A football club has lifted its ban on a weekly newspaper days before the start of the new season.

Chesterfield FC’s ban on the Derbyshire Times lasted a little over two months, having been put in place at the end of May after the paper carried a series of stories about the finances of a soccer school co-owned by the side’s chief executive Chris Turner.

During the ban, the Times says it maintained its level of coverage by sending a reporter to sit in the stands at recent home pre-season friendly games.

An announcement that the ban had now been lifted was carried on the website of the Times on Wednesday afternoon, three days before the club kicked off their 2016/17 season in League One, English football’s third tier, against Oxford United on Saturday.

The Proact Stadium, home of Chesterfield FC

Mr Turner said: “We enjoy a harmonious working relationship with various local media organisations and we are keen to have a similar association with our local newspaper.

“We both need to draw a line under what has happened in the past and move on with a positive outlook for the forthcoming season and beyond.”

Mark Edwards, editorial director at the Times, said: We’re delighted that this matter has now been resolved.

“We remain committed to reporting on all aspects of the club in detail and look forward to a successful season and a proactive working relationship.”