THERE is a reason why they call Old Trafford the Theatre of Dreams.

Every young footballer who walks through the gates at Manchester United’s Carrington training complex dreams of walking out onto the hallowed turf, though many will never make the grade.

Warrington-born defender James Chester was one of the few who achieved that dream, making his first team debut in the League Cup against Derby County in 2009, but he thought it was a one-off after signing a three-year deal with Hull City in January 2011.

Now the 24-year-old from Birchwood has orchestrated a return to the Premier League, playing in nearly all of Hull City’s Championship campaign that culminated in their dramatic promotion, though the pressure of waiting for the Watford result that eventually sent them up was too much to bear.

“I think that may have been the longest 10 minutes in my life, waiting for that game to finish,” he said.

“I couldn’t watch, I sat in the changing room until I knew their game was over.”

But now the Tigers have cemented their place for next season, the former Gorse Covert Primary School pupil has only one place in his mind.

“I am most looking forward to going back to Old Trafford, that will be special for me,” he said about the club that signed him after spotting him play for Winwick Athletic, aged eight.

“I have always supported United and I always will.”

A string of injuries in his late teens and early 20s meant United allowed their former Reserve team captain to leave, but Chester is far from bitter.

“The move away from United was the right move for me and the switch could not have gone any better,” said City’s 2011/12 players’ player of the season.

“I’ve played more than 100 games in two years and getting better with each one.”

The tutelage of United’s legendary centre back and Hull City boss Steve Bruce will have played its part, and now Chester is in talks with the club to extend his current contract he is raring to test himself against the world’s best.

“I feel like I have improved playing week in, week out and I hope that continues in the Premier League,” he said.

“Because that is what I’m most looking forward to, testing myself against the best in the world.

“I believe I have the ability, but I won’t know for sure until I test myself there next year. “I’m looking forward to finding out.”

 

James Chester  shooting and, left, on the ball