"It's difficult when the fans are chanting 'Rico Out' it certainly doesn't help the players who are trying their best on the pitch. We need the fans to get behind us and hopefully this season they won't be on anyone's back and they will get behind us and help us on to promotion," he said.

"I think Lee's a good manger and I enjoy playing for him. I don't really understand why the fans were getting on his back because he's doing a good job. Eighth in the league isn't that bad, but obviously it was disappointing to miss out on both promotion and the play offs."

Following the departure of Alan O'Hare to Mansfield Town, Niven is now the club's longest serving player Chesterfield, despite being only 24.

"I've signed for another year and I am happy with that and I'm looking forward to the new season. I feel I didn't have the best of season's last year and I wasn't at my best often enough. So I will have to work hard and I hope to help Chesterfield back to League One," he added.

Niven, who joined the club from Bolton in December 2003, passed 200 first team appearances towards the end of last season.

"I try and get on the front foot and win tackles and play the simple pass and to get forward and score a few goals. Some people say my passing isn't the best but I think it's not as bad as some people say.

"It can be improved and I will be trying to improve all of my game because I have ambitions to play at as high a level as possible," he said.

Chesterfield: Preview for the season, including ins and outs and squad numbers. Don't miss Saturday's Green'Un newspaper

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