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Crossley back to make his Mark on Spireites
New Spireites player-coach Mark Crossley, who is 40 today, says he is no stranger to Saltergate.
Chesterfield's goalkeeper recruit said: "I started my career here as a player back in 1985 when I was a 15 years old having played for Hoyland Town Jaguars in the Sheffield Junior League.
"I used to play Saturday morning games here alongside Jamie Hewitt and Bob Bloomer. I'll definitely be finishing my playing days here, so starting and finishing here is a feat in itself."
He signed as an apprentice at Watford but lasted only a short while there, homesickness prompting the Barnsley-born keeper to return up the M1 to join Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest.
On his present-day role alongside John Sheridan and Tommy Wright he commented; "I'll be player coach as well as providing competition for Tommy Lee.
"I've done my coaching badges and I start my pro licence this month. I'm available for selection, you can't beat competition and Tommy will get that from me and I'll get that from Tommy and we'll take it from there and hopefully get the very best out of Tommy." The trio will be recreating the team that performed well at Oldham - "We're ambitious as a management team and there will be some exciting times. We hope to get this club a little higher."
A loan player at Hillsborough in 2006-07 Crossley looked back on his playing career saying; "The highlights of my career are saving an FA Cup Final penalty, one of only two to have done that and I'm the only man ever to have saved a Matt Le Tissier penalty."
His link with Sheridan goes back some time: "I met John at Forest but he only played one game there before moving to Sheffield Wednesday and we got on well. Later on I left Fulham and I wanted to keep playing and John gave me the call at Oldham and I played for two years and joined the back room staff. John is a top class young manager who'll want his team to play some good football."
Sheridan is pleased with the squad he's inherited but will be looking to add to it soon.
"When I look at the squad it's got a good blend. I'd like to bring one or two more in to just strengthen and push people.
"I don't want anyone in a comfort zone, anyone who gets in the comfort zone won't be in my side. I want people to be out there consistently playing well, being winners with people pushing them all of the time.
"Everyone's on the same level. There's a new manager and I'll look at all of the players, they'll all start at the same level and I'll give them all a chance and I hope they all come back fighting and want to be in the side."
He's keen to create a positive atmosphere at Saltergate; "It's important the players appreciate you and get on with you and you treat them right. I want them to enjoy themselves, come in and express themselves and enjoy being a footballer, they're very lucky. If I can get that, it'll take us a long way towards where we want to go."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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