Despite growing up in the south, Steve Spooner actually made his name as a footballer at clubs like Derby County, Halifax and Chesterfield in the late 70's and early 80's.

After moving to Chesterfield in 1983, the midfielder was a key member of John Duncan's title winning team in the 1984/85 season. He moved to Hereford in 1986 but came back to Chesterfield, again under the management of John Duncan, in 1993.

After playing in non league up until he was 40, Steve then moved into coaching and has been at his current club, Birmingham City, for nearly two decades.

In this podcast Steve talks to me about his upbringing in the sport, fond memories of his time at Chesterfield and his love of coaching.

A fans favourite during his time at the club, striker Tom Denton was at Chesterfield from 2018-2022. He played under Martin Allen, John Pemberton, John Sheridan, James Rowe and Paul Cook.

Standing at 6"7, Tom was an imposing presence at the top end of the pitch during his time with the club, and scored important goals that stopped a drop into regional football and turned the club around in the process.

He joined me to talk about starting out with Wakefield, a Wembley trip with North Ferriby United, and those four seasons with the Spireites.

Something a little different for this weeks interview as I got in the car and drove to Nottingham to meet former Spireite defender, Bryn Gunn.

Due to us being in a pub beer garden this weeks episode is a little different and features some of what Bryn and I spoke about during my trip to Nottinghamshire. 

The European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest spoke to me about his time under Brian Clough, signing for Paul Hart's Chesterfield, playoff defeats and how to take the perfect penalty.

Writer Stepehen Poxon joins Dave Garratt this week to talk his new book, ERNIE!

Ernie! is a heartfelt tribute to lower-league football hero Ernie Moss, a local boy made good who became a Chesterfield goalscoring legend. Ernie earned his place in footballing folklore for his phenomenal longevity and as Chesterfield's record goalscorer. It's a story of skill and success, heartbreak and honesty, football and family.

The book brings together memories from former teammates and fans to tell the story of a true legend and Stephen joins me to talk about the process of putting it together, his memories of putting it together and what he learnt about the Spireite number 8.

You can find out more about ERNIE! by visiting https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/ernie

Rob Edwards had three seasons at Chesterfield FC from 2000-2003. During that time he was part of the promotion winning squad under the management of Nicky Law and played alongside previous podcast guests like David Reeves, Sean Parrish and Ryan Williams. 

He also had two long spells at Huddersfield Town either side of his stint with the Spireites and scored a legendary goal in the playoffs in 2004.

Rob joined me to talk about his whole career from being up front, to in defence, and everything in-between. 

Josh Law has an interesting past with Chesterfield FC. His Dad Nicky was a player in the 90s and manager in the 00s so he has fond memories of having a kick about around Saltergate with his cousin, a certain Ollie Banks.

He was then a youth player, and then pro, at Chesterfield in the 00s himself, so it was great to share some Spireites memories from his time from time associated with the club.

Now a coach at Harrogate time we also chatted about his time at clubs like Motherwell, Oldham and York and his move into coaching for the future.

Thanks for supporting the podcast. Please do grab the latest Linda's Sandwich Shop zine at etsy.com/uk/shop/legendsofthespire or by popping into Tallbird Records in Chesterfield town centre.

Steve Fletcher is a huge legend at Bournemouth but in just one season at Chesterfield he became a firm fan favourite there too.

Back in the 2007/08 season he moved up north to join Lee Richardson's Spireites as they tried to build for promotion. He formed a great partnership with Jack Lester that season and although the club missed out on promotion he is well remembered in the town.

Steve joined me to talk about that strike partnership, trips to the Old Firm derby with Jamie Winter and Peter Leven, and returning to Chesterfield for the last game at Saltergate after re-joining Bournemouth.

Still only 22yrs old, Levi Amantchi first joined Chesterfield back when the club was in League One. He was a youth player during the slide down from League One into the National League but got his chance under the management of Martin Allen as the Spireites started life in the National League.

A pacey and strong striker, Levi is currently at National League North club Brackley Town and he joined me to talk about life at Chesterfield, working with Martin Allen and being a footballer during Covid.

Ashley Foyle has enjoyed two spells at Chesterfield FC. Firstly as a product of the youth team and first team squad in the mid 00's, and then as a returning coach for the youth team a decade ago.

From printing his own number on his first team shirt to coaching a young Laurence Maguire during his return to the Spireites as a coach, I delved into his career so far and current role at Lincoln City.

Emma Young has been a Chesterfield fan since being lifted into the air by David Reeves during the pitch invasion after the dramatic last day relegation escape vs Luton in 2004.

She since went on to become the Head Physio at the Spireites before moving onto Coventry City at the start of the season.

Emma joined me to talk about working for the team she supports, managing players physical and mental health and what's in a physio's kit bag!