Loan moves for young Chesterfield pair welcomed by Paul Cook

The midfielder has joined ambitious National League side AFC Fylde for the 2026/27 season, following Alex Whitney’s switch to Northern Premier Division side Hyde United until January 1.

Butterfield (22) is halfway through a two-year contract he signed when he left Everton.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Accrington Stanley.

Spireites boss Paul Cook said: “Our young lads are genuinely there to support the team and get bits of minutes but also to keep playing competitive football. We want this for all our young players.

"We have a situation where Luke Butterfield has gone to Fylde. It’s a great move and a great opportunity. Luke is an exciting young player and he is going to play senior football and get minutes."

Butterfield played ten times for Accrington last season, ending it in the starting line-up, and he is joining a club currently sixth in the National League and intent on getting into the EFL.

"It's a really good set up and the style of football suits me really well,” he said. “I feel it's a style where I can express myself and bring my strengths to the team."

Whitney, a defender, signed his first pro contract at Chesterfield this summer after two good years as a scholar.

Still only 18, Hyde is a chance for him to make the graduation to regular men’s football and re-assess his progress after Christmas.