THANKS LADS AND GOOD LUCK !
Chesterfield Manager Dave Rushbury announced at the start of last week that three Spireites will not be offered terms for next season, long serving Jonathan Howard, another man of several years, Marcus Ebdon plus Martyn Booty, the Club Captain and a player of two seasons.
We will all have memories of the trio, perhaps Jon Howard's contribution to nostalgia will be fairly consistent amongst Spireites fans, his "over the line but no goal, we love you Mr Elleray" moment will surely be talked about, not only in North Derbyshire, but Worldwide, for decades to come. How many other Chesterfield players can claim to have been talked about by such a wide audience for so long?
I first remember hearing of Jonathan when he was a youngster at Rotherham United who seemed to regularly pop in goals and was delighted when he joined Chesterfield after a brief spell at Buxton, but his outstanding performances in the Cup run culminating in him being up ended for a penalty at Old Trafford and the subsequent (and proven) Referee's error will be what he'll always be remembered for.
He's suffered with injury a bit recently, cracked ribs and a broken ankle in the same season take some recovering from, but Jon always took adversity in his stride and just got on with the job.
Marcus "Taffy" Ebdon was signed on during our glorious Cup run, he was of course cup tied having played for Peterborough United in the early rounds, so he was only able to watch from the sidelines though he performed admirably in our excellent (and often forgotten) League season. Like Jon, Marcus has had his fair share of injuries and John Duncan and Kevin Randall both still point to his absence as a major factor in our relegation three years ago.
His trademark dropping of the shoulder soon became a familiar sight at Saltergate and his vision made him a "must" for selection during the majority of his time with Chesterfield Football Club. Always calm, a trait seen this season as a willing (and successful) penalty taker, my favourite memory will remain his long range powerblaster earlier this season at Plymouth Argyle, the only goal in a game which saw us become the first "away" team to win at Home Park in 13 months. Thanks to that late strike, I won the press box sweep stake and walked away happy with the result and £5 better off!
Martyn Booty was signed during the turbulent summer of 2001 when the Club was battling for its very survival having being ruined by the previous regime, saved by its supporters, the Club entered administration and had a transfer embargo in place. However we managed to make three summer signings right on the very eve of the season, Nathan Abbey (mmm!), Keith Rowland, who was soon a long term injury victim, now at Barnet and Martyn Booty, a player whose fortunes I'd closely followed after he'd joined Crewe Alexandra from Coventry City.
Straight away, Boots fitted in, his conduct in the dressing room (well, at least that we can talk about) was exemplary and he seemed to become the pragmatic father figure, summed up after last season's Player of the Year celebrations when, at the end of a long (and occasionally shandy filled) night, he was the guy making sure everyone had got a lift home or to their hotel. He's that sort of thoughtful bloke.
Always one to speak his mind, those of us at Wycombe Wanderers earlier this season will have witnessed his passion after the final whistle as he tried to find the supporter (sic) who'd continually being criticising some of the team, the offender though was unwilling to come forward for a discussion!
His last minute leveller at Notts County on August Bank Holiday Monday shortly after his arrival, a 30 yard special, will of course be my long lasting "on the field" memory, but my over riding memory of Martyn is, and always will be, that he's as good a man as ever walked into that Saltergate dressing room. You'll be missed.
To all three men, my blessing will, by itself mean little, but I'm sure I can speak for all Spireites in wishing them all the very best in their professional and personal lives in the future and they'll always be welcomed back to Saltergate.
By Phil Tooley
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