Spireites: Chesterfield chief executive praises latest addition

Chesterfield chief executive Chris Turner has heralded new recruit Gary Roberts as the best left winger outside the Premier League.
Charlton Athletic's Chris Solly and Huddersfield Town's Gary Roberts battle for the ball during the npower League One match at the Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday March 24, 2012. See PA story SOCCER Huddersfield. Photo credit should read: PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixtures or club/league logos.Charlton Athletic's Chris Solly and Huddersfield Town's Gary Roberts battle for the ball during the npower League One match at the Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday March 24, 2012. See PA story SOCCER Huddersfield. Photo credit should read: PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixtures or club/league logos.
Charlton Athletic's Chris Solly and Huddersfield Town's Gary Roberts battle for the ball during the npower League One match at the Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday March 24, 2012. See PA story SOCCER Huddersfield. Photo credit should read: PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixtures or club/league logos.

Roberts, 29, penned a three-year contract to become the Spireites’ fourth summer signing following his release from Swindon Town.

He follows in the footsteps of Aaron Chapman, Eoin Doyle and Jimmy Ryan through the Proact Stadium doors this summer as the club prepare a push for promotion from League Two.

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Chief executive Turner was delighted to conclude a deal for the experienced Roberts.

He said: “Gary is a quality signing - I don’t think there’s anybody outside the Premiership who’s better on the left wing.”

The capture of Roberts adds to manager Paul Cook’s midfield options, which also boasts Jay O’Shea, Tendayi Darikwa, Sam Togwell and Ryan.

Turner added: “The left-hand side has been unbalanced for a long time and the addition of Gary will further strengthen the firepower as he creates and scores goals.

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“Paul Cook has patiently waited for the deal to be done as he was very keen to bring Gary in. Chairman Dave Allen has provided some great support to ensure the conclusion of the deal.”

Roberts played alongside Cook and Chesterfield assistant Leam Richardson during almost two years with Accrington Stanley, where he scored 23 goals in 67 appearances from March 2005.

He signed for Ipswich Town in January 2007 following a brief loan spell with the Suffolk-based club.

Huddersfield Town paid out a fee of around £250,000 for the winger two years later and he went on to score 31 goals in 164 appearances for the Terriers.

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Roberts was then released in the summer of 2012 and went on to play for Swindon Town, where he scored a memorable goal from inside in his own half away at Tranmere Rovers.

The squad are due back from their Portugal training camp on Thursday and kick off their pre-season schedule with a trip to Buxton on July 6.

Chesterfield will play Leeds United at Elland Road in the first round of the Capital One Cup on August 7 (7.45pm kick off). An initial 2,000 seats have been allocated for Spireites fans.