'˜I'm full of respect for Tommy Lee but I'm not here to sit on the bench'

Joe Anyon might be full of respect for long-time Chesterfield keeper Tommy Lee but he's still out to take his place between the posts.
New Spireite Joe Anyon (Pic: Tina Jenner)New Spireite Joe Anyon (Pic: Tina Jenner)
New Spireite Joe Anyon (Pic: Tina Jenner)

Anyon and Scott Wiseman, both released by Scunthorpe, signed two-year deals with the Spireites yesterday and the former immediately set his sights on becoming the club’s number one.

“I respect Tommy a lot,” said the new stopper.

“He’s a very good goalkeeper, nice lad as well, very professional.

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“We’re going to come back pre-season and we’re both going to want to play, I’m under no illusions.

“I’m going to be working with a goalkeeper who is very good, so it’s only going to bring out the best in me.

“I’ve not come here to sit on the bench, I’ve come here to play and I’ll do everything I can to do that.

“What will be will be, I’ll be ready for pre-season.”

Last season the 30-year-old had to play second fiddle to Luke Daniels at Glanford Park, making just 15 starts.

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But he was called upon to replace the injured Daniels in the crucial stages of the League One promotion run-in, including the play-offs.

Sources in Scunthorpe have expressed surprise at Anyon’s release and say he acquitted himself well.

The man himself believes he deserved more of a chance last season but counts his involvement as a valuable experience.

“I thought I should have played a lot earlier on but that’s football for you,” he said.

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“I’d like to think that when I played I did well and delivered, the games were big games, play-off games.

“It’s a team effort but being part of that, making vital saves, getting some exposure is good.

“But I’m here because I want to be here and it’s in my hands now to kick on, show the fans, the manager and the staff what I can do.

“It’s about Chesterfield now.”