James Chester

Chester was born in Warrington, and attended Birchwood Community High School.{{cite web |title=James Chester returns to his roots to open refurbished 3G pitch at Birchwood Community High School |url=https://www.pitchcare.com/news-media/james-chester-returns-to-his-roots-to-open-refurbished-3g-pitch-at-birchwood-community-high-school.html |website=Pitchcare.com |date=15 April 2019 |access-date=3 February 2020}} He began his career with his local club, Winwick Athletic.{{cite web |title=Warrington-born James Chester set to line up for Wales in Euro 2016 semi-final against Portugal |url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/14600939.warrington-born-james-chester-set-to-line-up-for-wales-in-euro-2016-semi-final-against-portugal/ |website=Warrington Guardian |date=6 July 2016 |access-date=3 February 2020}} At the age of eight, he joined the Manchester United Academy, and signed a trainee contract at the age of 16 in July 2005. At the end of the season, he played in the teams for both the FA Youth Cup and Manchester Senior Cup finals. However, the teams lost both finals, losing to Liverpool on penalties in the former and to Manchester City in the latter.{{cite web |title=James Chester: The former Manchester United defender who Fergie regretted selling impressing at Euro 2016 |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/sport-opinion/james-chester-former-manchester-united-11541405 |website=North Wales Live |date=29 June 2016 |access-date=3 February 2020}}

In July 2007, Chester signed his first professional contract with United. After being named as a substitute for the first team's 1–0 win over Bolton Wanderers on 17 January 2009,{{cite news |first=Nabil |last=Hassan |title=Bolton 0–1 Man Utd |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7815605.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=17 January 2009 |access-date=20 January 2009}} Chester was again selected as a substitute for the League Cup semi-final second leg against Derby County. With United 3–0 up at the time, Chester came on as a 67th-minute substitute for Gary Neville. Although Derby pulled two goals back, United ended up winning the match 4–2, meaning that they won the tie 4–3 on aggregate and qualified for the 2009 League Cup final.{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Bevan |title=Man Utd 4–2 Derby (4–3 agg) |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7824155.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=20 January 2009 |access-date=20 January 2009}}

On 2 February 2009, Chester joined League One club Peterborough United – managed by Alex Ferguson's son, Darren – on a one-month loan.{{cite news |title=Man Utd's Chester moves to Posh |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/peterborough_united/7864630.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=2 February 2009 |access-date=2 February 2009}} He made five appearances for the Posh before returning to Manchester United on 2 March.{{cite web |title=Chester returns to Old Trafford |url=http://www.theposh.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10427~1575032,00.html |publisher=Peterborough United F.C. |date=2 March 2009 |access-date=2 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306170452/http://www.theposh.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10427~1575032,00.html |archive-date=6 March 2009 }} Towards the end of the season, along with Tom Cleverley and Corry Evans, Chester was nominated by reserve team manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær for the Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year award.{{cite web |first=Adam |last=Bostock |title=Reserve Player of the Year |url=http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=6629830 |publisher=Manchester United F.C. |date=1 April 2009 |access-date=1 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404024414/http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BB4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70%7D&newsid=6629830 |archive-date=4 April 2009 |url-status=dead }}

On 18 September 2009, Chester joined Championship club Plymouth Argyle on a three-month loan along with his Manchester United teammate David Gray.{{cite web|title=Graychester |url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~1801046,00.html |publisher=Plymouth Argyle F.C. |date=18 September 2009 |access-date=18 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922182730/http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10364~1801046%2C00.html |archive-date=22 September 2009 }} However, in his third appearance for the Pilgrims, Chester suffered cartilage damage that would rule him out of action for 10–12 weeks, beyond the scheduled end of his loan spell. He therefore returned to Manchester United on 13 October 2009.{{cite web |title=Chester returns |url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~1825411,00.html |publisher=Plymouth Argyle F.C. |date=13 October 2009 |access-date=13 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091017153527/http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~1825411,00.html |archive-date=17 October 2009 }}

On 3 August 2010, Chester joined League One club Carlisle United on loan until 3 January 2011, after impressing in a trial match against Hibernian on 1 August.{{cite news |title=Carlisle United sign Manchester United's James Chester |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/carlisle_united/8878713.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=3 August 2010 |access-date=3 August 2010}} He made his competitive debut on 7 August, starting at centre-back in Carlisle's 2–0 home win over Brentford on the opening day of the league season.{{cite news |title=Carlisle 2–0 Brentford |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8842029.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=7 August 2010 |access-date=5 January 2011}} Over the course of his loan spell, Chester scored four goals for Carlisle in 23 appearances in all competitions, including the winning goal in Carlisle's 3–2 FA Cup second round win over Tamworth.{{cite news |title=Carlisle 3–2 Tamworth |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/9206726.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=27 November 2010 |access-date=5 January 2011}}

