Chesterfield FC has given five of their youth team players the opportunity of playing professional football.

Pictured left to right with youth team manager Dave Bentley are Chris Tingay, Tendayi Darikwa, Jimmy Adcock, Ryan Granger and Craig Clay, who have all been offered contracts to aid their further development and a chance of becoming professional footballers.

Although the number of new pro contracts being offered to its scholars is a record high for Chesterfield, this decision didn't surprise youth team manager Dave Bentley who commented: "Since manager John Sheridan joined us last summer the words were 'If they're good enough I'll put them in' and credit to the manager he's done just that. He's got them involved in training and they've had good experiences throughout the season."

Craig Clay has already featured amongst Sheridan's senior squad during the concluding stages of the season, with a place on the bench.

Despite not making a senior appearance, Bentley believes that Clay's excellence, like his promoted team mates, is justifiable; "I think Craig has earned himself the right of a two year contract because he has been involved in the first team quite a bit this year,"

He added: " Tendayi has got a year's contract, and the three other boys have got six months, but that could go on for a year, two years, it just depends on how they adapt to the situation."

Under the watchful eyes of youth team manager Dave Bentley, and his staff, the Spireites have awarded first professional contracts to a number of their scholars over recent years. These have included Adam Smith, Jamie Lowry and more recently Dan Gray and Jordan Bowery have signed extended contracts.

Everyone at Chesterfield Football Club wishes the new pros the best of luck in their first, and hopefully many, seasons at the b2net stadium.

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