With Chesterfield returning to the Football League after a six-year exodus, we thought we would take a look at the last Spireites team to play in the Football League.
With three games remaining, Town was doomed to consecutive relegations after Morecambe’s point total became unbeatable following a draw with Cambridge United. Ian Evatt, the club captain, served as interim manager over the remainder of the season after manager Jack Lester resigned the day before.
The 42-year-old, who is currently the manager of Bolton Wanderers, headed his squad to Barnet, who was fighting for survival and needed a victory to maintain that hope. In addition, Morecambe’s point against Coventry City forced the Bees into non-league play, where they are still currently.
John Akinde, Richard Brindley, and Alex Nicholls all scored goals to seal an easy victory for the home team and send Chesterfield’s terrible season into yet another tailspin.
After coming back from an arm break to play on the last day, Joe Anyon was the man in goal. Aaron Ramsdale, a youthful goalkeeper who had appeared in 19 games since January, was replaced by him. Anyon moved to Chorley and retired in 2019 after just two more games for the team.
Brad Barry, a summer transfer from Swindon Town, played right defender. He was originally on loan to Dover Athletic, however after six games because to an injury scarcity, he was called back. The defender, who got stuck at Barrow and is currently captain of Eastbourne Borough, is the nephew of legendary Aston Villa player Gareth Barry.
The last member of the final team to leave the Proact Stadium was Laurence Maguire, who left this summer to sign with MK Dons. During his tenure at Spireites, he made 173 appearances on the pitch. The previous season, he was loaned to Crawley Town, who were promoted to League One.
In what turned out to be his last game for the town after signing a free transfer from Burnley, Alex Whitmore partnered with him in the middle of defence. His next team was Grimsby Town, and he went on to play for AFC Fylde. He plays for Solihull Moors at the moment.
In the back four, Jerome Binnom-Williams was the last player. He was a member of the team for its inaugural non-league season, but he quickly left to join FC Halifax Town. The 29-year-old possesses
Drew Talbot was involved in the last game after returning to the club following a failed move to Portsmouth after his contract expired. He would retire at Chesterfield the following season having played a total of 259 times for the club across three spells.
Jordan Sinnott joined the club on a short-term deal in 2018 and played eight times in the league, scoring once against Port Vale. He moved on to Alfreton Town and Matlock Town before his tragic death in January 2020 at the age of 25.
The captain on the day was Robbie Weir, who stayed at the club until 2020. The former Burton Albion midfielder returned to the island of Ireland and joined Waterford, before moving to Belfast club Crusaders where he still plays today.
Jacob Brown was loaned into the club from Barnsley in January, making 13 appearances for Chesterfield. He would return to Oakwell before moving to Stoke City in 2020. Luton Town signed him for their maiden season in the Premier League and scored the winner that sealed their first home win in the top flight.
Up front was Louis Dodds, who joined in January from Shrewsbury Town. He would be loaned out to Port Vale the following season and dropped into non-league football with Chorley. Dodds retired from football this season with Hanley Town, where he is also a coach.
Partnering him up top was Kristian Dennis who was far and away the club’s top scorer that season. He netted 19 of the team’s 47 total league goals. He joined Notts County the following summer, and later moved to Carlisle United and Tranmere Rovers, where he plays today.
Evatt’s substitutes were Giles Coke, who later played for Grimsby before retiring, Joe Rowley, who plays for AFC Fylde and Luke Rawson, who plays for Stocksbridge Park Steels.
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