File:James Chester 21-07-2014 1.jpg in 2014]]

On 17 December 2010, Chester expressed an interest in staying at Carlisle beyond the end of his loan contract,{{cite news |title=James Chester keen on Carlisle United stay |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/carlisle_united/9298928.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=17 December 2010 |access-date=5 January 2011}} but the transfer window brought with it talk of Chester making a transfer to Championship club Hull City, with Hull manager Nigel Pearson going public on 3 January with his interest in the defender.{{cite news |title=Defender Andy Dawson agrees new Hull City extension |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/9334674.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=3 January 2011 |access-date=5 January 2011}} The next day, Hull had a bid believed to be worth around £300,000 accepted by Manchester United, and Chester underwent a medical on 6 January.{{cite news |title=Manchester United accept Hull City's James Chester bid |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/9335236.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=4 January 2011 |access-date=5 January 2011}} The transfer was completed on 7 January, with Chester signing a three-and-a-half-year contract.{{cite news |title=Hull City sign Manchester United defender James Chester |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/9335236.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=7 January 2011 |access-date=7 January 2011}} He made his debut in the 2–0 home win against Barnsley on 15 January 2011.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/9355968.stm |title=Hull 2–0 Barnsley |work=BBC Sport |date=15 January 2011 |access-date=17 January 2011}} Chester scored his first goal for the club in the 2–2 draw against Leeds United at the KC Stadium on 1 February 2011.{{cite news |title=Hull 2–2 Leeds |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/9376661.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=1 February 2011 |access-date=1 February 2011}} Chester adjusted well to the Championship, putting in several strong performances as Hull finished the 2010–11 season in 11th position.{{cite web |title=The seven January signings that saved Hull City's 2010–11 season – Where are they now? |url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hull-city-january-transfer-window-1040189 |website=Hull Daily Mail |date=10 January 2018 |access-date=3 February 2020}} Chester enjoyed a strong year in his second season at Hull, playing almost every game under managers Nigel Pearson and Nick Barmby in central defence, forming a successful partnership with Jack Hobbs. This partnership was for a long period the basis of the tightest defence in the league as they conceded 44 goals with only champions Reading conceding less.{{cite web |title=McShane makes his case for improving in defence |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/hull-city/mcshane-makes-his-case-for-improving-in-defence-1-5060165 |website=Yorkshire Post |date=25 October 2012 |access-date=3 February 2020}} Chester finished the season as runner-up in the club's player of the year awards.{{cite news |title=Hull City: Player of the year Robert Koren says foundations have been laid |url=http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Hull-City-Player-year-Robert-Koren-says/story-15899578-detail/story.html |newspaper=Hull Daily Mail |date=24 April 2012 |access-date=11 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619002449/http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Hull-City-Player-year-Robert-Koren-says/story-15899578-detail/story.html |archive-date=19 June 2012}}

Under new manager Steve Bruce, Chester quickly became accustomed to playing as part of a three-man defence in the team's new system, alongside a combination of Abdoulaye Faye, manager's son Alex Bruce, Paul McShane, and Jack Hobbs. Chester scored his first goal of the season in a 3–2 victory away to Birmingham City on 17 November 2012.{{cite news |title=Birmingham 2–3 Hull City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20278453 |work=BBC Sport |date=17 November 2012 |access-date=14 March 2017}} Chester played 48 times for Hull in 2012–13 helping the Tigers gain promotion on the final day of the season.{{cite news |title=Hull 2–2 Cardiff |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22320548 |access-date=3 February 2020}} On 26 June 2013, Chester signed a new three-year contract with Hull.{{cite web |url=http://www.hullcitytigers.com//news/article/201314-chester-new-deal-877364.aspx |title=Chester signs new contract |publisher=Hull City A.F.C. |date=26 June 2013 |access-date=26 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227155723/http://www.hullcitytigers.com//news/article/201314-chester-new-deal-877364.aspx |archive-date=27 December 2013}}

