A SPECIAL DAY
Captain Callum Reynolds looks back on Barnet’s FA Cup giantkilling act in Sheffield
HOME-again Chesterfield manager John Sheridan is in the hunt for “two or three players” in the fight to avoid the unthinkable of a third successive relegation.
The 54-year-old was formally unveiled on a three-year deal on Wednesday as the struggling National League club’s sixth full-time boss since Paul Cook led them to the dizzy heights of the League One play-offs as recently as May 2015. It is also Sheridan’s eighth job since a rollercoaster first spell at Chesterfield from 2009 to 2012 included both promotion from and relegation back to League Two.
Sheridan’s decision to resign from Carlisle United, fifth in League Two before yesterday’s fixtures, was more of a surprise to those unaware of his personal geography and affinity with the Spireites, including a good relationship with the club’s majority shareholder who previously sacked him.
“Once I knew the club was interested, knowing Dave (Allen) and how well we got on last time was a big plus. I knew what I was coming to,” he said.
“It was a difficult decision; we were having a decent season, getting in a play-off position with Carlisle, but I probably wouldn’t have moved anywhere else.
“I’ve come with the belief and the confidence to get the club back to where it was a couple of years ago.”
Sheridan, who is being assisted at the Proact by the experienced Glynn Snodin, admitted that hearing about the fortunes of the Spireites from afar had been uncomfortable.
After an initial threematch winning run under Martin Allen, Chesterfield have won just once in 23 National League matches to stand two points from safety after last weekend’s incredible 3-3 draw against Ebbsfleet United. “I was at a game at Scunthorpe and I’m looking at the score at half-time, 3-0 down and thinking ‘oh deary me’. “But getting a point out of that game in the position they’re in shows good signs.” Sheridan was due to take his second bow at yesterday’s FA Trophy clash with Bedford Town, but added: “The most
thing, my only focus, is to keep them in the league.
“There’s a lot of rebuilding to do, but it’s a short time now until the end of the season and it would be devastating to go down.
“We’re not even thinking like that, we’re pushing on now.”
Sheridan explained that two or three new signings would help with owner Allen saying there was little budget save the backing for the new boss to get the players he needs.
Sheridan was known for his exciting, attacking football during his previous spell in charge whilst Allen experimented with a mixture of styles in a vain bid to find a winning formula.
“We need to win games,” he said. “I’m talking attractive football, but we’ve got to be hard to beat and we need to win games as quickly as we can,” Sheridan said.
Chesterfield’s continued slump, following relegation from League One and League Two in the last two seasons, has resulted in severe unrest from fans in recent weeks including a protest and boycott of the Basford United FA Trophy tie and pitch invasions at two of their last three home league games.
But Sheridan, whilst aware he must win over some supporters, is convinced the potential for a successful stay is in place.
“Everything about the place, the fanbase, the crowd, it’s there. I knew what I was coming to. I’ll be going to grounds, teams and players I don’t know much about, but I’ve got a good knowledge of lower leagues. It’s a very tough league, a lot of good players are coming and dropping to the Conference now.”
Dave Allen, who has also been targeted by fans angry at Chesterfield’s demise, claimed he feels reinvigorated by the appointment and had been thinking of Sheridan before the start of the season.
“I shall back John. Whatever he wants, he’ll get,” said Allen, who said he’d be attending his first game in two years to back the new management team.