MAC'S READY FOR A RETURN

CALUM McIntyre says he has never felt better after returning from a holiday in Menorca – but there’s one break the Chester boss didn’t enjoy.

- Chris Dunlavy

“Last season was the first time I’ve got to the end of April and not been involved in a playoff game,” said the 30-year-old, who registered a trio of top-five finishes with Runcorn Linnets before leading the Blues to third-place in National League North in his debut campaign at the Deva.

“I didn’t know what to do with myself. Do I go and watch? Do I go on holiday early? Fair play – it was someone else’s turn. But it wasn’t a lot of fun, let me tell you.”

Much like the rest of last season. Chester began the campaign as one of the favourites for promotion after a summer of impressive recruitment, but early optimism quickly dissipated in the face of patchy home form, profligate finishing and a post-Christmas slump.

A tenth-place finish was, by any measure, a major disappointment and marked the first real setback of McIntyre’s nascent managerial career.

“Yeah, I’d agree with that,” he admits. “But you don’t take the Chester job for an easy ride.

You don’t take the Chester job to sit in a big blue chair and feel pleased with yourself. You take the Chester job because you want to work hard, because you relish the pressure, you demand high standards and you want to achieve something.

“That’s my personality. That’s my nature. It was the same at Runcorn Linnets and it’s why I’m here.