Over recent seasons
it hasn’t been easy going being a Chesterfield fan.
Since the departure of the much-loved Paul Cook - on the
back of a League 2 title, EFL Trophy final, and the highest league finish since
the relative “glory years” of 1979-81 - the club’s decline has been rapid,
alarming, and disheartening for Spireites the world over.
Poor managerial appointments, questionable player
recruitment, and shambolic off-field management have all contributed in part to
successive relegations.
But could Town soon be on their way back?
Since the end of this season - and the Blues’ 97-year tenure
in the Football League - the atmosphere around the club has shifted slightly.
Dave Allen, the club’s estranged owner, made his first appearance to the press
since the dramatic AGM meeting back in 2016, during which he resigned as
chairman - and has gone on record to state that he wants to put right what has
gone wrong at the Proact Stadium.
 |
| Allen has had a busy first few weeks as Chesterfield manager. |
Following that, the appointment of Martin Allen, an
experienced manager with the accolades of promotion from both the National
League and League 2, was swiped up as manager following his near-rescue attempt
at Barnet - certainly a statement of intent that the Spireites have no wish to
make non-league football their new permanent home.
In his first couple of weeks at the helm, Allen has spoken
of promotion, sparked internet memes, and has made no haste in transfer listing
a large portion of the squad; many of whom are still under contract for the
coming season.
The Reading-born
manager has certainly been a breath of fresh air in North Derbyshire, with his
often blunt, but mainly well-natured demeanour, coupled with a profound belief
in himself and his ability to do what no less than 4 managers have attempted to
do since the departure of Cook - stop the downward spiral, and get the club
back on its feet.
No doubt many Town fans, who have been feeling undervalued
and disillusioned with the club for some time now, will be grateful for the
change.
It’s also fair to say that the signings made so far have
been a statement of intent from Allen and CFC; they have snapped up experience,
with former National League title winners in veteran defender Michael Nelson,
box-to-box midfielder Curtis Weston and goalkeeper-of-the-year Shwan Jalal, as
well as Will Evans, a defender who reached the playoffs with Aldershot last
season.
All three positions desperately needed strengthening, with
the Spireites seeming incredibly lightweight in defence and midfield for a
couple of seasons now, coupled with some less than convincing goalkeeping
performances from the club’s “first-choice” keeper, Joe Anyon.
Clearly Allen has a vision of the type of team he needs to
build to get the Spireites back to the League; “win at all costs” is his
mentality, and one that has been missing at the Proact for a while.
And with his contagiously positive attitude, coupled with
his track record, who’s to say he can’t turn the ship around? The next season
is certainly shaping up to be an interesting one. Let’s try and enjoy the ride.
Take care,
Tom
Comments
Post a Comment