Veteran former Carlisle United defender Simon Grand has joined a new club in non-league.

The 38-year-old has signed for North West Counties League side Charnock Richard.

The move comes after experienced Grand left National League North outfit Chester after four years.

It is a club for whom Grand played as a boy and the ex-Blues centre-half has expressed his delight at the move.

"Nearly 30 years ago I last played for the club. And now I couldn’t be any prouder in trying to help them achieve promotion this season," he posted on Twitter.

"Thanks to @donnellan9 [manager Ryan Donnellan for the opportunity and I’ll be giving 100% for the club that has a very special place in my heart."

Charnock Richard said they were delighted to sign a player with Grand's "wealth of experience".

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Grand's departure from Chester was the end of an era at the time his fellow ex-Carlisle stalwart Danny Livesey also left.

While Livesey has retired, Grand is continuing a long career which included 47 appearances over two-and-a-half years with Carlisle.

He was with the Blues from 2004-7 and was a part of Paul Simpson's promotion-winning squads in the Conference in 2004/5 and League Two in 2005/6.

Grand also struck crucial goals during United's run to the Football League Trophy final in 2006.

He has also played for Rochdale, Grimsby Town, Morecambe, Northwich Victoria, Fleetwood Town, Southport, Telford, Barrow, Salford City and AFC Fylde.