What's the latest on John Pemberton's appointment and what about any more new signings at Chesterfield FC?

Why has John Pemberton not been officially appointed yet?

This is nothing to worry about. Terms have been agreed and it is just the final paperwork that needs sorting. Both the community trust and Pemberton are relaxed about the situation and know it is going to happen. In the last couple of weeks the focus has been more on trying to re-sign players from last season and bring in some new faces because they were slightly playing catch up compared to some other clubs due to the delay in the takeover. Trying to get the training ground and stadium fit for purpose has been another priority after it was left mothballed during lockdown by the previous ownership. Pemberton will be appointed soon enough and an announcement on his assistant, who I understand is a well respected and highly experienced coach, will follow.

Can we expect Chesterfield to sign any more players?

Yes. Pemberton would like a squad of 20 outfield players and he currently has 18 and goalkeeper Luke Coddington.

Another ‘keeper is needed to provide competition for Coddington but it will have to be someone who is ready to play first-team football in case Codds has not quite fully recovered from his long-term injury suffered last season.

A winger would give Pemberton the option of changing it up in games but it seems like he is set on playing three at the back again with the full-backs providing the width. Jordan Cropper is more than capable of playing on the right wing so a natural left sided player would add more balance to the squad.

Pemberton has three strikers in Nathan Tyson, Tom Denton and Scott Boden and Liam Mandeville has played there before as well. But you can never have too many forwards and Pemberton will be aware they need someone to replace Mike Fondop, who top scored with 12 goals last season.

It is likely that anyone who does join will come in on loan and I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t sign until middle to late September once the Premier League and Football League seasons get underway on September 12. By this point clubs will know who they are willing to let go and I could see Pemberton waiting patiently to get the quality additions he wants.

Is there any update on supporters being allowed back into stadiums?

On Wednesday the government announced the latest pilot events which include Brighton’s friendly against Chelsea at the Amex Stadium on Saturday where 2,500 season ticket holders will be able to attend the game. Fans will also be able to go to Non League Finals Day at Wembley on September 20 among a number of other sporting events which will be used to test how safe it is for spectators to return to stadiums.

At the moment clubs below the National League North/South divisions are allowed to let a small number of fans into stadiums (15% of capacity, rising to 30% from August 31). This means that some supporters will be allowed into the friendly matches at Belper Town and Matlock Town next month but not at Alfreton Town and or for the home game against Guiseley unless the regulations change closer to the time.

In terms of the Spireites, there is no word yet on how many supporters they anticipate being allowed into the Technique Stadium. But there is no better person to calculate exactly how many this might be than new director and architect, Terry Ward, who helped design Chesterfield’s ground. As it stands it looks like there will be no season tickets going on sale but the club has assured that those who have bought season tickets last season will have priority on matchday tickets this campaign.

What are the bookmakers predicting for the 2020/2021 National League season?

Betway have Chesterfield at 16/1 to win the National League title, behind Solihull Moors (14/1), Dagenham & Redbridge (14/1), Boreham Wood (14/1), Hartlepool United (12/1), Yeovil Town (8/1), Notts County (9/2) and Stockport County (4/1).