Ryan Stirk: Former Walsall midfielder on why he joined Chesterfield
Ryan Stirk has paid tribute to his former Walsall team-mates and coaching staff after deciding to move away from Bescot at the end of his contract.
The 24-year-old snubbed a new deal from the Saddlers in favour of a contract at League Two rivals Chesterfield - a side Walsall beat three times last year, including two play-off semi-final victories.
Stirk made 54 appearances over the course of the season for Mat Sadler’s team but has now decided a move away from the Black Country is in his best interests.
And in his first interview as a Chesterfield player, he praised his former colleagues.
“We had a good team last year,” Stirk said about Walsall. “Good management staff. Ultimately, we fell short.
“Throughout the season you know what it is going to take. I am experienced in this league now. I have three or four seasons where I know what it is going to take to get out of the league.”
The holding midfielder was just shy of 100 appearances at Bescot and he says the Spireites' playing style had a big factor in his decision to sign.
“I am delighted,” he continued. “It is something I have known about for a while. It is nice to get it done.
“I had four games last year against Chesterfield and when you come here you see the ground was bouncing especially in the play-off semi-final.
“Watching the team when we played them, they kept the ball well, and that is something that attracted me straight away.
“It is something that I want to be involved in. A team where they keep the ball well and they move it quickly."
