Scott Burton was ready for a change of scenery after four years at Salford City and has paid thanks to owner Gary Neville for allowing him to join Chester.

The 30-year-old made 125 appearances and won three promotions with the Moor Lane club, under the stewardship of new Blues management duo Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson.

However, once Morley and Johnson parted company with the Ammies in May and were subsequently appointed by Chester, Burton was keen to follow them through the exit door.

A deal with Southport – who had a bid accepted by Salford – was agreed, but Burton subsequently had a change of heart and spoke to the club’s owner, former Manchester United and England full-back Neville, who agreed to terminate his deal and allow the tenacious midfielder to move on.

“I think it was the right time for a change,” he said. “Promotion was fantastic and the last few seasons have been brilliant, but the new manager is bringing in a new squad, new ideas.

“Southport came in for me, they made a bid which was accepted by Salford.

“I spoke to their manager Liam Watson and I was all set to go there, I agreed personal terms, but I had second thoughts right at the last minute really.

“The gaffers had been appointed at Chester and I spoke to them and said I fancied a bit of that.

“I went down to the ground, loved it and I felt it was somewhere I could see myself playing next season.

“I speak to Gary (Neville) a lot, I’ve got a lot of time for him having dealt with him over these past three of four years.

“He accepted the bid from Southport, so I’ve been in constant dialogue with him. But he agreed to release me for free so I could join Chester. He has the final say on matters at the club and he’s always been supportive. They are all decent blokes.

“Gary sent me a message and I had a message off Phil (Neville, Salford co-owner and England Women’s head coach) on Wednesday morning too, just wishing me luck on the move.”

Burton, who hails from Warrington, feels there will be just as much pressure on the players’ shoulders at Chester, given their standing in the sixth tier, but is confident the club can secure promotion at the first attempt.

“I’m buzzing to join Chester as it’s a massive club for this level,” he said.

“At Salford, there was always a pressure and an intensity right from the start because of the interest in the team from the media.

“With that pressure comes responsibility but I think we dealt with that well, three promotions would certainly suggest that.

“But I’ve gone to a bigger club now, so there’s even more pressure to get Chester back to where they belong. We’ve got to start winning football matches, there’s nothing more to it than that. Let’s get this club back to where it belongs.”

Burton was a terrace favourite at Salford and has promised to produce plenty of all-action displays for the Blues, who will find out their National League North fixtures on Wednesday, July 4.

“I’m a fit lad, I’ll always give 100 per cent for the team,” he added.

“Even if we’re 3-0 down, I’ll be trying my hardest and I’ll be dragging everyone with me to do the same.

“I like a tackle, I like to kick people. It’s a great chance to get started again with Chester.”