The new Spireites skipper relished the prospect of wearing the armband at Underhill when the men from Saltergate take on Barnet.

Experienced central defender Page (33), who has captained Wales, began his career with Watford and has been skipper at Sheffield United, Coventry and Huddersfield before he was lured to Chesterfield by manager Lee Richardson.

The Blues finished one place shy of the play-offs last season but Page believes the new signings have strengthened the first-team squad.

''With all the news surrounding the new stadium, this is a club on the up. The club is going forward and I want to be part of it. I've not come to Chesterfield just to wind down my career.

''We came close last time around but we want to improve on that,'' he said.

Boss Richardson pointed the finger at his defence for the shortcomings of last season and has made experienced signings in a bid to correct the problem.

In addition to Page, central defender Kevin Austin, a former Trinidad and Tobago international, was signed from League One champions Swansea while Danny Hall who played centre half for the now-defunct Gretna in the Scottish Premier League last term, has also been snapped up.

Terms for a two-year contract have been agree with left-sided full-back Alan Goodall from Luton Town.

The departure of No1 keeper Barry Roche left Richardson with a key position to fill and he has opted for former Manchester United trainee Tommy Lee who has experience with Macclesfield and Rochdale.

The Spireites manager has also bolstered his midfield division and many keen observers of the club are already predicting that Darren Currie, who operates wide on the left, will be the player of the season.

Former West Ham trainee Currie (33) is a dead-ball expert whose clubs include Ipswich and Derby County.

Energetic Paul Harsley, Port Vale's captain last term, has also boosted the midfield while Lloyd Kerry, who hails from Clay Cross, has joined from Sheffield United following an impressive loan spell last term.

Page believes the new signings will give the team a shot in the arm.

''Kevin, Darren, Paul and myself are all in our 30s but there's something else tha tis important. We have a good crop of youngsters coming through and I think we have a good blend,'' he added.

Chesterfield finished in eighth spot last term and Richardson is anxious to do better this season.

In all competitions, leading marksman Jack Lester netted 27 goals while Jamie Ward weighed in with 12 and much will be expected of those two over the next nine months.

The club lost the services of big Steve Fletcher and the manager is keen to bring in a new man in the traditional centre forward mould.

Richardson said: ''The chairman and the board have shown ambition with the signings we have made. We've more quality this year but I would still like to add a little more.''

Chesterfield are on the road again on Tuesday when they travel into Lancashire to face Championship club Preston in the first round of the Carling Cup.