Hall and Chester go separate ways
Freddy Hall, the Bermuda goalkeeper, admitted that he was “gutted” to leave cash-strapped Chester after failing to agree terms with the Vanarama Premier side.
Hall, who made four first-team appearances at the Deva Stadium, had been playing without pay in a bid to earn a permanent deal with his representatives covering his hotel costs.
It is understood that Hall’s demands were not excessive but his management team requested that his registration be cancelled after a deal collapsed on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old is now hoping that his return to the football wilderness will be short-lived with other clubs believed to be interested in the 6ft 2in goalkeeper.
Before joining Chester, Hall had been without a club since his release by Burton Albion at the end of the last season after a three-month spell at the Sky Bet League Two outfit.
“I’m kind of gutted but I’ve just got to move forward and keep going,” Hall told the Chester Chronicle.
“I sort of wasn’t surprised at how things turned out but I wish the club nothing but success in the future.
“I definitely want to find another club in England and I just want to wish the team and the fans well.
“I want to thank them for their support and for giving me the experience.”
The former Toronto and Northampton Town player said that he had cherished his brief stint at the club and praised their fans for their “unbelievable support”.
“It’s a great set-up and there’s a real family atmosphere around the club,” said Hall, who was signed on a non-contract basis after impressing on trial.
“The fans have been unbelievable from day one and I didn’t expect that kind of support.
“The passion the fans have is unbelievable and that’s definitely something that I will cherish because I haven’t come across that level of support before.
“The team are definitely good enough to improve and pick up some more wins and I wish them well for the rest of the season.”
Steve Burr, the Chester manager, hailed Hall as a “true pro” but said that he had not expected him to accept the terms offered.
“I’m very disappointed that we’ve not been able to sort him out,” said Burr, whose side are seventeenth in the table.
“I can only put in front of him what I think is the best use of what’s available to me.
“I brought him to the club and he’s done very well but unfortunately we haven’t been able to do anything for him. I was hopeful there would be some money released to make him a better offer and he knows that but that’s not happened.
“He’s been first class and I’ll do everything I can to help him find another club.”
Yesterday, Chester signed free agent Connor Roberts, who was released by Sky Bet League Two side Cheltenham Town at the end of last season, as a replacement for Hall.
Roberts moved to Everton, where he spent four years, from Tranmere Rovers as a teenager before having loan spells at non-League teams Burscough and Colwyn Bay.
The 21-year-old, who was in the Wales squad that faced Holland in May, has been training with Chester since last week.
He will be included in Burr’s squad for the trip to Gateshead tomorrow and will compete with Jon Worsnop for the No 1 shirt.
Hall, who has won six caps for Bermuda, has gained some first-team experience over the last few seasons, playing 11 matches for Major League Soccer side Toronto in the 2012 season, as well as making three appearances for League Two side Northampton in the 2011-12 campaign.