The key message from Chesterfield's new owners in what was a sensible and encouraging start

The word ‘sustainable’ was used three times in the first three answers.

It was used again later on, as was ‘stability’ and ‘efficiency.’

These are not exactly the most exciting words for a fanbase to hear, but they are very much needed at Chesterfield right now.

When I looked back through my notes after Friday’s press conference and one-to-one interview with new chairman Mike Goodwin, I noticed there were no foolish statements which could come back to bite the community trust later down the line. They took a sensible, steady, down-to-earth approach at their first press conference and I thought it was very refreshing.

There was honesty, plenty of smiles and a bit of humour thrown in too.

“We have got a doctor of psychology who we will probably need by Christmas I think,” joked Mr Goodwin when talking about the various different skills on the new board, and all six directors are Spireites fans, by the way.

Mr Goodwin was then teed up perfectly for a chance to criticise the previous owner Dave Allen. He wasn’t interested in any tittle tattle.

He replied: “To be perfectly frank I don’t want to get into talking about the previous regime and what happened in the past. I want us to look forward. I want everyone to pull together to make the future successful.”

What about revealing how much Mr Allen has lost from the sale of the club for a little dig in the ribs? Nope.

“I think you wouldn’t expect me to answer that one,” he said. “At the request of the seller he has insisted it is kept secret, he wants confidentiality and we should respect that.”

How about a big slice of honesty?

When asked about being the first such organisation to own a professional club in this country, Mr Goodwin admitted there is some trepidation about it but believes they have the right people with relevant skills to help them be successful.

What about passion?

“It has broken my heart to see us drop into non-league football and if I can do anything to stop the rot with that and push back the other way then I will do and I will be very privileged to be able to do that and I know my colleagues are in exactly the same position as me,” Mr Goodwin told the room.

Transparency?

“One of the first things I want to do is talk to the supporters,” he explained. “I want to get them down here and I want them to ask open and transparent questions and I want to be open and transparent with them. That is something that is not just important to me but to the whole of the board. Nobody wants to hide anything. There will be no surprises with us. What you see is what you get. We are all supporters of the club.”

Overall I came away feeling positive about the new ownership and I thought it was an encouraging start.

I think they will need some luck, especially with the uncertainty of Covid-19.

If the trust can’t make it a success it will certainly not be for a lack of effort and hard work that’s for sure.

Up the sustainable Spireites.