CHESTER FC's expected clear out of players has begun with the club confirming 11 departures with more expected as the club prepare to rebuild ahead of next season.

High profile players George Green, Steve Howson and Ben McKenna had already indicated they would be leaving the Swansway Chester Stadium through their social media accounts and they will now be joined by Jon Moran, Jamal Crawford, Alex Downes, Rhain Hellawell, Connor King, Sean McAllister, John Pritchard and Dominic Smalley.

Both Anthony Dudley and Danny Livesey have also returned to their parent club Salford City following the expiry of their loan deal while Akwasi Asante and Scott Burton are the only two players to remain under contract.

Academy graduates Cain Noble and Lloyd Marsh-Hughes have already penned their first senior deals with the Blues.

Meanwhile, striker Matty Hughes, who has spent the majority of the season sidelined with injury, will get another chance to prove himself, along with midfield veteran Gary Roberts, with the pair invited back for pre-season training with the view to winning a new deal.

Club officials confirmed that discussions are ongoing with other members of the first team squad including Gary Stopforth, Craig Mahon, Bradley Jackson, Simon Grand, Matty Waters, Iwan Murray, George Waring, Matthew Thomson and goalkeepers Theo Roberts and Grant Shenton.

A Chester club statement read: "Those players not mentioned above remain in discussion with club in regards to their future and appropriate announcements will be made on our social channels as and when the outcome of these are concluded.

"To all the players who have left the club, we would like to place on record our sincere thanks for all of your time and efforts whilst with Chester FC and wish you the very best for the future."