Chester made his Premier League debut on 18 August 2013 at Stamford Bridge in a 2–0 away defeat to Chelsea.{{cite news |title=Chelsea 2–0 Hull |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23653975 |access-date=3 February 2020}} Five games into his debut season as a first-team player in the Premier League, Chester was ruled out for an initial six-to-eight weeks after pulling his hamstring against Newcastle United on 21 September 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.hullcitytigers.com//news/article/201314-chester-hamstring-injury-1076188.aspx |title=Hamstring fears confirmed |publisher=Hull City A.F.C. |date=25 September 2013 |access-date=14 March 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827152726/http://www.hullcitytigers.com//news/article/201314-chester-hamstring-injury-1076188.aspx |archive-date=27 August 2016 }} After two months out injured,{{cite news |first=Alex |last=Richards |title=Hull City defender James Chester could return for suspended Curtis Davies as Tigers head to Arsenal |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/hull-city-team-news-james-2878308 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=London |date=3 December 2013 |access-date=26 December 2013}} he made his return in Hull's 2–0 defeat away to Arsenal on 4 December.{{cite news |first=Alistair |last=Magowan |title=Arsenal 2–0 Hull City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25115947 |work=BBC Sport |date=4 December 2013 |access-date=14 March 2017}} Chester scored his first goal of the 2013–14 season in the fourth minute of Hull City's Boxing Day match against Manchester United; however, he later scored a second-half own goal to give Manchester United a 3–2 victory.{{cite news |first=Graham |last=Chase |title=Hull City 2–3 Manchester United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25442218 |work=BBC Sport |date=26 December 2013 |access-date=14 March 2017}} On 17 May 2014, he started in the 2014 FA Cup final against Arsenal and scored to put his side 1–0 up, although Hull went on to lose 3–2.{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Arsenal 3–2 Hull City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27354148 |work=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2014 |access-date=14 March 2017}} Chester played 28 times in 2014–15 as Hull had a difficult campaign and were relegated to the Championship, finishing three points from safety.{{cite news |title=Premier League relegation will not affect Wales, says James Chester |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33073180 |access-date=3 February 2020}}

On 29 July 2015, Chester joined Premier League club West Bromwich Albion on a four-year contract for a reported fee of £8 million.{{cite web |url=http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/wba-albion-james-chester-2578222.aspx |title=Defender pens four-year deal |publisher=West Bromwich Albion F.C. |date=29 July 2015 |access-date=29 July 2015}}{{cite news |title=James Chester: West Bromwich Albion sign £8m Hull defender |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33689365 |work=BBC Sport |date=29 July 2015 |access-date=14 March 2017}} Chester made his West Brom debut on 10 August appearing in a 3–0 defeat to Manchester City.{{cite news |title=West Brom 0–3 Man City |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33754829 |access-date=3 February 2020}} On 25 August, Chester started for West Brom in a League Cup match against Port Vale, both sides failed to score and the game went to penalties, Chester scored the decisive penalty enabling West Brom to progress to the next round of the competition.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33969990 |title=West Bromwich Albion 0–0 Port Vale |work=BBC Sport |date=25 August 2015 |access-date=14 March 2017}} West Brom manager Tony Pulis played Chester in unfamiliar full-back roles instead of centre-back leading to Chester becoming unhappy at the Hawthorns.{{cite news |title=James Chester fears lack of club games could affect Wales chances |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34830738 |access-date=3 February 2020}}{{cite web |title=Revealed: Why revenge over Tony Pulis was so sweet for Aston Villa's James Chester |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/revealed-revenge-over-tony-pulis-14667383 |website=Birmingham Mail |date=16 May 2018 |access-date=3 February 2020}} In August 2016 West Brom accepted a bid for Chester from Aston Villa.{{cite news |title=James Chester: West Brom accept Aston Villa bid for Wales centre-back |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37049517 |access-date=3 February 2020}}

On 12 August 2016, Chester signed a four-year contract with newly relegated Championship club Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee, believed to have been more than the £8 million West Brom paid Hull.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37060998 |title=James Chester: West Brom defender signs for Aston Villa |work=BBC Sport |date=12 August 2016 |access-date=12 August 2016}} Chester scored his first goal for Villa, the only goal of the game, against Derby County on 25 February 2017.{{cite news |title=Aston Villa 1–0 Derby |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39011742 |access-date=3 February 2020}} Chester made 46 appearances in 2016–17 as Villa had a forgettable campaign, finishing 13th. Chester was an ever-present in 2017–18 playing in 50 matches as Villa reached the 2018 EFL Championship play-off final but lost 1–0 to Fulham.{{cite news |title=Aston Villa 1–0 Fulham |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44178427 |access-date=3 February 2020}}{{cite web |title=End of Season Review: Aston Villa's Report Card From the 2017/18 Campaign |url=https://www.90min.com/posts/6078917-end-of-season-review-aston-villa-s-report-card-from-the-2017-18-campaign |website=90 Min |access-date=3 February 2020 |archive-date=3 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203141435/https://www.90min.com/posts/6078917-end-of-season-review-aston-villa-s-report-card-from-the-2017-18-campaign |url-status=dead }}

