In an end-of-season message to supporters Chesterfield FC chairman Barrie Hubbard has expressed his disappointment that the club has just missed out on promotion and recognises he may have taken his eye off the ball by being a little too focused on the stadium development plans.    

He said: "This has been the busiest period I have ever known at the club in my role as chairman for the majority of the last 25 years but it looks like all our hard work is about to bear some fruit.

"The stadium plans have now been submitted for planning approval and new majority shareholders who want to invest in the club will be revealed before too long.

"We didn't achieve the promotion we dearly wanted but there have been some good games and we have scored some cracking goals.  I am disappointed that our home supporters have missed some of our best performances, which have been away from home this season.

"I am pleased that home support has been similar to last season but the drop in our average attendances at Saltergate is due mainly to the poor levels of away support from visiting clubs.  Not so our supporters, who I wish too pay tribute to, for travelling in such good numbers away from home to support the team.

"It really does now look as though next season will be our last full season here at Saltergate.  Learning the lessons from this season, along with the prospect of new owners and a new stadium, have all the hallmarks of a new era beginning for our football club.

"On behalf of the Board may I thank you for your valuable support and hope that you all have a good summer so you can come back refreshed and ready for a new season."

Watch 'Barrie on the Spot' an exclusive Spireites World TV interview in two parts available now via Freeview