the club in League One after reaching the playoffs. After the 2015–16 season, Hird was named Chesterfield's Player of the Year, as well as winning the additional Player of the Year awards from several club sponsors and local newspapers. Hird missed a large part of the 2017–18 season through injury, in which Chesterfield were relegated. He was released by Chesterfield at the end of the 2017–18 season after making over 230 appearances during a 6-year period. On 22 October 2018, Hird joined National League North side Alfreton Town on a month to month contract in order to gain match fitness after a long spell out injured. Barrow On 8 January 2019, Hird joined National League side Barrow on a free transfer from Alfreton Town. The following season, Hird gained promotion back to the Football League as Barrow were crowned champions under the guide of the player's former teammate Ian Evatt. In their first season back in the EFL, Hird was a regular for the Cumbrian side under David Dunn, then captaining the side under caretaker manager Rob Kelly over the Christmas period, when a good run of results put the club in a healthy position before appointing Michael Jolley as new manager. Jolley oversaw a huge turnaround of players in the January window, whilst also dropping a number of players from the squad, including Hird himself. After losing eight of his first nine games in charge, Jolley was sacked by the Cumbrian club and Rob Kelly once again took over as caretaker manager, with the difficult task of keeping the Cumbrians in the EFL. Hird became Kelly's assistant for the remainder of the season, and Barrow succeeded in maintaining their spot in League Two, being five points above the relegation zone. Hird eventually decided to retire from his playing career, aged 33. Coaching career In January 2018, Hird began studying for his UEFA B coaching licence, along with ex teammate Tommy Lee, and gained it in January 2019. As of 2022 Hird is a UEFA A licence coach. Barrow Hird took over as assistant manager to Rob Kelly at Barrow towards the end of February 2021, with the club being at the bottom of the League Two table, and eventually helped the club keep their spot. Bolton Wanderers On 2 July 2021, Hird joined League One side Bolton Wanderers as first team coach, linking up once again with former teammate