Sheridan heralds a new era for Spireites
The John Sheridan era has kicked off at Saltergate.
And the new team chief – who was revealed on Tuesday at noon – believes he has what it takes to guide Chesterfield FC into the Championship.
''Chesterfield FC is a very ambitious club and that appeals to me because I'm a young and ambitious manager,'' said Sheridan who has signed a three-year deal with the Spireites.
''Within four or five years we would like to get into the Championship.
''It will be a very hard job but I am confident that I can do it.
''It is a job that will take a lot of doing because the Championship is a hard league to get into but I am looking forward to it and I am glad to be here,'' he said.
Former Republic of Ireland international Sheridan has taken the reins at Saltergate assisted by Tommy Wright and Mark Crossley.
The trio ran the show at Oldham until Sheridan was sacked in March and the new man is confident he has the right back-room team in place to help him work towards his ambition.
''I've got a great team around me and first we need to look at getting out of League Two and then see where that takes us,'' he said.
Scottish-born Wright (43) was a team-mate of Sheridan at Leeds and also played for Oldham, Leicester, Middlesbrough, Bradford and St Johnstone, Livingstone and Doncaster.
Crossley (39) will combine the roles of coach and keeper, being No2 to first choice Tommy Lee.
Crossley has made more than 440 appearances for Nottingham Forest, Millwall, Middlesbrough, Stoke, Fulham, Sheffield Wednesday and Oldham.
Chesterfield fans will not need reminding that Crossley was red-carded at Saltergate when the Spireites beat Forest 1-0 in their way to the FA Cup semi-final 12 years ago.
With the majority of Chesterfield's players away on summer vacation, Sheridan admitted that he had not had a chance to speak to the first team squad members.
Central defender Danny Hall was a trainee at Boundary Park and other players he mentioned were Derek Niven, Darren Currie and leading marksman Jack Lester.
''It is only right that the existing players get a chance to play under me as the new manager.
''All of them will have an opportunity to start on the same level.
''I will be trying to get the best out of each and every one of the players,'' he said.
The new man did not rule out new signings.
''I would like to have a good look at the players but eventually one or two extra ones may be needed to add strength in depth,'' he said.
Two weeks ago Dave Allen joined the club as the new majority shareholder, investing a 6m package to help build the new stadium at Whittington Moor.
Mr Allen also pledged that the new manager would play a brand of 'exciting and attacking' football that would attact fans and help the club climb up the Football League.
Sheridan did not believe that those comments placed him under pressure.
‘‘I like football to be played in the right way and we will try to do that but it is most important to have a winning mentality and to play winning football,’’ he added.
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Weather for Chesterfield
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
