Richard Wood and Liam Graham join the Spireites

Yesterday Dean Saunders brought in top defender Richard Wood on a three month loan from Rotherham United, and also New Zealand U20 international Liam Graham on a permanent deal.



Richard Wood fact file:

Age: 30
Nationality: English
Height: 6ft 3
Position: CB
Teams played for: Sheff Wed, Coventry, Charlton, Rotherham, Crawley and Fleetwood.

Wood is a solid and experienced defender who could plug the hole in our defence which has seen us concede 28 goals in 17 games in all competitions so far this season.

Wood played for Saunders last season when he was on loan at Crawley, and he has recently finished a loan spell at Fleetwood, playing in their 1-0 win over Barnsley at the weekend. He will play as number 34 for the Spireites, and is available to play in the FA Cup. He will make a great partner for Evatt, and also force the up and coming Charlie Raglan to fight even harder for a first team spot. Even though he's only here on an emergency three month loan, he will no doubt give us some more in depth strength and help us boost our goal difference and move up that table. Top signing Saunders!



Liam Graham fact file:

Age: 23
Nationality: New Zealand/Australia (Born in Melbourne)
Height: 5ft 11
Position: RB
Teams played for: Ascoli, Monza and Pro Patria

Liam Graham has represented New Zealand at U20 level, and has joined us after a spell on trial at the club. He also had a while at Coventry, also on trial.

After impressing for the reserve side, Saunders signed Graham on as a player for the future more than for an immediate impact. Saunders said he's 'not a player who will immediately be in contention for a place in the first team, but we feel that we can work on developing him as a player in the reserves'. After returning from his long term injury, Graham provides a strong back up for Saunders. While he hasn't been signed to play for the starting eleven straight away, he could feature this weekend against Fleetwood. Left back Dan Jones is suspended this weekend, so Saunders could choose to play Talbot in LB, and put Graham in RB.

In other news, we have drawn non-league side FC United of Manchester in the first round of the FA Cup. A real footballing club, FC United turned down the chance to be on the telly in the first round game, saying football is for the fans and not for TV. Should be a top day out at a real non-league ground, bringing back many memories of the beautiful Saltergate...