The Chesterfield Courier
Squad10 Aug 2026
Freddie Ladapo damages knee ligaments — 49 days out
The words a physio says slowly. 49 days is what the club will announce and everybody who has heard this diagnosis before knows the number is the least of it: the knee comes back before the player does.
Transfer targets10 Aug 2026
An offer of $6.5M for Róbert Boženík
Chesterfield have gone to Stoke City with a bid, and the supporters have gone to the internet with an opinion about it. Whether either changes anything is up to the selling club.
Market10 Aug 2026
Chesterfield say no — this time
The offer from Hibernians for Will Grigg was heard out and sent back the same day. First bids are rarely meant to succeed; they are meant to find out how loudly the door closes.
Market10 Aug 2026
Chesterfield promote David King from within
The academy exists for exactly this morning. David King has come through every age group the club runs and has now been handed a senior number, and the people who coached him at twelve will be the proudest in the building.
Market10 Aug 2026
Paul Jones steps up from the Chesterfield academy
There is no fee, no unveiling and no agent on the steps. Paul Jones has been at this club since he was a boy and is now, formally, one of the first-team squad — which for a local readership beats any signing of any size.
Market10 Aug 2026
Simon Graham steps up from the Chesterfield academy
There is no fee, no unveiling and no agent on the steps. Simon Graham has been at this club since he was a boy and is now, formally, one of the first-team squad — which for a local readership beats any signing of any size.
Squad10 Aug 2026
Sheyi Ojo has outgrown this division
There is a level at which a footballer stops being tested and starts being contained, and he reached it some time ago. Chesterfield know it, and so does everybody who watches him.
Squad10 Aug 2026
Zach Hemming stays put
“The easiest signature of my career.” Zach Hemming and Chesterfield agree another 3 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
The dugout10 Aug 2026
Tom Pearce knocks on the manager's door
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Chesterfield, and both men came out saying it was fine.
In brief
- Squad Harrison Bettoni is a square peg at Chesterfield
- Looking ahead Ryan Stirk faces his old club
- Looking ahead Looking ahead: Walsall at home