Dunkley Heads Out On Loan

The Moors play one tier below the Spireites in the National League and currently sit inside the relegation zone in 23rd position.

Dunkley has only appeared twice so far this season for Chesterfield with both appearances coming in the group stage of the EFL Trophy. The defender has found himself behind Kyle McFadzean, Jack Simpson and Alfie Pond in the centre-back pecking order, and it's likely that Dunkley only featured in the two recent cup matches due to the long-term injury sustained by Malik Owolabi-Belewu.

Dunkley joined Chesterfield in June 2024 and has made 45 competitive appearances for the club with three goals to his name.

The move makes sense with Dunkley desperate for some regular first-team football after clearly not being part of Paul Cook's plans at the start of the 2026/27 campaign. Solihull Moors evidently need to shore up their defence after conceding 28 goals from their opening 11 league games, and a drop down to the National League allows Dunkley to get a lot more game time under his belt.

Dunkley's future at Chesterfield seemingly depends on what happens on the injury front and in the winter transfer window. With Owolabi-Belewu on the sidelines for a long time, an injury to McFadzean, Simpson or Pond could still mean Dunkley has a role to play for the Spireites later this season. Paul Cook could make a defensive addition in the mid-season transfer window though, which runs from New Year's Day until 11pm on Monday 1st February.

Dunkley made his Solihull Moors debut last night as he played the full 90 minutes in their 4-2 victory away at Woking in the National League.