'You never know, it could be quite fun' - Chesterfield FC takeover will bring new hope but there will be challenges along the way

That is what Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council said in a joint statement as they announced they would each provide a loan of £500,000 to the Chesterfield FC Community Trust to help the charity buy the Spireites.

I think they have hit the nail on the head there because that is exactly what this takeover is all about. This is not a change of ownership which is going to see the Blues splash the cash. There is no multi-millionaire jetting in with a big cheque book. Town are about to become the first professional football club to be owned by a charity.

It is important to point out that this deal is not done yet. There are still a couple of hurdles to get over. The councils have more due diligence to carry out and then there’s getting approval from the National League. But both sides of the takeover are confident it will be completed.

This is a takeover which, in my opinion, strips everything back and is almost like starting again. No longer will the club hand out big lucrative contracts to players looking for one last pay day. No longer will the club have one of the biggest wage bills in the division but almost get relegated. No longer will the club be able to afford overnight hotel stays costing thousands of pounds. Let’s face it, chucking money at it hasn’t worked has it?

This is a different type of takeover. One which will give the fans its club back. A fresh start. A new beginning. The people behind the trust are supporters themselves, volunteers who give up their spare time because they love the club. They will make mistakes along the way but it will be honest mistakes.

It is certainly not going to be easy for the trust and there will be many challenges along the way.

Managing expectations will be the hardest part – as well as balancing the books - but as long as the trust is open and honest with people then I think fans will get behind them. I’ve already seen dozens of fans saying they will buy a season ticket which is encouraging.

People will have their concerns and their doubts about if it can work and I get that. But as the councils said in their statement, the trust has impressed them with their approach so far. The trust deserves a lot of credit for getting to this stage after having to overcome a number of setbacks.

You never know, it could be quite fun. Chesterfield, despite being one of the biggest clubs in the National League, will actually be an underdog. John Pemberton, if he takes over permanently - which he should do - will have to do some wheeling and dealing and call in some favours.

I for one can’t wait to be back in the press box and it would be great to see the pubs packed on a matchday, the streets around the Technique Stadium busier and more Spireites shirts on show as I drive in along Sheffield Road.

If the takeover does go through, give the trust a chance, give them your financial support if you can, and you never know, you might just enjoy it.