FORMER York City promotion winner Mitch Hancox will play in the Vanarama National League North next season.

The versatile midfielder has signed for Chester on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 campaign - his fourth club over the last 12 months.

Hancox first joined the Minstermen on loan from Hereford in 2021, going on to make the permanent move to the club after playing his part in their promotion to the Vanarama National League at the end of the season.

He penned a two-year contract extension in January 2023 but fell out of favour, featuring just three times for York in 2023-24.

The 30-year-old made seven appearances for Hartlepool United on loan midway through the campaign, before seeing his City contract terminated by mutual consent in March.

He wasted no time in joining Altrincham for the remainder of the season, starting all but one of their final nine fixtures as they secured a fourth-placed finish before falling to a 3-1 defeat to eventual promotion winners Bromley in the play-off semi-finals.

Hancox, who began his career with Birmingham City, was also promoted with both Macclesfield Town and MK Dons.

Read next:

He will add valuable experience to Chester as they look to improve on last season’s 10th-placed finish.

Manager Calum McIntyre told the club: “I’m really pleased to have added a player of Mitch’s experience to the group. He was one of our targets when he left Altrincham and I am really pleased we have got this done.

“He has won three promotions in his career and this experience is exactly what we wanted to add. He has a terrific engine and will add real legs and athletic qualities to our group. He is a left footer which ensures balance in the middle of the pitch for us.

“This completes our midfield for the season ahead. We set out to add athleticism and experience across the pitch and I think this is another signing that reflects that.

“We just need to be clear that we don’t want to sign players for the sake of signing players and we have to work within our budget.”