After leaving Aldershot in 1989 he trained as an accountant and moved into non-league football with Whitley Bay.
He spent six years with Bay, scoring 120 goals in 260 appearances, moving to Durham City in 1995.
He subsequently played for South Shields, Durham City again, and Blyth Spartans before rejoining Whitley Bay in the 2001 close-season.
On 12 May 2002 Chandler scored against Tiptree United with a powerful header in extra-time at Villa Park to win the FA Vase for Whitley Bay for the first time in their history.
[4] On 10 May 2009, Chandler led Whitey Bay to their second FA Vase triumph beating Glossope North End, becoming the first man in the competition's history to win as both player and manager.