Former Favourite Turnbull Returns To Edgeley Park

Handforth-born Turnbull began his career at Stockport and, after a brief loan spell with Altrincham in 2008, he returned and impressed manager Jim Gannon so much that he played a crucial role in County’s end of season play-off campaign, including that dramatic 3-2 win over Rochdale in the final at Wembley Stadium. By the age of 21, he was club captain.

In June 2011 he signed for Northampton Town but returned to Edgeley Park twice on loan during the next eighteen months.

Experienced in the National League, the 28-year old midfielder also had spells with Altrincham and Lincoln City before becoming Macclesfield Town captain between 2013 and 2016.

Turnbull made twenty-five appearances for Barrow last term – scoring on 2 occasions – joining Chester last June.

Gannon told his club`s official website: “I’m delighted to have signed Paul as his signing is another important step in our rebuilding of the team. I’m grateful to The Board for their support in adding players at this stage of the season. There is still much to play for and it’s great to have an extra midfield option for the run-in especially in light of the issues we are having with some of our midfield players availability, fitness and form. Once fully fit and bedded into the team I believe Paul will bring both a stability and presence, with added organisation and leadership that is important in the heart of our midfield.

“The added depth in the deeper central midfield will also allow players like Jimmy Ball to be used to greater effect in other phases of play.

“It’s also a highly symbolic signing in the club’s intention to replace National League North part-timers with proven full-time players who bring additional fitness, football qualities and experience from higher level football. Whatever level we’re playing at next season, we do need to start the campaign with a strong, settled, well-knitted side. The demands within the National League at all levels require an increasing need for full-time professionalism, high levels of fitness and improving standards of players. We’ve embraced that challenge this season with the changes we have made to our training structures, whilst the players we’re retaining and recruiting for next season will accelerate that growth.”

The 29-year-old, who has made more than 170 appearances for County, goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s home clash with Brackley Town.