John Sheridan and Chesterfield development squad could have come along just in the nick of time for Charlie Wakefield

The midfielder hasn’t played a lot of football since making his first team debut at the tender age of 16.

That high he experienced coming off the bench against Scunthorpe in April 2017 was only bettered when Gary Caldwell started the youngster in the opening game of the 2017/18 season.

He admits life at the Proact hasn’t exactly been a barrel of laughs in the two years that have followed.

“It’s been up and down, to sum it up in a few words,” he said.

“Since I made my debut against Scunthorpe when I was 16, I was high then, and started the first game of the season against Grimsby.

“That season I was doing well, playing well in the youth team.

“I got my first main injury in February and that kept me out for the rest of the season.

“Last season was difficult for me, I didn’t play many games.

“I went on loan to Sheffield, played a few games but got brought back and didn’t play many games before the end of the season.

“There’s been two relegations.

“I’ve experienced it all in the space of two years really.”

Wakefield was tipped for big things by Caldwell, who remained an admirer long after his own Proact departure.

The Spireites academy product recalls the buzz he got running out in front of almost 8,000.

He insists there was no complacency, however. He didn’t take first team involvement for granted.

“I was excited, I was definitely nervous starting the first game.

“I didn’t think ‘this is it’ I just wanted to try and impact the game as much as I could, like I did in the youth team.