BY PAUL KELLETT
NEWS OF FORMER BLUES
This season marks the ninth anniversary of Chesterfield's most successful ever FA Cup run. Today's article recalls the team that played in the FAC Semi-Final at Old Trafford against Middlesborough on 13th April 1997and their career paths since.
Billy Mercer
A £250,000 bid proved too tempting and Billy made the journey to Bristol City in 1999. An Auto Windscreens Shield runner-up in his first season at Ashton Gate, but after only 25 league appearances was forced to retire through injury early in 2003. Billy later moved back to the Rotherham area and worked for a friend in a pub renovation business, before being appointed the goalkeeping coach at Sheffield Wednesday for the start of the 2004/05 season.
Jamie Hewitt
Continued as a player with Chesterfield until retiring at the end of the 2001/02 season and now stands second in the Spireites all-time appearance list. Still at the club today in the role of club physio.
Mark Jules
Moved to Halifax Town in 1999 and played one season for Alfreton Town - whilst working as a meter reader. With an eye to the future Mark studied for a Sports Science degree, which he duly completed. Today Mark is a familiar face around the club in his role as Centre of Excellence Manager, a position he has held since 2004.
Tom Curtis
Sold to Portsmouth for £50,000 on the eve of the 2000/01 season, Tom struggled to hold a regular place down on the south coast and was loaned out to Walsall and Tranmere Rovers. Returned to the area with Mansfield Town in 2002 before a move to Chester City in the summer 2005, indeed this was an eventful time for Tom as he also got married.
Mark Williams
Joined Premiership Watford in 1999, Mark also gave service to Wimbledon/MK Dons, Stoke City, American club Columbus Crew and appears to have retired from football after a spell with Rushden & Diamonds at the end of last season. Won 36 caps for Northern Ireland, including 4 whilst at Chesterfield - Mark's International shirt against Moldova proudly hangs in the CFC boardroom.
Sean Dyche
Like Billy Mercer, Sean was also transferred to Bristol City, signing in 1997 for a £275,000 fee. Loaned out to Luton Town, Sean then joined Millwall for the 1999/00 season, subsequently played for Watford and is currently the club captain at Northampton Town.
Kevin Davies
The first member of the FAC Semi-Final team to move on, when in May 1997 Premiership Southampton came in with a £750,000 fee. A few eyebrows were raised in Chesterfield when Blackburn Rovers splashed out a club record £7.25m the following season and it was realised there was no sell-on clause. However, the move to Blackburn did not work out for Kevin and he returned to Southampton. Had a loan spell at Millwall before Sam Allardyce took him to Bolton Wanderers for the start of the 2003/04 season and has since proved his worth in the Premiership.
Paul Holland
The third member of our Semi-Final team to join Bristol City, following a similar path to Billy Mercer: signed in 1999, an Auto Windscreens Shield runner-up and also had to retire through injury. Paul was appointed Mansfield Town's Youth Team Manager in 2002 and has filled the role of caretaker assistant-manager with the Stags.
Andy Morris
Departed for Rochdale in 1999,and later had spells with Scarborough and Hucknall Town. Andy took over the role of Chesterfield's Football in the Community Manager in the summer of 2000, a role he still fills today.
Jon Howard
The last member of the Semi-Final team to leave the playing staff at Chesterfield - when he joined Burton Albion in 2003, retiring a year later. Jon is now a Worksop based driving instructor and would welcome a call on 0781 8410053 from any Spireite fans who require lessons. Jon was welcome visitor to Saltergate last summer when he took part in the Gala Open Day football match (pictured relaxing after the game).
Chris Perkins
The only member of the Semi-Final team to leave and then rejoin the playing staff - following a short spell with Hartlepool United in 1999, Chris left Chesterfield for good two years later signing for Lincoln City. Subsequently found employment in the computer industry in the North West, playing in non-league circles for Stalybridge Celtic, Lancaster City, Rossendale United and retired from football after a spell with Chorley last season.
Chris Beaumont (sub came on for Chris Perkins)
Spent 3 seasons in part-time football with Ossett Town and Sheffield FC after leaving Saltergate in 2001. Chris currently runs a Post Office in Sheffield and has been a spectator at a number Chesterfield home games this season.
Darren Carr (non-playing sub)
Left for Gillingham in 1998, Darren went onto to play for Brighton & Hove Albion, Rotherham United, Lincoln City, Carlisle United (the last three on loan), Dover Athletic and finished with Rushden & Diamonds in 2002. Darren is now Bristol based and is involved in a property development business, which he set up with a number of friends from his school days.
