Friday 23rd March 2012

It's 17 years since the Spireite Army of fans has had the chance to grace the Capital and watch their team at Wembley - but their time has finally come and, come Sunday, nearly 18,000 of us will be taking our seats in the new Wembley stadium and willing Chesterfield on as they battle Swindon for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Ahead of the JPT final, we spoke with CEO Chris Turner (left) to find out just what this occasion means to Chesterfield Football Club.

Three months into post, he'll be heading to London, with the club, and says that he's proud to be part of this occasion and proud of the fans, Management and team for what they've achieved.

We asked him first of all what it means to the club...
"A hell of a lot! After last season's promotion, for the following season to go to a JPT final at Wembley, just enhances how far forward the club has gone in the last two to three years. Putting the league form aside for the moment, the team have performed extremely well in the tournament so far and for the supporters, it's a fantastic day out.

"I hate talking as if it's a day out, a jolly, there's a big football match at stake here, a big result at stake as well and they will only enjoy the day out if the team wins."

It’s an occasion, but one that everyone at the club is taking very seriously isn't it?
"It is a serious one and I know a lot of people in football don't take the competition that seriously in the early stages, but everybody who has experienced a final - I've spoken to several other managers over the past few weeks who've appeared in the final - have said what a great day it is and what a memorable occasion it is if you win. It's an important occasion for the club as it's an opportunity for the club to sell the club and the town."

Do you think it's come at the right time, to give a lift to everyone if we win ahead of the last push of the season?
"Well I think it can only do us a lot of good if we win on Sunday, in terms of confidence. It we do win on Sunday, then it does mean there has been some achievement made this season and then hopefully, in the remaining league games, it will spur the team on to pick up the results required to keep us in League One.

"I still firmly believe that it's still there for us to play for and there are going to be important games after Sunday that will play a role in us having the opportunity of staying in League One."

You've been to Wembley, what are your memories?
"I've had two occasions, won one and lost one. The game I lost was not a really memorable experience build up wise, but the second one which we did win, the build up was spot on, fantastic.

"When we got through to this final, John and I sat down and discussed the preparation for the players and we've looked at the time we went there together as a team and as players and we've virtually done the same as we feel that that the players need to feel that they've achieved something in getting there and that secondly, we feel that the players need the best preparation possible to perform and try and win the cup on Sunday, that's what we've done that for the players.

"I also wanted it as a football club, for the staff in the club and the players and the management to look back, like John and I do, 25 years on, at this occasion and have good memories of how they were prepared, looked after and thought about prior, during and after the game."

What does this mean for the Board?
"The obvious one is the finance. It's a massive game you don't budget for so there's got to be some big rewards in finance on the budget. I think that we've got a marvellous stadium and we've had great achievements here in a short space of time but, it's expensive to run and the playing budget is expensive to run, it's not as though we can come away from this game with 'X' amount of money in the bank, just sitting there ready to be spent on players or anything else, but it does help the running costs of this financial year and does help us hopefully springboard to more success."

What's your message to fans ahead of Sunday?
"It's only going to be a good day if we win, so I'm hoping that their tremendous support and backing that they've given the Management, the Board and the players in difficult times this season, is rewarded with a win and that gives the team the springboard to surprise some people that we can still remain in League One. It's not a foregone conclusion that we're going down."

For more information and other CFC news, go to www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk

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