"He said we're going to have a right good go" - new Chesterfield signing Kyle Letheren on Spireites move and following in his dad's footsteps

John Pemberton told new signing Kyle Letheren that Chesterfield are not going to be “holding back” in trying to win promotion from the National League and that they are going to have a “right good go.”
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The 32-year-old goalkeeper, whose dad Glan played for the club in the late 1970s, was available on a free transfer after being released by League Two Salford City earlier this year.

When asked what Pemberton said to persuade him to join the Blues, Welsh-born Letheren told the DT: “He said that he is not holding back in trying to get promotion this year. That is his main aim and we’ll do everything we can to try and get it.

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“It is a tough league but he said that we have a good base of players and that he will probably add one or two more if he can.

Kyle Letheren is "delighted" to have joined the Spireites. Picture by Tina Jenner.Kyle Letheren is "delighted" to have joined the Spireites. Picture by Tina Jenner.
Kyle Letheren is "delighted" to have joined the Spireites. Picture by Tina Jenner.

“He said we are going to give it a right go and he just seemed eager to get me.”

Letheren, who lives in Wakefield, said the deal happened within 48 hours of Chesterfield first expressing their interest.

He has been training with Bradford City to keep fit and that after a quick call to his dad, who was also a goalkeeper, it was a straight forward decision.

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Back in Wales, Letheren revealed that his friends joke that he always copies what his dad does and now playing for Chesterfield can be added to the list.

“I knew my dad had played there so I gave him a phone call and he told me what a great club it is and he made my mind up for me and I am delighted to be here,” he said.

“He said it is in a position where it should not be and that they have had a bad few years and he said it was a great time to join. There is only one way to go in my opinion and that is upwards.”

Letheren, who took part in his first training session on Monday morning, has won trophies with Dundee, Kilmarnock and York City and is keen to add to his collection.

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“I look back on my career with pride that I have won titles in Scotland and England but I have got lots more to give,” he explained. “I have got that bit between my teeth and I have got loads left to give and I want to be successful at Chesterfield.”

Last season he kept 11 clean sheets in 22 appearances and can probably count himself unfortunate not to have earned himself a new deal at Salford.

“If I played two or three more games I would have activated a clause for another year so Covid-19 hit me in that way,” he said.

After the season was curtailed Salford boss Graham Alexander told Letheren that he wanted to “go in a different direction” and he was let go. But there is no bad blood and he is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“I can’t wait to get back in a game situation and get the crowd back eventually and get that winning feeling back as soon as possible,” he added.