics during the last three years and based their odds on our success,” Young said.
“I don’t take much notice of what the bookmakers have to say, particularly after quoting odds of 200-1 last week on me being the next manager of Manchester United!
“But I can understand why we’re sitting eighth in their list of clubs to win the Conference Premier and that is down to the fact that we won the Conference North title by 16 points.
“We’ll just have to wait and see what happens, but I do know that we face a tough season in a national division with more than half of the teams playing full time.”
Luton Town are quoted as 4-1 favourites to win the Conference Premier title, with Grimsby Town and Wrexham listed as joint second favourites at 6-1, ahead of Forest Green Rovers at 7-1, Cambridge United and Kidderminster Harriers at 9-1, and Barnet at 14-1.
Young added: “I can’t believe that the bookies have got FC Halifax at 40-1 for next season, particularly as they had been listed as one of the favourites to win the Conference North title last season.
“Neil Aspin (Halifax manager) has a lot of work to do ahead of next season, like me, but I’d like to congratulate him and Halifax for winning promotion via the play-offs.
“I’m sure football fans are delighted to see a former Football League club like Halifax doing so well and managing to get themselves so close to a return to league football.”
Aspin has secured Halifax a third promotion campaign in four years after a 1-0 Conference North play-off final win against Brackley Town at the weekend.
He said: “This is a difficult league to get out so to get to the Conference Premier in four years is probably better than expected. The first promotion was vital as it set the ball rolling but this is better as it was harder to achieve. It's a great feeling.
"I've sensed over the last couple of weeks the players have had a real desire to get the results. I could sense in the dressing room that they've grown up in some respects, and they've played like men."
Young has revealed he will be announcing his retained list after this weekend’s presentation evening and admitted he was looking to sign at least 10 players during the summer months after the departure of Dave Hankin, Iain Howard, and on loan players Danny Williams, Nathan and Lewis Turner.
- Former Chester defender Sean Newton has become Lincoln City’s first new signing of the summer.
The 24-year-old left back, who started his career with the Blues, has penned a two-year contract.