[spireitematt]

This is the way I see it.

Back in December/January, Cook probably had discussions with DA and CT to discuss the budget for next season and Cook was told that either the budget would be halved or to stay the same and Cook probably wasn't happy about this and probably thought that he had took Chesterfield as far as they could go and would probably look at other clubs and he probably told DA and CT this. Cook probably applied for a few jobs and DA and CT probably then had to think who they could replace him with because DA stated in his interview the other day that when Dean Saunders brought Crawley to the Proact he liked the style of football he played and he and CT had a chat with him after the game, Crawley came to the Proact back in January so they most have known all that time.

Portsmouth around about the start of April sacked Andy Awford and Cook probably saw that the job was vacant and applied for it because

A) Portsmouth get an average of 15,000-17,000 fans a season, so more fans = more turnover = bigger budget.

B) On 30th March Portsmouth announced an operating profit of £118,000 in its first full year trading as a fan owned club, they made a £6.6 million turnover with gate receipts of £3.4 million.

C) Cooks agent is Eamonn Collins and Collins used to play for Portsmouth making 5 apps from 1986-1989.

Now Cook must have applied for the job for Portsmouth to approach Chesterfield FC and to discuss talks. BBC Solent radio (radio for Portsmouth) leaked that Portsmouth had made an approach to Chesterfield FC to speak to Paul Cook which then spread like wildfire, which then made its way to the Chesterfield fans and caused a massive meltdown on Bobs Board so then the club would have to make a statement about this. CT went on BBC radio Sheffield and said that Paul Cook was going no where and that they were going to do everything they could to keep him when they knew well that he was going to leave due to the budget and they were probably hoping he would change his mind if he had got Chesterfield to the Championship. Obviously the timing of Portsmouth approaching Chesterfield FC was very bad and very disrespectful seeing as we were in the playoffs and our season was still going while Portsmouth's had ended like a damp squib. Also Cook must have known he was going to Portsmouth as he already knew who he wanted to keep at Portsmouth and who to get rid of as one of the Portsmouth board stated to BBC Solent radio the other day.