The average age of the Chesterfield squad has been falling for the last few seasons, with younger players like Tcham N'Toya, Mark De Bolla, Alex Bailey and Derek Niven amongst many in their early 20's that are now regular features of the first eleven, it was vital that Roy McFarland's summer recruiting brought in some experience but it was somewhat of a surprise when we signed 34 year old ex Spireite Shane Nicholson after he'd been released by League One rivals Tranmere Rovers.

Having established himself in his first season at Prenton Park, the Newark born left back found last season a little more frustrating. An injury at around the time new Boss Brian Little came in restricted his appearances in the latter stages of the season and as the Wirral outfit enjoyed a good run in both League and Cup, Shane was mainly restricted to the bench. As a result, it always looked odds on that the man who'd previously featured for Lincoln City, Derby County, WBA, Chesterfield, Stockport County and Sheffield United would move on. But back to Saltergate?

The defender's view is clear, "It didn't look like I was going to be playing at Tranmere and at my age I want to play games, so when I heard that Chesterfield were interested in me and with Roy McFarland being here, who I know from Derby, I came to speak to him once and that was it, my mind was made up. I'm enjoying it here, really enjoying it. We've got a great set of lads; the backroom staff are brilliant so I'm really enjoying it."

Shane was here last during the 1998-99 season, the obvious question to ask concerns the differences now to then, "The style of football we're playing for starters, we're allowed to get the ball down and play a bit, which wasn't something we did the first time I was here. There's a good set of young lads, that's another thing that's different, there was only me and Muggy in the Colchester game who are over 30, so it's looking promising for the Club."

Indeed that fact must put additional pressure on the likes of Shane. Against Colchester in particular, there were many wild challenges flying around, a fair few on Nicholson himself, but the old warhorse just dusted himself down and got on with it after each lunge when many others would have done a spot of writhing to try to get a card for the opponent. Does he relish his role as one of the senior members of the squad? "Certainly, I've got a responsibility now when I go out on the pitch to show the young lads how it should be done. If there are a few challenges, well I've done a few of them myself in the past and I've not helped myself really, but you've just got to get on with the game. We've got a job to do and we have to stick to it." (Written before Luton game! - Phil)

When you think of Shane Nicholson, the natural thought is "left back" but at Prenton Park in particular, he played a fair bit of football on the left of midfield. With the likes of Alan O'Hare and Mark Innes in the Spireites pool of talent, the left side is blessed with ability, so where does Shane prefer playing, with a defensive duty or with a bit more attacking freedom? "I prefer left back. I've never been a left-winger in my life, I've not got a trick to save my life! I'll do the job gladly if asked but I prefer to play left full back. It's always good to have competition for places, it's bound to keep you on your toes, but my aim for the season is to play as many games as I can do and when I'm not playing, I want to help the lads who are playing, then if I'm not playing I want to be straight back into the first team at the first chance given. But when I'm not playing, I'll be here supporting the boys." Just the spirit Shane!

Regarding the younger members of the squad, and Colchester two goal hero N'Toya in particular, Shane is very impressed with the level of skill and the enthusiasm shown to date but he's clear it's hard work that will get the results, "Firstly you've got to have the work ethic, Tcham's found that out, he's got frightening pace and with the ball at his feet he's got a few tricks, but the first thing he must do is get his work rate and then the tricks can come out late on."

The past of Nicholson has been well documented, his life was in turmoil in the mid 1990's, but now he's a reformed man, a family man. "My two kids have changed my life a great deal, my whole life's changed a great deal in the last six years, a total turnaround, which is hard to believe, I'm enjoying my life and enjoying my football. I got married to Josie in June and things are really good."

Also in June, he celebrated his Birthday, 34 on the 3^rd, so surely he's beginning to think of life after playing, "I'd like to stay in football, obviously I've been in it since I left school, but in what capacity I don't know, coaching kids or whatever, it would be good to stay in the game."

For a man who's been through so much commotion in his life but has come through as a shining beacon to others, he'd be a welcome addition to any football club's assets, but for now, we're just extremely pleased to have him on the pitch performing in a class manner, using his experience to help a young squad flourish.

For the record, Shane's League career before returning to Saltergate in the summer has seen him appear in 439 League games scoring 19 goals, he's an accomplished penalty taker. The Club he's featured for the most is his first Club, Lincoln, 133 League games plus a season in the Conference (1987-88) before he made a £100,000 move to Derby in 1992. In 1996 having never firmly establishing a regular place in The Rams' line up, a £150,000 fee took him to The Hawthorns but having left them with his career in ruins due to off the field problems, he began his rehabilitation with a season at Chesterfield, two at Stockport, an excellent year with The Blades before, in 2002, moving to Rovers.

PHIL TOOLEY