FORMER Town player Lee Richardson says he was close to taking Rob Page to Chesterfield before Andy Ritchie moved in.

It’s believed the lure of higher-level football and higher wages led to the defender giving Town the nod ahead of Richardson’s League II team.

Richardson started looking for a new defender when Kevin Gray, another Town old boy, picked up an injury before Christmas.

Gray, 36, is now back in the side, but Richardson, whose side are 10th. is still hoping to bolster his squad.

Another player who was linked with Saltergate is ex-Town defender Sam Collins, who has now left Hull for Hartlepool.

Chesterfield this week signed two Sunderland players on loan, defender Peter Hartley and striker David Dowson, ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Bradford.