Chester began the 2018–19 campaign as a main stay of the team before he suffered a knee injury in January 2019 ruling him out of the remainder of the season.{{cite web |title='Something angry going on' – Aston Villa lift the lid on James Chester's injury nightmare |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/something-angry-going-on-james-15838398 |website=Birmingham Mail |date=15 February 2019 |access-date=3 February 2020}} In his absence Villa again reached the play-off final where this time they were successful, beating Derby County 2–1.{{cite news |title=Aston Villa 2–1 Derby |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48331145 |access-date=3 February 2020}} Speaking at the end of the season Chester revealed that his knee injury is long standing problem and that he had been having to play through the pain barrier earlier in the season.{{cite web |title=Aston Villa star James Chester's worrying revelation as he reveals the depth of his sacrifice |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-star-james-chesters-16343599 |website=Wales Online |date=28 May 2019 |access-date=3 February 2020}} Chester made his return from injury on 18 December 2019 in a 5–0 EFL Cup win over Liverpool.{{cite news |title=James Chester: Aston Villa captain hoping for brighter times after injury woes |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50839304 |access-date=3 February 2020}} On 25 June 2020, it was confirmed that Chester had been released by Aston Villa, signing a contract extension to allow him to finish the Championship season with Stoke City before becoming a free agent.{{cite web|date=25 June 2020|title=Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 released lists|url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/1697130|access-date=25 June 2020|website=Premier League}}

Chester joined Stoke City on 31 January 2020 on loan for the remainder of the 2019–20 season.{{cite web |title=Stoke City had to see off competition from number of rivals to land Aston Villa hero |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-city-transfer-james-chester-3798955 |website=Stoke Sentinel |date=31 January 2020 |access-date=31 January 2020}} He made his debut on 8 February 2020 in a 3–1 win against Charlton Athletic.{{cite news |title=Stoke 3–1 Charlton |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51268138 |access-date=23 July 2020}} The season was suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restarted in June with Chester extending his loan to cover the remaining matches.{{cite web |title=Stoke City clinch new agreement with Aston Villa about James Chester |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-city-clinch-new-agreement-4187857 |website=BBC Sport |date=3 June 2020 |access-date=23 July 2020}} He made 16 appearances for Stoke in 2019–20 helping them to avoid relegation from the Championship.{{cite web |title='Delighted' – Stoke City boss gives update on loan defender James Chester |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-city-james-chester-contract-4347474 |website=Stoke Sentinel |date=20 July 2020 |access-date=23 July 2020}} Chester signed a one-year contract with Stoke on 10 August 2020.{{cite web |title=Chester completes permanent move |url=https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2020/august/Chester-completes-permanent-move/ |website=Stoke City |date=10 August 2020 |access-date=10 August 2020}} He made 33 appearances in 2020–21 as Stoke finished in 14th position. In 2021–22 Chester was mainly used as back-up by Michael O'Neill, making 22 appearances and he was released by Stoke at the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2022/may/10/club-confirm-quartet-to-leave/|title=Club confirm quartet to leave|website=www.stokecityfc.com|date=10 May 2022|accessdate=10 May 2022}}{{cite web |title=Aston Villa hero retirement hint as Stoke City exit looms |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-city-james-chester-contract-7052821 |website=Stoke Sentinel |date=8 May 2022 |access-date=16 May 2022}}

On 6 July 2022, Chester joined recently relegated League One club Derby County on a one-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2022/07/rams-complete-signing-of-wales-international-defender-chester|title=Rams complete signing of Wales international defender Chester|website=dcfc.co.uk|publisher=Derby County FC|date=6 July 2022|accessdate=6 July 2022}} Chester's time at Derby was plagued by continuing injuries. After missing the opening eight games of the season, Chester made his debut in a 2–1 win over Wycombe Wanderers. He appeared in the following five league games before going off injured in a 0–0 draw against Exeter City in October 2022. He returned to fitness but was injured in the warm-up prior to the 4–0 home win over Accrington Stanley in January 2023 before making an appearance.{{cite web|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-bird-chester-injuries-8207310|title=James Chester, Max Bird – Derby County injury update ahead of Shrewsbury clash|website=derbytelegraph.co.uk|publisher=Derbyshirelive|date=2 March 2023|accessdate=18 April 2023}} Chester made his first appearance in six months when he started in Derby's 2–0 win over Forest Green Rovers in April 2023, but was substituted through injury after 76-minutes, which would prove to bring his season to an end after just seven appearances, with 35 games missed through injury.{{cite web|url=https://therealefl.co.uk/2023/04/18/derby-county-suffer-blow-in-play-off-push/|title=Derby County Suffer Blow In Play-Off Push|website=therealefl.co.uk|publisher=The Real EFL|date=18 April 2023|accessdate=18 April 2023}} Chester was not retained by Derby at the end of the season and became a free agent.{{cite web|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2023/05/derby-county-retained-list-may-2023|title=DERBY COUNTY RETAINED LIST: MAY 2023|website=dcfc.co.uk|publisher=Derby County Football Club|date=10 May 2023|accessdate=14 May 2023}}

