WARRINGTON’S James Chester can look back with pride on his contribution to Wales’ historic Euro 2016 campaign.

After playing in every minute for Chris Coleman’s men in France during the run to the semi finals, the 27-year-old former Birchwood Community High School student cemented his place in Welsh footballing folklore as the team’s amazing homecoming scenes in Cardiff highlighted on Friday.

Al though he will not have too long to reflect with just over a month to go until the start of the new Premier League season – in which he will play a key role with West Bromwich Albion – Chester showed his versatility by featuring on the right, left and at the heart of the Wales defence.

And in the 3-1 defeat of highly fancied Belgium in the quarter finals at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille he played his part in Wales’ greatest win in history, securing the country’s highest tournament placing in their first finals appearance since the World Cup of 1958.

In last week’s semi-final showdown with eventual winners Portugal, he found himself defending against his former Manchester United clubmates Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani.

And to think all this started when playing for Winwick Athletic in his early years, featuring in the under nines team when he was only five years old.

Those performances caught the attention of United, who swooped to sign him to their academy at the age of eight.

After making his way through, he was offered a trainee contract at the age of 16 and began playing for the club’s under 18 side.

He spent two seasons as a regular for the youth team before stepping up to reserve level in 2007.

Chester was made captain for the 2008-09 season and given the first-team squad number of 39.

His long-awaited United debut came as a substitute for defender Gary Neville in a League Cup tie against Derby County at Old Trafford in January, 2009.

However, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson decided the young star would benefit from regular first-team football elsewhere.

Chester spent time on loan to League One outfit Peterborough United and then Plymouth Argyle.

In a cruel twist, Chester suffered a serious knee injury on his third appearance for the Devon club.

Upon regaining his fitness, Chester joined League One side Carlisle United for his most successful loan spell, scoring four times in 23 appearances.

A £300,000 move to Hull City was completed and he helped the Tigers to promotion in 2013 under Steve Bruce.

His dream of playing Premier League football was realised with Hull.

And when the Tigers reached the FA Cup Final in 2014 Chester opened the scoring before Arsenal came back to win the game 3-2.

His form caught the eye of Wales boss Coleman and Chester agreed to represent the nation of his mother’s birth, making his debut in a friendly against Holland in 2014.

After Hull were relegated from the top flight, Chester expressed his desire to remain in the Premier League and West Brom signed him for a reported £8 million.

After making 19 appearances and establishing himself in the side towards the back end of last season, Chester is set for big things in the coming season.