UPDATED STATEMENT: Chesterfield FC bans the Derbyshire Times

The ban comes in the wake of our coverage about issues with the Chesterfield FC Player Progression Pathway (PPP) football school, owned by Chesterfield CEO Chris Turner and former non-league footballer Liam Sutcliffe.

The Derbyshire Times devotes several pages of column inches every week to coverage of the Spireites - our website also carries dozens of stories, interviews and columns.

We do not set out to be either positive or negative, we simply intend to report on the Spireites fairly, accurately and without fear or favour.

Having said that anyone reviewing the DT’s coverage will see the majority is overwhelmingly positive so we are disappointed the club has taken this stance.

We have covered recent developments at the PPP - although that organisation is not part of the club - and we feel it was entirely legitimate to cover the issues raised.

We hope the club will reconsider the ban, which we do not believe is in any way justified.

Until that point we will continue to do our very best to give our army of readers informed Chesterfield FC coverage.

A full statement from Chesterfield FC outlining the club’s reasons for the ban reads: “Following a breakdown in its relationship with the Derbyshire Times, the club is unfortunately no longer in a position to agree to requests from the newspaper for interviews with players, management and other key personnel.

“The newspaper’s coverage of matters relating to two organisations associated with the club - the Player Progression Pathway and International Academy - has had a destabilising effect on the club. Complaints have been received from sponsors, commercial partners, suppliers and an educational provider, who have all been contacted by the newspaper.

“Club officials have co-operated with the Derbyshire Times in recent weeks by answering numerous questions relating to the club’s association with both organisations. At the same time, the club’s media department has continued to facilitate regular access to players, management and other senior figures at the club.

“Attempts have been made by club officials to maintain a good working relationship with the newspaper, despite the fact that for most of last season, no Derbyshire Times journalists attended Chesterfield games or pre-match press conferences. Furthermore, club officials were disappointed to note that the newspaper failed to provide coverage of an event staged to announce a club-record sponsorship deal, which was attended by other media outlets, sponsors and invited guests.

“The club enjoys a harmonious relationships with various local, national and international media organisations and it is with regret that this step has had to be taken.”