Reviewing 2025/26

Second favourites for the title when the first ball was kicked in August, the Spireites were never outside the top 10 but only inside the top 3 once all season long. Which gives you an idea of the consistency of Paul Cook's team. They actually drew 16 games out of 46 and lost just 9. Had they turned just 2 of those draws into wins, they'd have pinched 3rd place from Cambridge and gone up automatically.

As it was, they succumbed 1-0 over two legs to Notts County in the play off semi finals.

Looking ahead to 2026/27

They start 2026/27 pre season as promotion favourites. Albeit in a very tight and congested odds list. Signings of Hutton, McEachran and Sotiriou all lead you to believe they are going to be making a concerted push to get out of the fourth tier,

A couple more signings, even loan arrivals would help to bolster the squad to sustain and title charge. It is good see the new arrivals aren't all well into their 30's and looking for a final pay check. That's when you know there's something brewing.

Court Offside Tip

Early predictions time, I had Chesterfield winning the league and so did the bookies but as the transfer window has gone on, it's not been clear to see a real push from the SMH Group Stadium towards guaranteeing an automatic promotion push and as such they've dwindled their way down to fourth. With odds of Evens to finish in the top 7 I think the bookies are actually offering some pretty decent value.