Chester Football Club have moved quickly to strengthen their defence by signing Ben Lomax on a one-year contract, with an option to extend for a further year. The 20-year-old arrives from Port Vale and is expected to add physicality and young potential to the centre-back options available to manager Phil Parkinson.
Immediate boost to squad depth at the Deva Stadium
Lomax, who progressed through the Port Vale academy and signed his first professional contract at Vale Park, made six senior appearances for Port Vale — including three in League One — before leaving the club this summer. To gain senior experience he spent time on loan at Peterborough Sports in the National League North and later at Redditch United.
The signing comes as Chester prepare to build on their opening-day victory, a 2-1 win at Chorley, and ahead of Saturday’s home fixture against King's Lynn Town. Parkinson has framed the move as part of a targeted recruitment plan to identify players who fit the club’s defensive profile and potential long-term development.
“We’re delighted to welcome Ben Lomax to Chester Football Club. Ben joins us from Port Vale, where he came through the academy system before signing his first professional contract and progressing into their first-team environment,” said Parkinson on the club’s website.
Parkinson outlined Lomax’s pathway and the thinking behind the capture, noting his loan experiences and the qualities observed during recruitment assessment. The manager added that Lomax “ticked every box” in the club’s talent identification process for a centre-back.
- Age and background: 20 years old, developed at Port Vale’s academy.
- Senior appearances: Six for Port Vale, including three in League One.
- Loan experience: Peterborough Sports (National League North) and Redditch United.
- Contract: One-year deal with option for an additional year.
What Lomax brings and what it means for Chester
At a glance, Lomax offers a blend of academy training at a Football League club and early senior experience gained via loans. For Chester, operating in the National League system, that background can be useful in bolstering a back line against physical and organised opposition.
His arrival increases competition for starting places which, in practical terms, gives Parkinson more flexibility with formations and cover for injuries or suspensions. It also sends a message to supporters and rivals that the club is prepared to recruit young players with a pathway to higher levels of the game.
Supporters will be watching to see how quickly Lomax adapts to Chester’s set-up at the Deva Stadium and how he pairs with existing defensive personnel. The immediate test will come with the home fixture against King's Lynn Town, where Chester will aim to carry momentum from their season opener.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player | Ben Lomax |
| Age | 20 |
| Previous club | Port Vale |
| Senior appearances for Port Vale | 6 (including 3 in League One) |
| Loan clubs | Peterborough Sports; Redditch United |
| Contract | 1 year, with option for further year |
Chester’s transfer window business appears pragmatic: short-term contracts with options allow the club to assess players in competitive action whilst retaining the possibility to keep those who impress. For younger players like Lomax it offers a chance to play regular first-team football and develop under a manager who has signalled clear expectations.
Fans will hope the new signing cements a defence that can deliver consistency through the busy months ahead. The immediate objective remains accumulating points and building confidence; new faces such as Lomax are expected to contribute to that aim without the club committing to long-term financial risk.
With the season under way and early signs positive, the addition of Ben Lomax is a tidy piece of business for a club keen to balance ambition with sensible squad building.
