Chesterfield Hockey Club cannot wait to test themselves at higher level

Ben Curley in action for Chesterfield this season. Pic by Kev Randall

The club look certain to be promoted to Midlands Hockey League Division One after league bosses suspended the season, with final league positions calculated on a percentage basis.

The move is ‘99 per cent’ certain according to Battyle, with the league just doing final calculations over how many teams drop down out the National League into the Midlands.

The Newbold Road club finished in second spot after they lost just one of their 19 matches against leaders Olton & West Warwick II.

And Battye says his side, who ended the campaign on a 17 game unbeaten streak, are very keen to test themselves in their new surroundings.

“We are really excited to make the step up, it's been six or seven years since we have been at this level,” he said.

“We came out of the Midlands Premier and tumbled down to Division Three or Four of the Midlands League.

“It’s been a quick rise to get back here. We took a look as a club to sort it out and we revamped our junior sides five or six years ago and have seen the benefits.

“It had gone stale and there wasn’t the connection between the lower levels of the club and first team.

“The lads that started in the junior system are turning 18, five or six of them are going to uni and it’s come to the end of that first cycle of changing things. It has been really successful.

“There is a bit of a gap now, but the U14s are strong.”

Battye, who retired from playing at the end of the season to take up a coaching role at the club, added that planning was now well underway to ensure his side enjoyed a successful return.

“It is a tough one because we are losing a few players next season,” he said. “ We have some holes to fill, but we have got players who are interested in joining.

“The captain is stepping down and we have got a few things to sort out, but we are very keen to see how we get on.

“We are working hard to plan for the season and working out various plans for if the season starts on certain dates. We are also sorting individual fitness programmes for the players.”