Why John Pemberton is optimistic about Chesterfield's new academy structure

The club has been forced to scrap the traditional structure because they will no longer receive funding from the Football League after being in the National League for the last two seasons.

As a result, the club has relaunched it as the Chesterfield FC Junior & Youth Academy.

The Spireites will work closely with grassroots teams and they will be able to play against not only National League sides but also Premier League youngsters.

Pemberton told the DT: “I think it is always nice for a football club and a town to be associated with young players.

“At the moment we will probably start with an under-18s team but eventually we want to take it and spread it down so we are getting nine, 10 and 11-year-olds running around in the Chesterfield kit.

“I love going and watching the games and watching the little kids put the kit on because it means so much to them.

“It is sad what has happened with regards to the academy status but it doesn’t say that we can’t be creative and carry on bringing the young ones back in.”

Coach Neil Cluxton, who was Pemberton's assistant this season, will be leading the new academy.

To start with the Spireites are hoping the current first-year youth players will stay on and give them a platform to build from.

.“We are going to have some trials when we can get out and people can apply,” Pemberton added.

“We are going to have an educational programme and make it as much of an academy as we possibly can.

“It is a little bit trial and error. A couple of clubs I have been at before have done it and it is a really good model if you can get it right but we are obviously at an early stage of trying to rebuild it.”

Cluxton previously said: “It is an exciting development and we will be looking for parents of the youngsters and the community to get involved in order to make it a success.”