Five Chesterfield players agree new deals "in principle"

Haydn Hollis, Tom Denton, Jamie Sharman, Regan Hutchinson and Luke Rawson are all close to extending their stay at the Spireites.

Caretaker boss John Pemberton, who still does not know whether he will be in charge next season, is still in talks with other players about possible new deals.

It is believed midfielder Jonathan Smith is one of those players.

Spireites company secretary, Ashley Carson, said: “We have officially offered one-year contracts to several players who have all agreed in principle, but the agreements have not been signed-off yet for obvious reasons.

“The manager is still in discussion with other players but furlough has delayed further developments until we have some further guidance from the National League.”

The appointment of an assistant manager, fitness coach and goalkeeping coach are still in the “pending file”, Mr Carson said.

“The loan players will all have left the club and be off the payroll by the end of May,” he added. “We will then only have ten players registered with us.

“As previously reported, we will not be offering any more than one-year contracts this year. By the end of this next season, every player will be out of contract. I cannot remember ever being in this position before, but a great opportunity to rebuild if the manager feels it is necessary.”

Meanwhile, no progress has been made on the proposed takeover of the club by the community trust.

“Dave Allen and I would prefer the community trust to purchase the club, however I have not spoken to Mike Goodwin for over a week as the same record is still being played,” Mr Carson said. “I am still receiving interest from other parties, but absolutely nothing worth reporting. Therefore, Dave Allen and I continue to plan for next season, whenever that will be.”

In other news, the new stadium sponsor could be announced later this week, staff and players are to remain on furlough and details about season tickets will remain on hold until it becomes clearer when the new campaign might start.