Monday 26th March 2012

Ahead of the trip to Wembley, and at the pre- match press conference, Chesterfield Football Club's Chief Executive, Chris Turner, (left) told the Chesterfield Post that to win the Johnstone's Paint Trophy would mean that the club had achieved something this year, despite their difficult position in the league.

Yesterday, the Spireites did indeed triumph in the capital and the silverware now takes pride of place in the b2net trophy cabinet. We spoke with Chris after he and the team had returned home and he told us of his pride on the day - and that the day had been a fantastic one for all concerned.

So Chris, you must have been very pleased yesterday?
"Yes, yesterday goes down as one of the best footballing days of my life in terms of everything - the preparation, the weather, the football, the supporters, everything came together for us."

And of course the right result - a result we needed?
"We did need the result. If it had gone the other way, it would have put more pressure on us going into these last 8 games, and if there's not enough pressure on them, it would have put even more - at least something has been achieved so far this season and hopefully, it will inspire the team to strive for some more in these eight games - the last eight games - as everyone of those games is a cup final in itself."

Every game is a must win now aren't they?
"They are, but we always felt that after the Sheffield United game, the others are all teams that are there and thereabouts with us and if you lose those, you don't really deserve to stay in the division if you're losing to those opponents. So, it's going to be a tough order to get 5 wins out of 8 but it's achievable and if the players believe in themselves like they did yesterday, then anything is achievable."

And they'll go in to this next game feeling 10 feet tall?
"It's certainly given a lot of confidence and as a team, going into yesterday, the talk was all of Di Canio and how good a side Swindon Town are and I would have thought that they were a bit over-confident that the victory was theirs but I've said many times, we don't play like a team at the bottom and yesterday showed there is a gap in the divisions, the confidence of the players shone through."

What did you say to the players and management after the game?
"I congratulated them for the way they'd performed and the way they represented the club was fantastic. The way they prepared themselves has been perfect and everything has gone to plan. You never plan the game around a result but you always hope for the result and fortunately for us, it went perfectly."

We talked last week about the team that were most relaxed coping better, do you think the preparation helped?
"Most definitely! If we'd lost, we could have looked back and thought that we couldn't do anymore for them. We took them Friday, it would have been dead easy to take them down on the Saturday, the night before, but we felt that this was no ordinary league game, it was a massive game for the club and the supporters and you want to get the players in the frame of mind that it's a big game and they need to prepare for it mentally and physically. I thought the players handled it well and came out looking relaxed and didn't look in too much trouble at the end."

And the Craig Westcarr goal at the very end was fantastic wasn't it?
"I think even within 4 minutes going on - you're still thinking anything can happen and it could go to extra time and penalties, so when that went in, we knew that there was not time for Swindon to come back and that we'd win - it was a fantastic emotion when it went in and we knew we'd won."

The support from the town was fantastic wasn't it?
"The fans support on the day was tremendous and I think on days like that, we didn't want to let them down and disappoint and fortunately for us, we did the business on the day. The support has been fantastic from what I've seen in the past 3 months and the fans have supported the team and management, that was evident again yesterday."

Two trophies in two years - that's a real achievement for the club, we talked on Thursday about the progress of the club and it's put Chesterfield on the map football wise?
"To win anything in football is fantastic and a cup competition, it's a great one for League One and Two, to give them an opportunity to have a day like yesterday. Until you've been there, you don't realise what an opportunity it is. We had a fantastic build up, a fantastic day out and it was a great experience for everyone at the club. Two trophies in two seasons, I don't know when last one was won for Chesterfield, so to go to Wembley and win is an experience in itself."

Do you think that the league position may have taken a bit of shine off the day - or can you disassociate the two events and celebrate the cracking achievement fully?
"It is a cracking achievement, and in 25 years time, this will be remembered. 25 years ago I played in the FA Cup for Sunderland and we got relegated. But when someone says to me 1985, I automatically think of Wembley and not about relegation, so they'll remember this achievement and will always remember this year for going to Wembley.

"The league position is not good unfortunately and it does have that edge because we're being asked to play at Sheffield United on Wednesday night. As for showing the trophy off and travelling through town and thanking supporters - we can't - because we have to focus on Wednesday night. That becomes our next 'Cup Fina'l and they have to put yesterday behind them and focus on getting 3 points."

Are you still confident you can stay in League One?
"Yes, absolutely. If the players play like they did yesterday, though to be fair they have been playing like that in most games recently. Huddersfield, well there was a difference in both teams, two great strikes from Novak and Rhodes, the rest of the time we had probably had more chances, the team had been doing it, but yesterday showed a different level. Yesterday, I thought we defended well without getting flustered and they need to now do that against Sheffield United on Wednesday night."

A lot of fans have expressed their frustration against the management, but John Sheridan has delivered two trophies in two years and will probably go down as one of the best Managers Chesterfield has had, success wise...
"It's bizarre football. There's not another sport like it. You go from being the best thing to the worst thing since sliced bread quickly. What football doesn't have a lot of is patience. Two trophies in 2 years, when was the last time the club got two trophies? And that's down to John Sheridan. He's been fully supported all season and will be at the end of season whatever happens - we have a lot of belief in John.

"Supporters get frustrated, we understand that, but you have to stand back and look at the bigger picture. John got us out of League Two as Champions, he's just won the JPT and we're still in with a shout of staying in League One. This could be the best period in the clubs history. A Manager was sacked yesterday at Bournemouth, yet they gave that Manager a two and a half year contract. Dave Allen has stated his support for John, you don't get any longevity by changing managers."

As CEO of the club, you must have been proud for the team and the town yesterday?
"It was a great advertisement for Chesterfield with the support and the way the team played. Winning gives us even greater exposure, the town should be
very proud of itself - we just need 8 wins now!"

It's been noticeable when I've been in town the last couple of days how the whole town has been behind the club, it's almost been the heartbeat of the town…
"That's what football is about - not just people living in the town - but supporters across the Country and even the World will feel proud today, they've seen their town win something in a major cup final."

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

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