On 1 September 2023, Chester joined Barrow of League Two on a deal until January 2024,{{cite news |first=Jon |last=Colman |url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/23763061.james-chester-ex-carlisle-united-loan-star-joins-barrow-afc/ |title=James Chester: ex-Carlisle United loan star joins Barrow AFC |publisher=News & Star |date=1 September 2023 |access-date=1 September 2023}} subsequently extended until summer 2024. On 1 May 2024, the club revealed it had offered Chester another contract.{{cite web |date=1 May 2024 |title=James Chester: Barrow offer new deal to defender as 10 released |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cy73yl29llno |access-date=1 May 2024 |website=BBC Sport }}

On 17 July 2024, Chester joined fellow League Two side Salford City.{{cite web|url=https://www.salfordcityfc.co.uk/news/2024/july/17/james-chester-signs/|title=Former Wales international joins Salford|website=www.salfordcityfc.co.uk|date=17 July 2024|accessdate=17 July 2024}} Injuries meant that Chester could only make two appearances by 13 February 2025, when he announced that he was retiring from football at the age of 36.{{cite web |date=13 February 2025 |title=James Chester: Former Wales, Hull City and Aston Villa defender retires |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c2k5e5n1exxo |access-date=13 February 2025 |website=BBC Sport }}

File:AUT vs. WAL 2016-10-06 (126).jpg in 2016]]

Born in England, Chester qualifies to play for Wales as his mother was born in Rhyl.{{cite news |title=Wales: Hull City defender James Chester pledges future to Wales |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27313679 |work=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2014 |access-date=14 March 2017}} He made his debut for Wales on 4 June 2014, starting in a friendly against the Netherlands.{{cite news |title=Wales: Chester called up for Wales |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27520243 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 May 2014 |access-date=14 March 2017}}{{cite news |first=Bruce |last=Pope |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27383417 |title=Netherlands 2–0 Wales |work=BBC Sport |date=4 June 2014 |access-date=14 March 2017}}

Chester played all six games in Wales's journey to the semi-final of Euro 2016, playing on the right-hand side of the team's central defensive three.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/teams/144--wales/|title=UEFA EURO 2016 - History - Wales – UEFA.com|last=uefa.com|website=UEFA|access-date=10 January 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/james-chester-wales-unheralded-hero-11527409|title=James Chester: Wales' unheralded hero having a Euro 2016 to be proud of|last=Wathan|first=Chris|date=26 June 2016|work=northwales|access-date=10 January 2018}}

{{notelist}}

{{updated|match played 18 December 2018}}{{NFT player |id=55687 |name=Chester, James |accessdate=14 March 2017}}

Hull City

• Football League Championship runner-up: 2012–13{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2013–2014 |year=2013 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7553-6413-8 |pages=194–195}}
• FA Cup runner-up: 2013–14

Aston Villa

• EFL Championship Playoff Winner - 2019

Individual

• Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year: 2007–08{{cite news |first=Adam |last=Bostock |title=De Laet's delight |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2010/May/De-Laets-delight.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013055232/http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2010/May/De-Laets-delight.aspx |archive-date=13 October 2012 |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United Football Club |date=4 May 2010 |access-date=4 May 2020}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Soccerbase}}

{{Aston Villa F.C. Player of the Season}}

{{Wales squad UEFA Euro 2016}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chester, James}}

Category:1989 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Warrington

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Welsh men's footballers

Category:21st-century Welsh sportsmen

Category:Wales men's international footballers

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:Manchester United F.C. players

Category:Peterborough United F.C. players

Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players

Category:Carlisle United F.C. players

Category:Hull City A.F.C. players

Category:West Bromwich Albion F.C. players

Category:Aston Villa F.C. players

Category:Stoke City F.C. players

Category:Derby County F.C. players

Category:Barrow A.F.C. players

Category:Salford City F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Premier League players

Category:UEFA Euro 2016 players

Category:English people of Welsh descent

Category:21st-century English sportsmen