KEVIN Gray plans to use the winning formula which carried Carlisle United to back-to-back promotions to help his new club Chesterfield bounce back from relegation.

The 35-year-old former Blues skipper is relishing the prospect of helping The Spireites win promotion from League Two at the first attempt in what will be his 19th season in professional football.

Gray, freed by United at the end of last season after playing a key role in two promotion campaigns, is hungry for more silverware and hasn't thought about when he might hang up his boots even though he is doing his coaching badges.

The inspirational defender hopes he can use his experience to inspire Chesterfield to the kind of success enjoyed by Carlisle over the past three seasons, and is also backing his old club to make a bold promotion push next season.

Gray said: "The atmosphere at Carlisle was brilliant and that really helped us on the pitch because it bred great camaraderie

"Everybody was willing to go out and work hard for each other, and that's why we were so successful.

"Chesterfield want to go for promotion which is sometimes easier said than done but I know what it takes to do it and hopefully I can help them get back into League One.

"This is another challenge for me and I'm very much looking forward to it. We're back in pre-season training on July 5 and I'm re-energised after the summer break and raring to go.

"I intend playing for as long as I can because you're a long time retired. I plan to keep looking after myself and hopefully my experience can help Chesterfield."

Gray, who clocked up 145 appearances during his time at Brunton Park, was delighted to discover that he was still in big demand even in the twilight of his career.

He spoke to York City, Accrington Stanley and Scottish First Division side Livingston about possible moves but opted to link up with his former Huddersfield Town team-mate Lee Richardson, who was appointed Chesterfield manager in March following the departure of Roy McFarland.

But he admits he was bitterly disappointed to be shown the door by United, who he joined from Tranmere Rovers in November 2003, although he is backing them for success next season.

He said: "I think they can push on because they still have the nucleus of a good squad together.

"My time at Carlisle was one of the best times of my career - and I'll really miss it, but you have to move on.

"There was never the possibility of staying because the manager made the decision about who he wanted to leave or stay. You have to stand by that but I wouldn't have minded staying."

Original article by Amanda Little

Reproduced by courtesy of the Carlisle News & Star