Chesterfield: Play-off despair powered Spireites promotion season
- Published
Chesterfield lost on penalties to Notts County in last season's play-off final in a third successive play-off failure
Chesterfield used the disappointment of losing last season's play-off final as 'fuel' for their promotion season.
Last May, the Spireites lost on penalties to Notts County in the National League final at Wembley.
But promotion back to the EFL, and the league title was secured with five games to spare as they beat Boreham Wood 3-0 on Saturday.
"We've used that day as fuel in the last couple of weeks," captain Jamie Grimes told BBC Radio Sheffield.
"For the players, the fans, everyone involved in the club, it was gutting. You saw everyone's reaction.
"I have to give credit to all the players and everyone here because they've dug so deep and made so many sacrifices from that time."
Chesterfield finished third in the table last season, a distant 27 points behind champions Wrexham and 24 adrift of Notts County.
But in the winner-takes-all game at Wembley, they twice led Notts only to be beaten 3-2 in the shoot-out.
It was their third successive campaign to end in play-off disappointment, but that has never looked likely this season as they have dominated the division.
Nearest challengers Barnet are 21 points behind, while Grimes' second goal against Boreham Wood was the 100th in the league for Paul Cook's side.
Captain Jamie Grimes is one of 10 players in the Spireites squad who featured at Wembley last May
'Get ready for League Two ride'
There is still a month of the season to go, and although there is a desire to collect the five points they need to bring up a century, the Spireites already have half an eye on what awaits in League Two.
"There have been a lot of factors in our promotion," said assistant manager and former Chesterfield player Danny Webb.
"An experienced manager, good players, tremendous owners and infrastructure, good backroom staff and a hell of a lot of good supporters - it ticks all the boxes.
"League Two is going to be a big jump up, a big gap in quality from what we are used to, but let's enjoy the rest of the season.
"There are some good teams in the National League and even better ones in League Two, so everyone has got to get ready for another ride."