Tooley’s Take

Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context

Walsall 2 Chesterfield 1 (aggregate 4-1)

League Two Play-off Semi-final, Second Leg

As it says above, this column is about the game and its context. Game? Disappointing. Context? Town will be playing Barnet and Cambridge United next season.

Of course, they’re the immediate headlines that don’t tell half of the story. The semi-final tie was mainly lost in the first leg, a two goal-deficit was always going to be a tough task, and the second encounter was fundamentally similar, with plenty of blue possession, a few decent chances, Walsall looking to play on the break but ultimately not enough joy where and when it mattered.

This was a 0-0 game that only spawned goals when Paul Cook tried out a new 2-2-6 formation! Exciting, but ultimately flawed! A couple of ‘maybes’ with the Jensen Metcalfe ruled out goal and the non-pen on Armando Dobra, but overall I thought the referee was good and didn’t get a deal wrong.

One new ‘record’ and another equalled; Liam Mandeville became the first ever Spireite to appear in seven play-off games, overhauling the six of Jamie Hewitt and Lee Rogers, whilst Mandy’s record of being the only Chesterfield player to score in two different play-off campaigns was equalled by Dobra.

Once the disappointment of the day (or days, as the first game contributed to our general current malaise) has been extinguished, Chesterfield supporters can reflect on the upward trajectory the club is on and the blessing of having Paul Cook as manager.

During the club’s six year loan to the National League, 11 other clubs were promoted. How did they fare in the following season in EFL2? Well, let’s look!

Bromley, a very creditable #11. The season before that, Hollywood clearly showed how to do it ($$$) moving up again in second spot, but fellow 100+ point rivals Notts County finished in #14. Stockport County and Grimsby Town the season before, fourth (and play-off elimination) and eleventh respectively. Note, Stockport champions 12-months later!

Sutton United and Hartlepool United went up in 21/22, Sutton finished their first ever EFL season at #14, Hartlepool, straight back down. Barrow and Harrogate Town, #22 and #19, whilst the two successful sides in our debut NL season, Leyton Orient (including assistant manager Danny Webb) and Salford City, #11 and #8.

So out of 12 step-ups, only one promotion the following season (a real fairytale) and the only team to have reached the play-offs missed out, only to be crowned champions next time round. That’s the model to follow. Orient another ‘that’ll do nicely’ scenario. Context.

A bit more context? Whether you want it or not, you’re getting it! Paul Cook.

Sligo Rovers. Not won the FAI Cup since 1994, PC led them to triumphs in 2010 and 2011. They’d never won the FAI League Cup, but did in 2010. Progress. Success.

Two part seasons at Accrington Stanley, but those of us around in the autumn of 2012 saw how well they could play, his move to Chesterfield saw first spell finishes of eighth L2, champions, play-offs L1. Huge progress and success.

Portsmouth, play-offs then champions. Wigan Athletic, champions of L1 in his first season and, against all odds, keeping them in the Championship for a season before an inevitable (you need to know the horrendous financials of the club back then) relegation. Stellar work at both clubs.

Ipswich Town let him build a squad that went on to do pretty well but didn’t give him the time, so back at Chesterfield, play-off semi, play-off final, champions, #7 in EFL2. Incredible progress and success.

But all of that success as a manager doesn’t mean you’re a solid citizen. Paul Cook is. Just look at what Walsall’s boss Mat Sadler said about our manager after their triumph. Just look at how he looked after his players when hoards of home fans invaded before the end of the second leg. Just look at the classlessness of many other managers in post-match interviews when they spout nonsense to try and deflect on their own shortcomings.

At Chesterfield we have owners that care, a manager and staff who care, players who come and go but always seem to feel they’ve been in a special place, a massively growing supporter base who care, a community approach that ensures everyone is welcome and has a chance to join in the fun. It’s never been aligned this way in my time.

Ten years ago, I said we’d peaked and sadly that turned out to be true, though I never thought the trough we fell into would be so deep. Ten years on, now, the present, we’re at base camp in something that’s going to be very special.

We’ll all shed a tear or two this week as some of our favourites, our heroes, will inevitably wave goodbye to us, but don’t be disappointed. Be excited, energised, eager for the new season because before you know it, we’ll be dreaming about the promised land again, that mythical place beyond League One. Whilst we may have a bumpy ride, the club is certainly in the best shape to challenge since the heady days of Birch, Wilson, Bonnyman, Moss, Salmons, Green, Ridley, O’Neill, Walker and co, despite still being a division away from that massive hurdle.

But we won’t be for long, we’re not lightyears away from dreaming of going to infinity and beyond!

Phil’s Positive: I slipped quietly out of the ground soon after the final whistle and was home at 11.25pm.

Next Match: Can’t wait for the pre-season games to be announced!

Chesterfield (4-2-3-1 to start): Boot; Mandeville (Colclough 74), Palmer, McFadzean, Gordon (Sparkes 87); Fleck, Metcalfe (Grigg 67); Banks (Duffy 74), Dobra, Naylor (Jacobs 82); Pepple. Unused Subs: Thompson, Grimes