Since parting company with the Spireites in February, Allison has spent time learning the ropes with Everton, Wolves, and Crewe, as well as gaining his UEFA A coaching badge.

He has also gained his Certificate in Applied Management and has started a year's course to gain his pro-licence.

Blues boss Simon Davies invited Allison to help out at the Deva Stadium when his side was struggling, and within a couple of weeks, he had been made Davies' number two on a permanent basis and he was awarded a two-year contract.

The former Sheffield United striker has overseen a significant improvement at City. Their 2-0 home loss against Lincoln City last weekend ended a run of five undefeated games that in turn followed four defeats at the start of the season.

Allison, 39, has scored more than 170 goals in his 20-year career in the Football League, including 23 goals from 115 appearances during his four years at Chesterfield from 2004.

Allison admitted that he had jumped at the chance to join Chester.
He said: "Simon (Davies) gave me a call and asked me to come in and help him and I jumped at the chance.

"Our paths have always crossed – that's what happens in football – on coaching courses and seminars. We've always spent time together and shared views about football.

"We have the same views and that's why he called me in."

Allison is now looking forward to his return to Saltergate: "I spent four years at Chesterfield and I have a lot of fond memories. I've obviously got some sort of insight about them, although you can never tell what sort of side Lee (Richardson) is going to play.

"I have been surprised to see Chesterfield not doing as well as people would have expected because they have a lot of quality players in their squad and plenty of strength in depth.

"But I suppose when they kick into gear they'll be a force for any team.

"They have players like Jack Lester and Jamie Ward, and also Darren Currie who can unlock doors with his quality, so we've got a lot to be mindful of.

"But it's down to us, especially if we can play as well as we did in the second half the other night against Morecambe.

"We've moved forward and I think we're showing great signs of improvement.

"It was important for the players and everyone at the club that we acquitted ourselves better than we did against Lincoln.

"We can't afford to drop our standards at any time in this league.

"We have to be positive and believe that we can actually achieve."