Young Spireites defender Alex Whitney has joined step-three side Stocksbridge Park Steels on a development loan, giving the second-year scholar a chance to experience senior football on a consistent basis in the Northern Premier League.
Whitney said: “I heard about the possibility of the move a couple of weeks ago, and with the added depth in the first team now, I’ve been given the opportunity to go out and get myself some experience in senior football which I haven’t had much of yet.
“It’ll be good for my development, a different challenge to the youth football and hopefully I can make the most of it over the next few weeks and months.
“It’s obviously been a big transition from academy to first team football this season, but I think this is just another step in the journey to bridge the gap and come back a better player than I was before.”
Park Steels have seen players such as Jamie Vardy come through their ranks in the past, and Whitney gave his thoughts on his loan club, saying: “They’ve got a good group of lads, they’re honest, they work hard and they’re nice and aggressive.
“I think it links up a lot with what the gaffer wants at Chesterfield, so hopefully I can learn a lot of things with Stocksbridge that align with that.”
Academy manager Neil Cluxton said: “I would like to thank both Jordan Lemon and Joe Tomlinson, together with Stocksbridge Park Steels, for providing Alex with this valuable experience of senior football.”
Whitney is the latest second-year scholar to venture out on a development loan, along with Gunner Elliot (Matlock Town), Bailey Wright (Parkgate), Ethan Hardy (Clipstone), Marcus McKernan and Josh Hague (Doncaster City).
