Former Ipswich Town boss cut an emotional figure…

Former Ipswich Town manager Paul Cook was emotional after bringing Chesterfield back into the Football League yesterday.

Cook, who was fired by Town in December 2021 just months after tearing up the playing team in his infamous ‘Demolition Man’ summer, led the Spireites to the National League title after six years in non-league.

They defeated Boreham Wood 3-0 to secure their promotion after dominating the league all season. They’re already 21 points ahead of nearest rivals Barnet.

Armando Dobra, a former Town player, has been a vital figure for Cook’s side, and he excelled again yesterday, providing two assists in the win.

The dynamic 22-year-old, who came through the Town academy, has ten goals in 41 appearances for the Spireites this season.

Chesterfield has additional Town connections through first-team coach Kieron Dyer, a Town icon, and defender Bailey Clements, to whom Cook gave a senior start at the Blues.

Following the game, an emotional Cook, who also led Chesterfield to the League Two title in 2014, stated that the victory came on his late father’s birthday. Christopher died in September 2021.

“I lost my dad two-and-a-half years ago and it’s his birthday today…” Cook, who returned to Chesterfield in February 2022, told TNT Sports.

“I am delighted, I really am,” he continued. “I am delighted for the supporters.

“When I came back two-and-a-bit years ago, I didn’t realise how tough a league it was.

“It has been amazing. I can’t thank the players, the staff, enough. It has been great. It has been such a team effort.

“My staff have been outstanding all year but the players take all the plaudits tonight.”

He said with a grin, “I will be vanishing now for a couple of bottles of Peroni!”

Dyer, who had a liver transplant last year, has previously thanked Cook and Chesterfield for their support throughout his sickness.