The Spireites have now linked-up with three junior football clubs, Chesterfield Junior Blues, Brampton Rovers and AFC Dronfield, so that young footballers, who could make the grade, are identified early for the club's Centre of Excellence, which runs from U9's to U16's.

The three-way link-up means that the Spireites scouting network is significantly improved locally but there will be other benefits as well. 

Coaching staff will be supported by Chesterfield FC, and any talented youngsters will be nurtured by their junior club until they reach the high standard required by the Centre of Excellence.

Centre of Excellence manager, Mark Jules, said: "This is quite a milestone because we have struggled to retain local youngsters in the past but these new links should help us keep an eye out so local talent stays local."

Mark Jules added: "We are delighted that the junior clubs, two having had previous links with Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, want to work closely with us as they recognize this will help build on the good work we have already started at Chesterfield."

For this season eight members of Chesterfield's well-respected Centre of Excellence, the highest intake ever, will be taking up two-year youth scholarships with the Blues.

The hope is that these latest new links will see many more local faces coming through instead of going to neighbouring football clubs, where coaching standards are no better than at Chesterfield.

Secretary of Chesterfield Junior Blues, Steve Coe, said: "We welcome any junior football clubs who share the same commitment to CFC and look forward to working together as the scounting network for young talent in the area."

Chairman of AFC Dronfield, Graham Bearder, said: "All the lads are excited about this new link because it gives them the chance of progressing to the next level in football. To us Chesterfield is more like a family club and we believe our players and coaches will get more attention and support than is possible from some of the bigger clubs."

Chairman of Brampton Rovers, Sean Newton, said: "We are delighted to forge these links with our local football league club as it gives some structure locally to grassroots football and an outlet for any players showing real ability."

An early sign of progress with youth development at Chesterfield FC is that two of youth team manager Dave Bentley's scholars, Jamie Jackson and Jamie Lowry, start their first season as professional footballers next season and are currently in pre-season training with the first team squad.

Meanwhile, Chesterfield's Football in the Community officer Andy Morris is also keeping an eye out for local talent with his programme of regular school coaching visits around the Chesterfield area.

Chesterfield manager Roy McFarland said: "Supporters like nothing better than a local lad made good and this latest initiative from Mark Jules, his team of coaches and the local junior clubs, gives local youngsters, who have the talent to be professional footballers, something to aspire to."

Chesterfield Junior Blues, Brampton Rovers and AFC Dronfield run teams in all age groups from U7 in both the Sheffield Junior Sunday League and the Rowsley League.

This latest move by the Spireites also builds on sheer hard work, which is starting to turn the tide in favour of the League One club.

Not only are more talented local youngsters starting to be integrated into the club's Centre of Excellence but this season has also seen a record number of eight local lads, who have come through from a young age, move directly onto the club's two-year youth scholarship scheme. It's the highest number ever at the club.

And an early sign of progress with youth development at Chesterfield FC is that two of youth team manager Dave Bentley's scholars from last year, striker Jamie Jackson and defender Jamie Lowry(pictured above), have now started their first season as professional footballers. They signed professional contracts with the Spireites during the summer.