Chesterfield FC is bidding to be a pilot club for the Independent Football Regulator, with the aim of ensuring their financial controls are aligned with the new requirements. The club, currently sixth in League Two, has offered to be a pilot club, according to chairman Ashley Kirk. This move comes as the club released their accounts to shareholders for their first season back in the football league after a six-year absence. Chesterfield FC will soon be answerable to the tests and financial aims of the Independent Football Regulator, which was fully set up in November last year. The club plans to get promoted to League One by the end of 2028 and have their position in England's third tier consolidated at the same time. And the club wants to reduce its reliance on owner funding, upgrade facilities on and off the pitch, and achieve strong governance and commercial growth. Chairman Ashley Kirk said the Regulator will enforce enhanced Owners' and Directors' tests, monitor debt-funded takeovers more closely, and increase transparency about clubs' financial risk profiles. The board welcomes this approach, hoping it will lead to greater prudence amongst the clubs that Chesterfield competes with in the league. The club's next game will be against Crawley Town on Saturday. So the focus is on ensuring the club's financial stability, with the Regulator's requirements in mind. The club's accounts show a clear commitment to financial growth, with a focus on reducing debt and increasing revenue. But the club knows that this will be a challenging process, requiring careful planning and management. The Regulator's requirements will be a key factor in this process, as the club works to ensure its financial controls are in line with the new requirements.