Phil Parkinson, the newly appointed manager of Chester Football Club, has signaled ambitious targets for the National League North side as they seek to build on a strong start to the 2026 season. Parkinson, 45, took charge in July following a period of high expectations shaped by three play-off appearances over the past four years, including a final reached two seasons ago.

Since his arrival at the Deva Stadium, Parkinson has overseen a perfect record from the first four matches, marking Chester’s best season-opening performance since 2012. Drawing on his previous success guiding Altrincham from Step 3 to Step 1 within nine years, Parkinson emphasized the need for sustained excellence to secure promotion.

“I’m somebody who enjoys the fact that I need to produce every single week, every single game, every single day because that gets the best out of me,” Parkinson said. He acknowledged the challenge his team faces in meeting the supporters’ high expectations, stating that merely qualifying for the play-offs would be insufficient. “If I don’t deliver on that in the two seasons that I’ve given myself, I would have failed.”

Parkinson is aware that a strong start alone will not guarantee success, stressing the importance of maintaining momentum throughout the season. “You’ve got to finish well,” he noted. He also recognized that as the team currently leads the division, they will become a target for other clubs, which could elevate players’ performances. “If that raises their levels, it raises our levels as a football club.”

The manager highlighted the constraints of the club’s financial situation but believes a united effort can still make Chester competitive in the league. “We still have to punch above our weight. We can’t go out and get the best players, but we can certainly be the best team if we’re all pulling in the same direction,” Parkinson said.

He also expressed a desire to provide supporters with more than just grit and determination, aiming to deliver an attractive style of play that the fans can take pride in. “We want to give them a high quality brand of football, which I feel we’re delivering on at the moment,” he added.

With a two-year timeframe set for achieving promotion, Parkinson has laid down clear expectations for himself and his squad as Chester looks to capitalize on its promising start and break through where previous campaigns have fallen short.