CHESTER boss Anthony Johnson has dismissed rumours linking him with the vacant manager's role at League One side Bury as 'laughable'.

Johnson and joint-manager Bernard Morley, who both hail from the Greater Manchester town, have been installed as even-money favourites by bookmakers Skybet to be appointed at Gigg Lane.

The vacancy arose following Ryan Lowe's departure to Plymouth Argyle last week, with the north west club currently in the grip of a financial crisis and facing a winding up order.

A lifelong fan of The Shakers, Johnson insists there has been no contact from the club and does not expect to be approached about the role.

"I think it's a case of people knowing that I'm a fan of the club and that Bernard and me live in the area and making a lazy assumption really", he said.

"The club's facing serious financial problems right now. There's no money there, there's not even a chairman in place so I don't know who would have even have made an approach if there had been one.

"You'd normally hear other managers say that it's flattering to be linked with a move to a higher league club, but it's not the case with this one.

"From my point of view this is just speculation - it's not like we're at the top of the list for the job on merit, as we'd like to be.

"I think the people who assume that me and Bernard would take the job think that we're a cheap option and that we'd be a convenient low-cost appointment.

"I'm not a money-man, by any means, but I have a family to support. Anyone who thinks I'd do the Bury job for free just because I'm a supporter needs a reality check."

Johnson added that the speculation would not be a distraction for himself and Morley as the duo head into their second season in charge at Chester.

A failure to reach the National League North play-off spots last season has only sharpened the pair's promotion ambitions next term.

And with further squad additions expected to be confirmed before the end of the week, Johnson is focused solely on success with the Blues.

"As far as I'm concerned me and Bernard are with Chester for the long-haul", he added.

"This is a long-term project and we feel that we've laid some foundations last season that we can build on.

"We're looking forwards with Chester and we want to get this club knocking on the door of the Football League again."