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Chesterfield F.C.

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Chesterfield
Full nameChesterfield Football Club
Nickname(s)Town, The Spireites
Founded1866;158 years ago(1866)(original)
24 April 1919;105 years ago(1919-04-24)(current)[1][2]
GroundSMH Group Stadium
Capacity10,600
OwnerChesterfield Football Club Community Trust[3]
ChairmanMike Goodwin
ManagerPaul Cook
LeagueEFL League Two
2023–24National League,1st of 24 (promoted)
WebsiteClub website
Current season

Chesterfield Football Clubis a professionalassociation footballclub based in the town ofChesterfield,Derbyshire,England. The team competes inEFL League Two,the fourth level of theEnglish football league system,after winning the2023–24 National Leaguetitle.

Chesterfield play their home games at the 10,500 capacitySMH Group Stadium,having moved from their historic home ofSaltergateduring the summer of 2010. Notable former players include record appearance holderDave Blakey,who played in 617 of Chesterfield's league games, and 162 league goal club record holderErnie Moss.The club contests numerous local rivalries, most notably with Nottinghamshire clubMansfield Town.

Chesterfield FC was officially established in 1866, though it would be the third incarnation of that name that turned professional in 1891 and changed its name to Chesterfield Town. Town entered theFA Cupfor the first time the following year, and competed in theSheffield & District LeagueandSheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup,before joining theMidland Leaguein 1896–97. A third-place finish in 1898–99 resulted in a successful application to theFootball League Second Divisionfor the following season. After ten seasons in the Second Division they failed to gain re-election to the League and returned to the Midland League in 1909. They were champions of that league in 1909–10. The club entered liquidation in 1915, and were reformed as Chesterfield Municipal in April 1919. They again rejoined the Midland League and finished as champions in 1919–20.

The club was renamed Chesterfield in December 1920, and became founder members of theThird Division Northin 1921–22. They marked their tenth season in the division, 1930–31, by winning the title, though they only managed two seasons in the Second Division before suffering relegation. They again won the Third Division North title in 1935–36, and afterWorld War IIrecorded their best ever league finish of fourth in the Second Division in 1946–47. However they were relegated again in 1950–51, and were relegated out of theThird Divisionin 1960–61. Chesterfield won theFourth Divisionin 1969–70, and then won theAnglo-Scottish Cupin 1980. After relegation in 1982–83, they again won the Fourth Division title in 1984–85, though would again be relegated after five seasons in the third tier. They secured their return to the third tier with a 2–0 win overBuryin the1995 play-off finalatWembley.

Chesterfield reached theFA Cupsemi-finals in 1997, but were relegated back to the basement division in 1999–2000. They made an immediate return to the third tier after securing a Third Division automatic promotion place in 2000–01. Relegated in 2006–07, they secured theLeague Twotitle in 2010–11, but were relegated fromLeague Onethe following season. In 2011,Dave Allentook full ownership of the club and oversaw progress to twoLeague Trophyfinals; Chesterfield won the trophy with a 2–0 victory overSwindon Townin 2012, and finished as runners-up after losing 3–1 toPeterborough Unitedin 2014. Chesterfield were crowned champions of League Two for a record fourth time in 2013–14, but remained inLeague Onefor just three seasons. Back-to-back relegations saw the club relegated out of theEnglish Football Leagueat the end of the 2017–18 season, before returning to League Two after winning theNational Leaguetitle in the 2023–24 season.

