'True gentlemen' - Gloucester City praise Chesterfield for respectful approach for manager James Rowe

Rowe, 37, had led Gloucester City to the top of the National League North before taking over at the Technique Stadium last week.

“James rang and said his agent had had an approach to see if Chesterfield could have permission to speak to James,” Petheram said.

“You are never going to stand in anyone’s way and their career progression so we gave Chesterfield permission to speak to James.

"Just for the record Chesterfield have been really great. They have been true gentlemen all the way through. They spoke to us daily.

“We agreed with Chesterfield and James obviously has done pretty well since he has been there with a win and a draw so all the best to him really and hopefully his career continues on the up and hopefully we will see him in the Football League at some point.”

Striker Akwasi Asante, 28, followed Rowe to the Blues but there is an agreement in place between the two clubs that Chesterfield cannot approach any more of their contracted players.

Petheram said: “We are not going to let our best players walk out of the football club so that was a deal we done with Chesterfield and we are grateful for that. Asante is a great guy and he wants to play at the highest possible level and I think we have to accept what we are and who we are Gloucester. You can’t begrudge anybody for wanting to play - when fans do come back - in a 10,000 all-seater stadium.”