Assistant-manager Danny Webb is relishing the chance for the Spireites to take on higher opposition when Northampton Town visit the Technique Stadium for the Emirates FA Cup first round.
Speaking to the media, he said: “We want to be in that league next year, playing against the likes of Northampton, week in and week out.
“They are doing well. The manager has done well since taking over. I think it was a club in decline when he took over and he has got them going the right way again as a football club.
“It’s going to be tough. They are a good team, a strong team. They are all the things that you need at any level.
“We are not facing a team down the bottom of League Two with ownership problems and an under-pressure manager. This is a real different type of test where we are actually the underdogs.
“Obviously the supporters, ourselves and the players are going to turn up expecting and wanting to win.”
Chesterfield go into the game on a five-match unbeaten streak, stretching back to the 3-0 win over Anstey Nomads in the fourth qualifying round.
Heading into the game, Webb acknowledges that the team face a slightly different build-up to the match.
Webb said: “I think it’s completely different feeling to approaching a league game. It’s the FA Cup and I think we saw last year as a football club what it did to the town for the Chelsea game.
“I wasn’t part of the club all those years ago when they had the run and unluckily losing to Middlesbrough. That gripped the town even more.
“Chesterfield and the FA Cup has got a bit of history. We’re looking to continue that with a good win and hopefully get to those big rounds as we go on.”
The FA Cup has produced some of football’s greatest ever moments in the 150+ years of its existence.
Webb reminisced of a few memories that stand out to him when he thinks of the FA Cup, saying: “I’ve got a few. My dad is probably best known for his FA Cup contributions at Chelsea. It’s nice to see little re-runs of that when it comes on the TV. That’s a massive memory for my family.
“I scored a cracking own goal against Sheffield United in the FA Cup a few years ago. I won’t tell you too much about that!
“The Chelsea game will live long in our memories. Yes, it would’ve been nice if the game was a little bit closer. When Akwasi scored and you see the 6,000 behind the goal celebrating like we had won the game, that was very emotional for all of us. That stands out for me.”
