It doesn't seem long since we were in the play-off semis last time around, but the new season is here already.

While the summer seems to have flown by, it's definitely been an eventful one and one we hope will set us up for a successful season.

We were as down as anyone after the Blackpool defeat, and the overwhelming feeling was that we had to take things to the next level.

By that I mean on the playing side, and I think we've done that over the summer break.

Myself, Simon, John and Alan have been busy over the summer, and the amount of ground that has been covered in the search for new players is amazing.

Obviously the signing of Lee Hughes hit the headlines, but we've done very, very well elsewhere.

Take Michael Ricketts, for example.  Everyone knows what he can do and we'll be looking to him to be a big threat this season.

I'm pleased we managed to get Michael here, and if he fires like we know he can he will definitely make people sit up and take notice.

We were linked with Mark Allott for a number of months, and what you see is what you get with him.

John rates him very highly and he was probably Chesterfield's best player over the last few seasons.  He loves the club and being in and around the place and that's exactly how we want our players to feel.

Mark Crossley and John Thompson bring plenty of experience to the table -- Tranmere were keen on taking John after he did well on loan last season.

Meanwhile Mark has been there and done it, and we'll be looking to him to bring some of the kids on this season in his new role as player/coach.

We've also brought in JP Kalala who will be a big asset at this level and who made the play-off final with Yeovil last season, and Craig Davies seems to have become a fans' favourite already.

The fact we paid a fee for Craig shows how highly the manager rates him, and I'm sure he will develop even further as a player while he's here.

I didn't manage to make it to all of the pre-season games, but I did manage to take in the games at Rochdale and Clyde with Simon Blitz.

You could tell the squad get along well as a unit when we were on the Clyde trip, and that team spirit is vitally important if we're to make a success of things this season.

I know we've seen quite a few players leave, but the talent we've brought in this summer represents a significant investment for the club.

Of course we've also still got our eyes open for any other potential talent to add the squad, and we may yet see a couple of new faces though nothing is ever certain in football.

We've brought in these players to allow you, the fans, to have the opportunity to (hopefully!) watch a side that will do you proud this season and build on our experiences from last time around.  Of course we already know we have the manager in place to make that a reality.

I know that, as a group of supporters, we can count on you to provide your valuable backing again this season.  Hopefully we'll have some success on the pitch, and some off it with the stadium development, which we will hopefully hear about soon.

In the meantime I would like to wish you all all the best ahead of the new season.

Cheers,

Simon