History[edit]

Further information:List of Chesterfield F.C. seasons
A former Chesterfield FC crest giving an 1866 foundation date of Chesterfield FC. The design was first used in 1997 and replaced in 2009
Chart of historic table positions of Chesterfield in the Football League

Potentially five or more teams have been called Chesterfield Football Club at different times. ADerbyshire Timesnewspaper report from 2 January 1864 noted a scheduled game between "Chesterfield and Norton football clubs", suggesting that a Chesterfield FC, whether loosely or formally organised, was active from at least 1863.[4]

A second Chesterfield FC was formally created as an offshoot of Chesterfield Cricket Club in October 1867.[1] The cricket and football clubs moved to the Recreation Ground atSaltergatein 1871, the same year that they became separate entities. However, a souring of the relationship between the two led to the closure of the football club in 1881, when it found itself homeless.[5]Many players joined other local sides, notably Chesterfield Livingstone, a club that took up using the Saltergate site, and Chesterfield Spital, a team which competed in the early years of theFA Cup.[6]

Three years later, in 1884, a third entity called Chesterfield Football Club was formed, again making its home atSaltergate.[1]It drew in players from the preceding club and both Chesterfield Livingstone and Chesterfield Spital, though records show Spital continued as a separate club.[6]After changing its name toChesterfield Town,the club turned professional in 1891 and won several local trophies in the following two seasons, entering theFA Cupfor the first time in 1892. For the 1892–93 season, the club wore an extraordinary playing strip of all dark blue with theUnion Jackemblazoned across the front of the shirt.[7]Chesterfield joined theMidland Leaguein 1896, and successfully applied for a place in theSecond Divisionof theFootball Leagueat the start of the 1899–1900 season, finishing seventh. After finishing bottom of the League three years in a row, the club failed to gain re-election to the League in 1909, returning to the Midland League.[8]

In 1915 Chesterfield Town was put into voluntary liquidation and a new club with the same name was formed by a local restaurateur to play wartime football using locally based "guests" from Football League clubs. It lasted only two years before its management and players were suspended by the FA for illegal payments and the club shut down.[1][9]

The current Chesterfield FC was formed on 24 April 1919 byChesterfield Borough Council,seeing it as a way to spearhead improvements in local recreational provision. Initially called "Chesterfield Municipal", the club made great strides on the pitch in its first season, lifting the Midland League title – and did so despite three changes of management. However,The Football Associationand theFootball Leaguehad already made clear their vehement opposition to a council-run club and ultimately forced it to cut its ties and become independent, reflected in a name change to Chesterfield FC in December 1920.[1][9][10][11]

In 1921–22, Chesterfield became a founder member of the newFootball League Third Division North.Following the arrival of new managerTed Davisonin 1926 and chairman Harold Shentall in 1928, the club won the Third Division North title in the 1930–31 season with an 8–1 victory overGatesheadon the final day, and were promoted to the Second Division. Relegation followed in 1933, but the Third Division North title was again won in 1936.[8]

After the war the club achieved their best League position, finishing fourth in the Second Division in 1946–47. However, the sale of several players at the end of the season reduced their overall quality, and Chesterfield were relegated at the end of the 1950–51 season. They were placed in theThird Divisionon its formation at the start of the 1958–59 season; future England international goalkeeperGordon Banksmade his professional debut in a Third Division game in November 1958, but was sold toLeicester Cityfor a then-club record £7,000 fee at the end of the season. In 1961 Chesterfield were relegated to theFourth Divisionfor the first time.[8]

Chesterfield spent eight seasons in the Fourth Division, earning promotion as champions in 1969–70 under managerJimmy McGuigan.TheAnglo-Scottish Cupwas won in 1981. The club was relegated in 1983–84, and won the Fourth Division title the following season. Financial difficulties forced Chesterfield Borough Council to bail out the club in 1985 and the club's training ground to be sold. Relegation followed in 1988–89; Chesterfield reached the play-off competition a year later, but were beaten byCambridge Unitedin the play-off final. The arrival ofJohn Duncanas manager in 1993 was followed in the 1994–95 season by play-off victories over local rivalsMansfield TownandBuryto earn promotion to the redesignated Second Division.[8]The 1996–97 season saw Chesterfield beat six clubs includingPremier LeaguesideNottingham Forestto reach the semi-final of the FA Cup for the first time. The semi-final match againstMiddlesbroughwas contentiously drawn 3–3 after extra time; Chesterfield lost the replay 3–0.[12]

