Why John Pemberton thinks honesty will be best policy for Chesterfield FC's potential new owners

John Pemberton says honesty will be the best policy for the potential new owners of Chesterfield FC.
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Chesterfield FC Community Trust is “close” to completing a takeover and it is hoped the deal will be finalised by March 20.

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Caretaker manager Pemberton, who is in charge until the end of the season, said: “It has got to live within its means but it has also got to be realistic.

“If you are going to make cuts or change things around then you have got to be realistic in your target of what you want.

“I have heard it before, it happened at my previous club (Kidderminster Harriers). You halve the budget and say ‘get promoted’ - well good luck.

“I think it is the right way to go regards of letting it live within it means, I think that is only common sense but the goals have to be realistic in that.

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“If it (the takeover) goes through in March then I am sure I will be having that conversation with them up to the end of the season to see where that goes and see what the plans are for it and how we are going to move forward as a club.

Chesterfield FC caretaker manager John Pemberton.Chesterfield FC caretaker manager John Pemberton.
Chesterfield FC caretaker manager John Pemberton.

“I definitely think it needs to be all pulled together, everybody needs to be going in the right direction but understanding because I think sometimes it is hard for people when things are being projected as everything is okay and it is not.

“If you are going to cut the budget then cut the budget, be honest with the supporters, tell everybody, everybody knows and then we can all strive to go forward but it is when there is not clarity that is difficult.

“I have been at clubs like that and it is really difficult to function because at the end of the day there is one target and the one target is the guy who stands in the dugout on a Saturday. It is as simple as that, I am not going to dress it up.”

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Pemberton resigned from his position as manager of Kidderminster last November claiming he was “promised the earth but they cut budgets”, adding: “I was given a blind horse and asked to win the Grand National, all I have been told is lies.”

When asked if his experience at the National League North club will shape the questions he asks the community trust at the end of the season he said: “It definitely will.

“I have been a coach at big clubs where we have had to do it (make cuts).

“We did it at Bristol City, we had to halve the bill, £7m we cut the bill by when we first went in when they got relegated but we did it. But everybody knew and then we could build again.

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“You get a bit of time and everybody knows it is for the right reason. Like trying to get rid of the 33, 34, 35-year-olds who were on big wages. We could not afford that.

“This is the same here. It is no different. What direction are we going in as a club, how we are going to do it, understanding how we are going to do it, getting someone who knows what they are doing to try and implement it and then moving forward.”

Pemberton said that he has no discussions with the community trust yet, adding: “That is a conversation that needs to be had when the time is right. My dealings at the moment have just been with the current owner.”

Meanwhile, Chesterfield’s rearranged match against Yeovil Town at Huish Park on Tuesday, March 24 is to be televised by BT Sport (7.45pm).