Ex coach raves about Chesterfield new boy '“ Grimsby promotion hero Nolan

Jon Nolan has agreed terms with the Spireites just 48 hours after he and his Grimsby Town team-mates suffered an FA Trophy final defeat at the hands of Halifax.

That was their second Wembley appearance this season, having won the National League play-off final.

The 24-year-old midfielder began last season as a Lincoln City player, but was released by the Imps after a loan spell at Wrexham broke down.

David Preece was one of Lincoln’s coaches at the time and believes Nolan is capable of big things.

“We had Jon at Lincoln for 18 months at Lincoln City and always knew that Jon was the type of player who would only improve, the higher the level of football he played,” said Preece.

“The potential has always been there but he’s taken his time to realise himself just how far he could go and what it takes to get there.”

Preece says the youngster can star at both ends of the pitch for the Spireites.

“He’s an excellent passer of the ball,” he said.

“A player who is really easy on the eye and likes to dictate games from in front of the back four.

“That said though, he’s more than capable of affecting the game further forward because he has a great capacity to get around the pitch. “When he’s running, it looks effortless.

“It might seem as if I’m building him up too much but he really is capable of going as far as he wants if he grabs this chance.”

Nolan went to Grimsby in January and spent the second half of the season with the National League club, helping them to a play-off final win over Forest Green Rovers.

His career began in Everton’s youth system before a move to Stockport County.