The club were relegated to the Third Division in 2000 following a run of 21 games without a win, and chairman Norton Lea was replaced by Darren Brown. The following year, Chesterfield were deducted nine points for financial irregularities after Brown attempted to avoid payingChester Citythe fee agreed by the FA forLuke Beckett.Amid mounting evidence of fraud, he relinquished control of the club in March 2001 and ownership passed to a hastily organised fans' group, the Chesterfield Football Supporters Society. Massive debts run up by Brown forced the club into administration, but the team still secured the division's final automatic promotion place. Brown was later sentenced to four years in prison following aSerious Fraud Officeinvestigation that led to charges including false accounting, furnishing false information and theft.[13]

Chesterfield were relegated toLeague Twoat the end of the 2006–07 season, although they did reach the regional semi-final of theLeague Trophyand the fourth round of theLeague Cupin the same year.[14]The club departed its historic home atSaltergateat the end of the 2009–10 season, and moved to newly builtB2net Stadium.Chesterfield were promoted toLeague Oneafter winning the League Two title in 2010–11 season.[15]Later that year,Dave Allentook a majority shareholding of the football club from the Supporters Society. They went on to win the Football League Trophy for the first time in March 2012, defeatingSwindon Town2–0 in thefinal.[16]However, they were relegated from League One the following month,[17]with Allen taking over as chairman from Barrie Hubbard in the off-season. The club again returned to the third tier as League Two champions at the end of the 2013–14 season for a record fourth time under the guidance of managerPaul Cook.[18]

Chesterfield secured sixth-place in League One at the end of the 2014–15 campaign, and went on to lose 4–0 on aggregate toPreston North Endin the two-legged play-off semi-final.[19]Cook departed at the end of the season. On 14 November 2016, Dave Allen resigned from his roles as chairman and director of the club.[20]This signaled a crisis, and four days later a further four directors resigned from their roles.[21]It was announced that Chesterfield was openly up for sale, and desperately needed some kind of investment in order to avoid administration. Mike Warner was installed as chairman on 19 November.[22]

Chesterfield were relegated from League One in 2016–17, finishing bottom of the league.[14]At the end of the 2017–18 season, Chesterfield suffered a second consecutive relegation, with the club playing outside theFootball Leaguefor the first time since 1921.[14][23]On 6 August 2020, it was announced that Chesterfield FC Community Trust, a charity associated with the club, had bought the club from previous owner Dave Allen. The following day, the Trust announced thatJohn Pembertonhad been appointed full-time manager, following a spell as caretaker manager from January 2020, during which time he was able to prevent the club's relegation toNational League North.[24]

In January 2022, club facedChelseain the third round of theFA Cup,losing 5–1 to thePremier Leagueside.[25]After relegation from the Football League, Chesterfield had three unsuccessful play-off attempts, including losing the2023 National League play-off finalon penalties toNotts County.[14][26]The club then won theNational Leaguetitle in the following season to return to the Football League after six seasons in non-League.[27]

Kit manufacturers and sponsors[edit]

Table of kit suppliers and sponsors:[28]

Period Sportswear Sponsor
1976–1979 Bukta No shirt sponsor
1979–1982 Adidas
1982–1983 Latif
1983–1988 Coalite
1988–1990 Bukta
1990–1992 Matchwinner
1992–1994 North Derbyshire Health Authority/Gordon Lamb
1994–1996 North Derbyshire Health Authority/GK
Period Sportswear Sponsor
1996–1998 Super League North Derbyshire Health Authority
1998–2000 Kenning Autos
2000–2001 Aspire Gordon Lamb
2001–2002 TFG
2002–2003 Turf Sports Gordon Lamb/Vodka Kick
2003–2004 Uhlsport
2004–2005 Branded Autoworld/Vodka Kick
2005–2007 TFG
Period Sportswear Sponsor
2007–2008 Lotto Vodka Kick
2008–2010 Bukta
2010–2012 Respect
2012–2013 Puma Kick Energy
2013–2016 NAPIT
2016–2019 G F Tomlinson[29]
2019–2022 Technique Learning[30]
2022– Leengate Valves

