Former Carlisle United defenders Danny Livesey and Simon Grand have signed for another season with Chester.

Livesey, 36, has agreed to extend his playing career with the Deva Stadium club.

And news of his new deal was soon followed by that of his team-mate and close friend Grand, 37.

It sees Livesey - an influential player in almost a decade with Carlisle - continue with the National League North club he first joined in 2018.

Grand, meanwhile, extends his own three-year stay with the club.

The popular defenders will remain with a number of other ex-Carlisle players at Chester, including George Glendon, Louis Gray and George Waring.

Chester boss Anthony Johnson welcomed the deal for Livesey.

Speaking on the Chester website, he said: “We’ve scouted and scoured the leagues to try and find an able replacement for the ageing fossil that is Danny Livesey, alas our scouting trips have been proven fruitless as nobody comes close to what we get week in, week out from this absolute monster of a defender.

“A leader on and off the pitch, we’re delighted to have him around the place going into his 50th year!”

Livesey made 333 appearances in his time with Carlisle, helping the Blues win back-to-back promotions from the Conference to League One, and going on to establish himself as a key figure in the third tier for United.

He was named in the 2007/8 League One team of the season and is eighth on the club's all-time appearances list.

The ex-Bolton man left Brunton Park in 2014 and played for Barrow and home-city club Salford before moving on to Chester.

He watched the Blues take on Salford as a guest of the Ammies in their League Two meeting this season.

Grand, meanwhile, was also a key part of the squad that achieved successive promotions and reached the 2006 Football League Trophy final.

Chester boss Johnson added: “What can be said about Simon Grand that hasn’t already been said?

“The man is a scientific phenomenon – still putting in top displays game after game, week after week, season after season.

“He’s an unbelievable footballer that takes huge risks but understands the rewards that come from risk-taking.

“A warrior with a wand of a left foot. We’re delighted to have him around the place going into his 60th year!”