'I just hope we have a club at the end of it' - Chesterfield fans give their predictions for new National League season

Josh Marsh

As a lifelong Chesterfield fan, I think I speak for many when I say I’m just grateful to have a club to support at the moment.

Despite the future looking quite uncertain, it is an exciting time to be a Spireite; with the club back in the hands of people who truly care about it.

On the footballing side, John Pemberton has opted in the most part to keep last season’s players on the books. Was he correct in doing so?

The results over the next few weeks shall tell us, but many are yet to be convinced following defeats to Alfreton and Guiseley in recent friendly matches.

For now though, I am still looking forward to putting my feet up on Saturday afternoon and watching my team play after more than six months of waiting.

It may not be quite the same as roaring them on from the stands, but surely it has to be better than no football at all... right?

Phil Tooley

This will be a season like no other and trying to piece together what’s what will be more difficult than ever. The pandemic has weakened everyone’s finances, so who knows who’ll be able to add to their squads when the injuries start to bite?

As for Chesterfield, post-takeover, the club is probably in as good a position financially as most, but pre-season has been underwhelming and the squad resembles the one that struggled last season. For progress to be made, opponents will need to be weaker than last season’s competition.

This will be another tough campaign, mid-table will be a success, with the only real aim for me being to see the club overall ending the season in a stronger position than it is in now.

Howard Borrell

I've regularly said that Chesterfield has, for many years, been weighed down with an often unrealistic level of expectation. I actually think, this year, that millstone has finally been lifted.

On the pitch it's been a grim pre-season with just one narrow win against a team three divisions below us and two defeats against teams one division below us.

I've seen many pre-seasons where we've not looked impressive and then gone on to look comfortable in the league; I really hope that proves to be the case - assuming the season does go ahead at Wealdstone on Saturday - at the weekend but I really think the season could be another battle.

For me, success this year will be more about surviving the Covid crisis, managing our finances well and picking up enough (ugly if necessary) points to keep away from the drop zone.

Karen Johnson

This season was supposed to the beginning of the journey back to the Holy Grail of the Football League; new owners, new manager equals new hope. Right?

The on-pitch stuff was almost secondary. ‘Our’ business plan was plain - the chicken was being fattened in the lounges to lay the golden egg on the pitch.

Except, due to COVID, it isn’t. New owners may have breathed new life into a tired club, but ironically this respiratory pandemic appears to be slowly sucking the life out. The promised land looks as far away as ever; banqueting opportunities are restricted – and player budgets are slashed to the size of a boot shoestring.

I had hoped for a consolidation season – one where our board and team could find their feet. A mid-table finish and some bounce back in the crowd would have done me. Now I just hope we have a season of football – and a club – and league - left at the end of it.

Roland Gent

Most newspaper columnists start off a new football season making bold predictions of who will carry off the silverware come May usually based on the glittering array of foreign talent that their moneybags owners have spent TV revenue on.

Not so in the National League as the only question is how many sides can possibly survive til May, Macclesfield are gone and it looks either dodgy or desperate for the rest.

Dover appear to be on the brink, plus this week King's Lynn Town chairman Stephen Cleeve says that the club cannot kick-off their National League season without any assurances of financial support.

My prediction? Chesterfield to survive in a division with less than 20 teams. Wrexham might win what’s left of the league if their movie star ‘fans’ cough up the cash.

Alan Wilkinson

My thoughts for the season? What am I expecting? Who knows. Pre-season didn't go at all well. One win. two defeats. John Pemberton admitting we are not ready. Well we have to be! Realistically, I would settle for mid-table safety and a stable club. Roller coaster time I suspect.”

Danny Hughes

Personally I would’ve liked a few more signings but the additions we have made look smart.

We’ve already seen how John Pemberton can turn the ship around at the back end of last season so I’m excited to see how his team can perform when he’s been able to sign his own players and had more time to implement his tactics.

Holly Bacon

I have to say my expectations for this season aren’t very high but I would love to be proven wrong!

I think there are a few areas that need strengthening in order for them to be competing at the right end of the table. Having said this, John Pemberton did a good job when he took charge last season and I’m sure he knows that there are problems that need addressing.

I don’t think Chesterfield will be good enough to win promotion this season but I don’t think they will be flirting with relegation again either!