Anthony Johnson believes managing Chester FC will enable both him and Bernard Morley to realise their dream of reaching the National League.

Johnson and Morley scooped the National League North Managers of the Year award earlier this week, having guided Salford City to the title last season, securing the Ammies promotion to the National League in the process.

However, the dynamic duo parted company with Salford just weeks after their title win and have since been appointed as Chester’s new management team, and they now hope they can steer the Blues to similar success in the 2018-19 campaign, having already stated they believe the play-offs must be targeted as a realistic aim.

“Those type of awards only come about if the team do well,” Johnson said.

“Nobody who finishes eighth wins the manager of the year award, so it’s an award for the players who won the league more than anything.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s lovely to get the recognition for winning the title with Salford. But myself and Bern, our next main aim is to be managing in the National League and we’re not going to be there next season. We now want to make that next step up with Chester.

“It’s nice to get the award but we won’t be getting carried away. Let’s hope we’re winning it again in 12 months’ time.”

With Morley away this week on a family holiday, Johnson isn’t expecting any imminent signings to add to the earlier arrivals of Matty Hughes, Steve Howson, Grant Shenton and Dominic Smalley.

However, the 34-year-old has stressed the need for Chester’s scouting network to be expanded, and is currently working on increasing their eyes and ears across several regions.

“We’ve got to get some more boots on the ground,” he explained. “The club needs to improve and extend its scouting network and we’re putting plans in place for that.

“We need people out there watching games in North Wales, watching games across Chester, right across the lower leagues in the North West. It’s important we go out and try to find the talent that is out there, you’ve got to be proactive when it comes to finding players.

“So far we’ve identified key targets in the key areas we felt the squad needed improving and we’ve been delighted to bring in the four new lads so far.

“We’ll keep looking for the right players who fit in with how we want to play and are the right type of characters for Chester.”