Iain McInnes: how bumping into Glen Little at Chesterfield was crucial to Paul Cook's Portsmouth appointment

Today marks the third anniversary of the Blues securing promotion from League Two, courtesy of a 3-1 victory at Notts County.

Cook’s side would ultimately claim the title on a memorable final day of that 2016-17 campaign, only for the manager to quit later that month.

As chairman, McInnes and his board had unanimously agreed to choose Chesterfield boss Cook as Andy Awford’s replacement in May 2015.

Yet Gosport’s chairman admits the seeds were actually planted at Pompey’s goalless draw at the Spireites in March 2014, after bumping into former Blues midfielder Little outside the Proact Stadium.

McInnes said: ‘We were having a terrible time under Richie Barker and, on the way to our game at Chesterfield, I bumped into Glen Little outside the ground.

‘When I mentioned catching up after the game he replied: “I’ll tell you where I’ll be, in the manager’s office having a drink”. Apparently he was good friends with Paul Cook, they had played together at Burnley.

‘Well, it was at that time when I discovered Cookie was definitely the manager for me – because he used to hold court in his room after a game!

‘The final score at Chesterfield was goalless, we had played very well and it was a good point.

‘When my wife, Jane, mentioned going home, firstly I wanted to meet up with Glen. Besides, Paul Cook as a player was excellent and somebody I quite liked.

‘I’m a bit bouncy and flouncy and knocked on the manager’s door and opened it up and there were about eight or nine of them sitting in there.

‘I was introduced by Glen as Pompey’s chairman and went in – leaving three hours later.

‘I remembered Cookie after that, especially when we were looking for a manager a few years down the line.’

Little made just eight appearances during his sole season at Fratton Park in 2008-09.

The impact of Harry Redknapp’s summer recruit was hampered by injury, although he did start the memorable 2-2 draw with AC Milan in November 2008.

McInnes added: ‘Me and Cookie still keep in touch, but not as often as we should. He’s not very good at that, and I’m not great myself.

‘I still consider him a mate. We had some wonderful times here at Pompey together.’

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