Chesterfield FC: 2022 signing went on zero-to-hero journey before Paul Cook send-off | OneFootball

Joe Quigley was a scapegoat early into Paul Cook's reign at Chesterfield, but an inspirational rise in form saw him leave as a cult hero this summer.

Six months into his Chesterfield career, many supporters would have called former Yeovil striker Joe Quigley one of the worst signings in the club's history, but his incredible rise saw him leave Derbyshire as a National League champion and cult hero.

Quigley was called every name under the sun during the first part of his Spireites spell, where he scored just one goal in his first 22 National League appearances, but his zero to hero tale saw him go from Chesterfield’s biggest scapegoat to a man eventually compared to Pele.

With January quickly approaching, Paul Cook could take inspiration from the 2022 transfer to help inspire the Spireites, who look to maintain their play-off push.

Quigley’s traits won over Chesterfield fans

Quigley joined Chesterfield in January 2022 with the Spireites top of the National League under manager James Rowe, who would leave by mutual consent under a month later, after scoring six goals in the first half of the season for Yeovil Town.

Blessed with tremendous physicality, the Irishman suited Rowe’s high-energy system well, but following the former Gloucester City man’s dismissal, he never really got the chance to excel in a tactic suited to him.

Paul Cook returned for a second spell in charge of the Spireites shortly after and Quigley initially struggled with his possession-based system, not showing the high level of technical ability Cook demands in his tactics.

This unfortunately coincided with striker Kabongo Tshimanga’s leg break, which derailed the Spireites’ season, with Chesterfield unable to replace the former Boreham Wood man’s 24 goals.

Town’s goals dried up, with Quigley scoring just one league goal in his first six months in Derbyshire, as the Spireites’ title dream quickly disappeared and the former Bournemouth man became a scapegoat, with fans becoming restless at his lack of output.

Following Tshimanga’s absence, Cook kept faith in Quigley at the start of the 2022/23 season, starting the first 12 games, scoring two goals, as Chesterfield went unbeaten in their first 11 games.

The signings of Paul McCallum and Andrew Dallas saw him drop out of the side, and he became an impact sub, a role which would help shape his eventual cult hero status.

Quigley’s pace and power was proving to be a handful off the bench, with the current Forest Green man frequently coming on around the hour mark to act as a nuisance to opposition defenders.

The now 27-year-old enjoyed a purple patch around Christmas, scoring five goals in six matches, but he failed to find the back of the net in the second half of the season, finishing with seven goals.

Supporters started to warm to Quigley’s work ethic and physical qualities, despite not being a great goalscorer, and he would enter the 23/24 season as back-up to new striker Will Grigg.

Quigley’s season got off to the perfect start, coming off the bench to score the winner in a seven-goal thriller against Dorking Wanderers on the opening day, and he also scored winners against Aldershot and Halifax to earn Chesterfield six points in the first 10 games.

The former Ireland u21 international’s impressive form continued into Autumn, scoring in four successive appearances and by November 21st, Quigley had seven goals, already equaling his tally for the previous season.

Chesterfield stormed to the National League title by 12 points, scoring 106 goals in the process, and Quigley netted 11 of them, having made a total of 43 appearances, with just 14 starts.

Quigley’s super sub heroics throughout the title-winning season had won the fans over, with the ‘White Pele’ and the rest of the squad joining in wild celebrations across town on the day Chesterfield secured the title.

The National League winner would leave the Spireites this summer, joining National League outfit Forest Green Rovers on deadline day, to move closer to his family, which includes a newborn baby.

Quigley received a send-off for a king in Derbyshire, with fans and players taking to social media to thank the Irishman for his services.

His most notable send-off came from his former manager, who revealed Quigley was one of the best professionals Cook has ever coached.

As per Derbyshire Times, Cook said: "I have to give a special mention to Joe. He's one of the best lads I've ever worked with in football. We had lots of interest in him over the summer, and we just felt for him and his family the move to Forest Green was the right one, and we couldn't deny him the opportunity.

"I wish him all the luck in the world and I truly mean that. He is an unbelievable man and I honestly couldn't have asked for more from him. He gave everything for this club."

Eyebrows were raised at the time of Quigley’s sale and the Spireites are yet to sign his replacement, with some suggesting Chesterfield could do with his pace and tenacity off the bench.

Quigley offered a useful ‘Plan B’ option

Despite the Spireites being the joint-top scorers in League Two with 30 goals, at times Chesterfield have struggled to break teams down, as they have been frustrated in home draws against Swindon, Colchester, Cheltenham and Salford.

Will Grigg currently has seven goals in the league this season but relies heavily on the service of his wingers and midfielders to find the back of the net.

When some of Town’s forwards have an ‘off day’, Grigg rarely scores.

In contrast, Quigley fed on scraps throughout his Chesterfield career and could fashion out chances for himself, and at times this season the Spireites have been crying out for a ‘Plan B’ option off the bench.

The Forest Green man’s aerial dominance might have come in handy against teams defending in a low block, who let the Spireites have the ball, but force them out wide, where they crowd the penalty area and stop the ball getting to Grigg in the middle.

Quigley started life at Forest Green slowly, failing to score in his first 12 appearances, but if his Chesterfield career is anything to go by, there’s no reason he can’t go down as a cult hero in Gloucestershire too.