Friday 28th March 2014
"It's a massive achievement for the town and the club - it's a special day. Some supporters go a lifetime without having the opportunity to go to the best stadium! You can't express enough how big it is for any club to play in a major final in English football", that's Chesterfield FC CEO Chris Turner as he faced the press just 48 hours from the Spiretes' Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final against Peterborough United.
The team bus prepares to leave
Near on 15,000 tickets have been sold and Chris acknowledges that it will be a great occasion for the supporters who are making the trip to the capital, "They enjoyed it last time and I'm hoping they will enjoy the day again. It's something that will live in memories for years but hopefully, there's more to come!"
He told The Chesterfield Post, of his pride in the squad, "It's been a fantastic achievement! Paul's brand of football has been proven to be correct. We didn't set any other goal than promotion - this is an added bonus.
"It's most helpful financially but I see getting to the final as a sense of achievement. It means that, in this competition, we've been the best in the North for the second time in 3 years!"
Listen to Chris Turner's Interview in full here...
With Chesterfield sitting 3rd in SkyBet League Two, Turner admits that he understands fears that the final would affect the league form, "After Sunday will be a relief. I don't think it's caused many real problems in team performances but I know it does prey at the back of any player's mind, they're glad that they've come through unscathed!"
He did concede however that the day won't come without heartache for some, whatever the result, "This is the hardest decision of Paul's managerial career, as he will have to leave players out who have contributed to the season and there's no bigger disappointment than missing out on the chance to play on the hallowed turf."
(l-r) Spireites boss Paul Cook, CEO Chris Turner with Gary Roberts, Ian Evatt and Tommy Lee at today's press conference
The man charged with making those decisions, gaffer Paul Cook also spoke to The Chesterfield Post, and told us that he was very much looking forward to leading his team out on Sunday, "Everyone's excited - the club is active, full of life and energy as you would expect. We haven't won anything yet but we're on course and we're looking forward to going to Wembley on Sunday. It's now the main event!"
He had good news for Chesterfield fans on the injury front, confirming, "The Treatment Room's empty! It's amazing what a trip to Wembley can do for treatment and injuries! The difficulty is picking teams but that's part and parcel of my job as manager."
Listen to Paul Cook's Interview in full here...
Cook admitted that all the squad will be together - even those out on loan - ahead of the game, "All the lads are travelling down. I believe in everyone being together. It's not just another game. It's Wembley. If we win, we win together, if we lose, we lose together."
Not that losing is in his plans, "It (team selection) was quite easy - everyone can pick their own team. It's a unique occasion, and whether the experience is good or bad, you can't get enough of it. My job is to lead Chesterfield out on Sunday and it will be a very proud day for me. We will move heaven and earth to win it.
"I'm excited for the game. Everyone will have a tear for people who aren't with us. Wembley appearances become very rare, so we will enjoy it. I love to see kids leave Chesterfield with their colours and the scarves.
"When we get up on Monday, we will look forward to the next game - the promotion campaign is nearing an end and we look forward to that."
Kit? Check!
Given the fact that the Posh are in League One, it would be easy to suggest that Chesterfield will, on paper, be the underdogs, but Cook says that won't make any difference, "We go there with no fear. Peterborough are having a good campaign, they've got good players.
"Darren (Ferguson) has put a fantastic squad together and there's plenty of ammunition in it. I will think about how good our players are and how fortunate we are to have them. It will be two good teams with good players playing football the right way."
With thousands making the trip, Cook had this to say, "Just enjoy the day come what may. There's no football team around that just wins very Saturday - we are in a promotion place and we're going to Wembley. It's our club, our town and our team, just go and enjoy it."
Finally Tommy Lee, Chesterfield favourite and one of the remaining players from the team that won the cup 3 years ago, says he is, "Confident , looking forward to it. We're going down there to prepare well and the lads are excited. It means a lot.
"I was back home yesterday taking the tickets and that's the reason you play football - for my mum and dad and my brothers to be there again - it's special."
Tommy says that, with the opponents being League One, expectations will be on Peterborough and that may mean less pressure for Chesterfield, allowing them to be freer to play - but the dressing room won't see it that way, "They're in a higher league, they will be expected to win but the gaffer will be telling us that we're the favourites by Sunday, 'cos that's what the staff are like and we'll go there full of confidence.
"We've had a difficult league campaign and we're 6 games away from where we want to be. This is a nice distraction, but we know the league's a priority - but if we get a win on Sunday, then it will stand us in good stead.
"All the lads appreciate the support they have had all season."
Listen to Tommy Lee's Interview in full here...
For more information and other CFC news, go to www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk
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