Chesterfield Football Club is delighted to launch the junior development squads as an extension of the category four academy from the 2026/27 season for the first time since exiting the Football League in 2018, as the club continues its progression on and off the pitch.
The U9-U16 age group development squads will be introduced, whilst U7 and U8 squads will compete in ‘little league’ games. The U9-U16 development squads will compete in a small games programme during the week as well as a mid-week and school holidays games programme, giving them plenty of match experience and touches of the ball in small-sided and full-sided games to develop multiple areas.
A recruitment drive will look for players predominantly at grassroots level within Derbyshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, supporting and building relationships with local teams and schools who the players would still be eligible to play for.
Open trials set to commence in June, aiming to begin next season with around 120 new players competing under the Chesterfield FC badge in youth development squads against other academies.
Training sessions will primarily take place at the University of Sheffield’s Norton Sports Park on Warminster Road, where the academy is currently based Monday-Friday, which will be combined with additional midweek strength and conditioning sessions at the SMH Group Stadium.
The move looks to build on the recent success of the academy, with Gunner Elliott going from grassroots to playing international football within months, while also becoming the second youngest player to play for the Spireites after having only played grassroots football previously.
This marks another step in the long-term vision of the club, with a view of the academy being based predominantly on local recruitment going forward to increase the number of Derbyshire-born players in the first-team squad in the years to come.
The club would like to thank academy sponsors MW Window Systems for their continued support of the young Spireites since the club made its return to the EFL.
More information will follow in the coming days.
