Ashley Carson provides update on Chesterfield takeover and John Pemberton's position

The trust has been working on a deal for several months but it has been delayed due to the coronavirus.

Spireites company secretary, Mr Carson, said: “I am happy to confirm that I am back on Mike Goodwin’s (community trust chairman) speed dial and I have been receiving some positive updates from him. I am still receiving interest from other parties, but overall no progress or timeframes for change.”

Mr Carson also revealed that owner Dave Allen has put more than £770,000 of “top-ups” into the club since January to cover costs, including £25,000 this month.

“Money is still extremely tight, we have received our second furlough payment which is approximately £110,000 each submission,” Mr Carson added. “We currently have 183 on furlough, this includes stewards and all staff. All wages have been paid on time this month.”

Meanwhile, caretaker manager John Pemberton and the players will remain on furlough until the situation with when the new National League season might start becomes clearer.

He added that he and Mr Allen continue to plan for next season and “must look to sit down with the manager to discuss both his future contract and also his shopping list for players.”

Understandably, Mr Carson said they are “sadly unable to commit to any new signings yet, as much as we would like to.”

“I have talked to John Pemberton about when we will be able to bring the remaining players back off furlough and conduct some training with them, to get them back into a working environment and also for their mental health and wellbeing,” Mr Carson said. “But we would then also need to bring other staff back in, including the physio, all of this would cost the club over £10,000 a week and so for now we simply cannot afford to do it.”

In other news, the Blues are looking to make improvements to the Hasland training ground pitches which were problematic during the winter. The club has received quotes of £3,800 to £49,000. Work on the stadium pitch is already underway.