Chesterfield sign ex-Northampton, Derby, Wolves, Wigan, Portsmouth player

Chesterfield sign ex-Northampton, Derby, Wolves, Wigan, Portsmouth player Michael Jacobs ahead of their season opener against Dorking.

The 31-year-old drops down after playing in League One throughout last season, making a total of 39 appearances in 2022-23.

Jacobs has previously worked under Spireites boss Paul Cook at Wigan, one of the factors in his decision to move. The National League side have not disclosed the length of deal Jacobs has signed.

😘 pic.twitter.com/osLXvBWgLs

— Chesterfield FC (@ChesterfieldFC) August 4, 2023

😍 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

We’re delighted to announce the signing of Michael Jacobs.

The attacking midfielder joins the club after departing Portsmouth in the summer.

Read all about the signing here 👇#Spireites

— Chesterfield FC (@ChesterfieldFC) August 4, 2023

CLUB STATEMENT:

The Spireites have signed Michael Jacobs on the eve of the new season, subject to FA and National League approval.

The 31-year-old attacking midfielder has an impressive record across a number of clubs in the EFL and has worked with manager Paul Cook previously.

His previous clubs include Wigan Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Portsmouth.

Upon signing for the Spireites, he expressed his delight at linking up again with the manager.

“I’m buzzing to be here and even more buzzing to be back working with the gaffer,” he said.

“He’s a fantastic manager and I’m looking forward to working with him again.

“It’s a massive club for the division and I’m here to help get the club promoted back to where it belongs.

“I’m excited for the future and I’m already looking forward to the game tomorrow.”

HIS INTERVIEW:

Interviewer: So Michael, welcome to the club how does it feel to sign for Chesterfield?

MJ: Yeah it’s amazing it’s been in the pipeline for quite a while I’ve been speaking to the manager and yeah it took a little bit longer to get done than anticipated but now obviously with the season on the doorstep it’s nice to get it sorted and and get signed and yeah I’m looking forward to to coming to the club and trying to help the team going forward

Interviewer: Obviously had a really successful career in the EFL so dropping down to the National League what do you know about the National League?

MJ: Obviously it’ very competitive, coming to the spotlight a lot more over the last couple of years down to the likes of Wrexham and teams like that but yeah I always keep an eye on obviously work with with managers before and always kept an eye on Paul and obviously Gary and that as well so it was last year I did see what happened and obviously losing out in the playoff finals obviously disappointing but they obviously want to bounce back and and try and get out the division and it’s nice to get the phone call it’s nice to come

Interviewer: Just talk to me about your relationship with the gather then how big of a pull was he?

MJ: I think obviously it’s always it’s always massive factor he always got the best football out of me in terms of the way I’ve played and I’ve had been one of my most successful seasons under him so it’s nice to obviously get that phone call and obviously play with Gary and a few of the boys here I’ve played we’ve already obviously Griggy and played with Naylor at Portsmouth and Ryan as well so yeah it’s nice to come into a team that I know a few of the players and hopefully I can settle quite quickly and obviously like I said with the season starting tomorrow it’s it’s nice to get in and the excitement of the opening day

Interviewer: Yeah obviously straight into the action tomorrow then obviously a big game against Dorking so sort of what do you know about about the National in terms of fixtures and then is there any teams sort of particularly looking forward to playing or sort of you know any engagement already got your eye on?

MJ: No not really it’s just obviously it’s a first for me so um all new experiences are good experiences and I’m just looking forward to getting going really it’s been a bit of a strange summer because they obviously spent a lot of time at home and and seeing people signing and stuff like that but obviously when I’ve seen people like Griggy and Naylor come here you can sort of see the ambition of the club going forward and yeah hopefully it’ll be a successful season

Interviewer: And in terms of a player how would you describe yourself as a player?

MJ: Obviously I’m an attacking player um can sort of play all across the sort of front line and probably more of a the left side are coming in on my right foot but I’ve played as an eight as a 10 and there’s an 11 and a seven over the last couple of years down at Portsmouth so a variety of positions in a variety of formations so I know I feel like the older I’ve got the the more experience I’ve gotten and obviously playing different positions and obviously playing in in one of the Gaffers teams I’ve always sort of naturally been someone to come inside and play in in pockets and stuff like that so hopefully I can I can fit into the system and yeah I’m just looking forward obviously it’s I’ve not had much much time in time over the pre-season so it might take me a bitof time to get get up to speed but now I’m looking forward to when you’re thrusted into it at this sort of stage this isn’t it you sort of get going quick sooner than you soon than you should really so yeah I’m looking forward to it

Interviewer: And just talk to you about the facilities here then so what’d you make of the stadium?

MJ: Yeah it’s fantastic I was saying to just before I came on camera, I’ve played here a couple of times I had some good experiences here and yeah the atmosphere is always really good and yeah I’m just looking forward to getting out there now

Interviewer: Then just finally what would your message be to the supporters at home and sort of ahead of the season start

MJ: Just obviously this is like it’s going to be it’s going to be a good season and and hopefully with the squad put together it can be a successful one and obviously that’s what the fans look forward to and hopefully tomorrow will be a great atmosphere and it’s great to start with three points

Here’s what fans are saying and Chesterfield sign the ex-Northampton, Derby, Wolves, Wigan, Portsmouth player…

@NickAspin4: Great signing for you lot, gonna be a good season 🙌

@pompeanut1898: What a player and what a bloke. Take care of him spireites 👍🏻

@WallySpire: This is what he does!

@ChrisMoat96: Hope Jacobs has an injury free season, quality player on his day! All the best for the season ahead, from a Pompey fan!

@cfc_fred_: Brilliant signing, welcome to the club Michael 🔵⚪️

@TomPike21: We have a better squad now than the last time we was in league one – another unbelievable signing!

@pompeyshaun1986: Enjoy him lads, when he’s fit he’s quality even if he can’t last 90mins. Just wrap him up between games.

@Cainl0we: Winning the league these lot.

@PompeyXsAndOs: Go well Crackers. A v.genuine & honest player, w/good craft & guile in the final third. He’s able to make good things happen with a mix of nous & perseverance. Here’s to playing as many games as possible for the Spireites, with that infectious & cheeky smile across your face.

@DFox94: Cooky’s got the old band back together and I absolutely love it! Go well Spireites!

@leemfcasey: Bit gutted when he left us to be fair – Cookie knows how to put a squad together – Smash it lads ✊🏻

@lukeatiyah: Glass cannon of a player. Sublime for national league, if you can keep him fit.

@PFC_Forever: If Grigg, Naylor & Jacobs can play 30+ games you are in for a very, very good season.

@Stickolas: With the amount of ex tics players and coaches I’ll have to pop down for a few games this year… there’s a decent chance we’ll be in same league next year either way

@JonSuperIpswich: Cook finally signs him, was on the cusp of joining #itfc under Cook

@Rich03832303: Great signing for you if he stays fit. More than capable of still playing league 1 football

@CabezaJake: Chesterfield hitting it out the park again, another top top signing!

@Lin_Pompey: All the very best Michael. Stay fit. 🤞

@AlanRay1169790: Brilliant player if stay fit

@BlazeMeister78: Only missing Nick Powell to complete the “Holy Trinity”

@pfcmccloud: mental signing lads, gonna rip up the national league

@davidthomson180: Good luck, Crackers. Loved watching you in blue. Time to show your class to the Spirites fans. 💙

@BlueArmyAlex: Good luck Crackers, hope you, Naylor and Cook smash it!

@jackcummins_9: Paul Cook and his band r gonna piss the league.