Stadium[edit]

Main articles:SaltergateandSMH Group Stadium
Proact Stadium in February 2011

Chesterfield's historic ground was Saltergate, officially named the Recreation Ground, which was in use from 1872 to 2010. Saltergate's record attendance was 30,561, which was set when Chesterfield hostedTottenham Hotspurin the FA Cup fifth round in February 1938.[31]

Since the 2010–11 season, Chesterfield have played their home games at the £13 million B2net Stadium. The first match was againstDerby Countyin a pre-season friendly, which Derby won 5–4,Craig Daviesbecoming the first goalscorer at the stadium. The first competitive fixture was againstBarnet,which ended in a 2–1 win afterDwayne Mattisscored the opening League goal at the ground in the first half. Chesterfield suffered their first home league defeat at the B2net Stadium after a 2–1 loss toBurton Albionon 13 November 2010.[32]

On 13 August 2012, it was announced that, after the acquisition of b2net by Proact, the stadium would be renamed the Proact Stadium. On 15 May 2020, it was announced that, from August, the stadium would be renamed again, this time to the Technique Stadium, after local education provider Technique acquired the naming rights. In 2023 the stadium was renamed for the new sponsors, financial services company SMH group, for a minimum of three years. The highest attendance at the SMH group stadium was 10,108 at home in their last match of the 2023–24 National League season againstMaidenhead Unitedwhich Chesterfield won 3–2.[33]

Rivalries[edit]

Chesterfield's geographical position means that the club holds many local derbies. Their main rival is considered to be the Nottinghamshire clubMansfield Town,[34]with the club contending a number of fiery encounters. This was intensified due to theMiners' Strike,with those in Derbyshire largely striking, while those in Nottinghamshire did not, leading to the latter being referred to as 'scabs'.[35][36]The last fixture between the sides finished in a 1–0 win for Mansfield at the Proact Stadium in April 2018.[37]Chesterfield also have rivalries with nearby South Yorkshire clubsRotherham United,Sheffield WednesdayandSheffield United.[38][additional citation(s) needed]The rivalries with Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday both came to the fore with the two playing in League One at periods in the 2010s.[39][40]The Spireites have encountered United much more in recent years, continuing to meet in the third level of English football until 2017.[39]

A slight rivalry withGrimsby Townintensified with a number of feisty encounters over the years.[41]

Players[edit]

Further information:List of Chesterfield F.C. players

Current squad[edit]

As of 6 June 2024[42]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules.Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
3 DF EnglandENG Branden Horton
4 MF EnglandENG Tom Naylor(vice-captain)
5 DF EnglandENG Jamie Grimes(captain)
7 MF EnglandENG Liam Mandeville
8 MF EnglandENG Darren Oldaker
9 FW Northern IrelandNIR Will Grigg
10 MF EnglandENG Michael Jacobs
11 MF EnglandENG Ryan Colclough
12 DF EnglandENG Tyrone Williams
15 MF EnglandENG Bailey Hobson
17 MF AlbaniaALB Armando Dobra
18 FW EnglandENG James Berry
21 DF EnglandENG Ash Palmer
22 DF EnglandENG Ryheem Sheckleford
No. Pos. Nation Player
23 GK EnglandENG Ryan Boot
27 FW Republic of IrelandIRL Joe Quigley
28 MF EnglandENG Ollie Banks
35 MF EnglandENG Mike Jones
40 MF EnglandENG Connor Cook
42 FW EnglandENG Thomas Marshall
43 MF GhanaGHA Jay Abudu
44 MF GibraltarGIB Liam Jessop
45 MF EnglandENG Ali Mohiuddin
— DF ScotlandSCO Lewis Gordon
— FW Republic of IrelandIRL Paddy Madden
— DF JamaicaJAM Chey Dunkley
— MF EnglandENG Kane Drummond
— MF NigeriaNGA Tim Akinola

