John Sheridan is the man charged with taking Chesterfield forward in their bright new era as Lee Richardson paid the price for high expectations at Saltergate.
The Spirerites expected to reach at least the play-offs during Richardson’s two seasons at the helm, but despite a wad of goals from
Jack Lester they fell just short.
Richardson was most definitely the fall guy and although the sale of
Jamie Ward to
Sheffield United in the January transfer window didn’t help their cause, he felt he was fighting a losing battle against certain sections of the home support.
Richardson (40) joined
Chesterfield as a player in 2000 and took the hot seat 26 months ago following the sacking of Roy McFarland.
''A section of them wanted a divorce right from the start,'' he said, referring to Chesterfield’s support after they called for his head once again following a final day home defeat to
Bradford.
He added: "We have not been good enough to get promoted this season. It's the second time on the trot we have narrowly missed out. I have been in charge for those two seasons and it's quite simple in some people's eyes where the blame lies.
"We have let too many points slip this season, that's been the real nail in our coffin, but I would like to thank all the supporters for their support, they are entitled to their opinion.
''I feel I can walk out of Chesterfield with my head held high. I've made mistakes but luck was not on our side.”
Not only has Sheridan arrived as the new manager but Chesterfield have benefited from a huge cash injection from former
Sheffield Wednesday chairman Dave Allen.
His £6m bounty ensured that building work could start on their new £13m stadium at Whittington Moor that will replace the dilapidated stadium at Saltergate.
Allen is the new majority shareholder in Chesterfield and is looking forward to a fruitful relationship that he hopes will start with a swansong of promotion in their last season at the ancient Recreation Ground.
"The attraction of the business is it's debt free, it's going to move to a new ground and has massive impetus,” said Allen.
"It's a nice family club and I have the opportunity to develop it. I think the stadium is absolutely knock-out. I was very impressed with it.”
Sheridan will inherit a decent squad of players and a feelgood factor since Allen’s takeover has been the catalyst for their new stadium.
Tommy Wright will be his assistant and Mark Crossley his goalkeeping coach, but they will only have a short honeymoon period as Allen will want an investment on his return quickly, meaning the play-offs are the least of their expectations.
Sheridan, meanwhile, is excited by the challenge and says: “What has become clear in the meetings we've had is the ambition of the club and where they want to go. I want to go far in the game. It's a big challenge and something I'm very confident I can do."
Clarky's verdict on Chesterfield's season
A second season outside the top seven is failure, although the future is looking brighter. 5/10
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