Out on loan[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules.Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player

Retired numbers[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules.Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
14 FW EnglandENG Jack Lester(2007–2013 as a player; 2017–2018 as manager)[43]

Club officials[edit]

Management and backroom staff

As of 7 December 2022[44]
  • Manager:Paul Cook
  • Assistant manager:Danny Webb
  • First team coach:Gary Roberts
  • First team coach:Kieron Dyer
  • First team coach: Paddy Byrne
  • Goalkeeping coach: Dave O'Hare
  • Head of recruitment: Neill Hornby
  • Kit Man: Jason Baker
  • First-team analyst: Jack Stephenson
  • Academy manager: Neil Cluxton

Managerial history[edit]

Source:[45]

Honours[edit]

Source:[46]

League

Cup

Notes
  • Derbyshire Senior Cup is competed for by all registered Derbyshire FA clubs. Until season 2010–11, Chesterfield and Derby County did not enter teams and in turn competed in their own competition called the Derbyshire FA Centenary Cup. Both Chesterfield and Derby County have fielded reserve sides in the Derbyshire Senior Cup since season 2010–11.

Club records[edit]

Highest Football League finish 1946–47, 4th place inFootball League Second Division(second tier)[47]
Best FA Cup finish 1996–97,semi-finalists[48]
Best League Trophy finish Winners:2011–12
Highest home attendance 30,561: vs.Tottenham Hotspur,12 February 1938[49]
Most league appearances Dave Blakey:617, 1948–1967[50]
Most league goals Ernie Moss:162, 1968–1975, 1979–1981, 1984–1986[51]
Youngest player Dennis Thompson: 16 years 159 days[52]
Oldest player Billy Kidd:40 years 232 days[53]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcdeBasson, Stuart (6 June 2010)."Four clubs for Chesterfield".Chesterfield F.C. Archived fromthe originalon 29 March 2012.Retrieved31 August2011.Although there is a widely-held belief that the first Chesterfield club was formed in 1866, no contemporary documentary evidence has been found to substantiate a claim for formation earlier than October 19th., 1867... The Chesterfield Town FC (1899) Ltd was put into voluntary liquidation in 1915... Chesterfield Borough Council formed of the Chesterfield Municipal FC on April 24th, 1919... That Chesterfield FC is the one that we watch today...
  2. ^When Saturday Comes: A Half Decent Football Book.Penguin Books. 2005.ISBN9780141927039.
  3. ^"Chesterfield FC sold to Community Trust".7 August 2020. Archived fromthe originalon 18 September 2020.
  4. ^"Formation cogitation 1".Sky is Blue.Archived fromthe originalon 20 October 2013.Retrieved25 June2013.
  5. ^Basson, Stuart (2010) "Saltergate Sunset: The Story of the Recreation Ground, Chesterfield", Chesterfield F.C., p27
  6. ^abBasson, Stuart."Football in Chesterfield – a concise history".Chesterfield F.C.Retrieved21 May2012.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^"Strange Hues – Exotic Early Football Kits".Historical Football Kits.Retrieved26 May2012.
  8. ^abcdGoldstein, Dan (1999).The Rough Guide to English Football: A fans' handbook 1999–2000.Rough Guides Ltd.pp. 154–158.ISBN1-85828-455-4.
  9. ^abBasson, Stuart (13 June 2010)."Chesterfield FC: a potted history".Chesterfield F.C. Archived fromthe originalon 13 April 2010.Retrieved18 March2012.
  10. ^Basson, Stuart (1 May 2012)."Chesterfield History: The Basics".Chesterfield F.C. Archived fromthe originalon 19 March 2013.Retrieved23 July2012.
  11. ^Basson, Stuart (8 June 2011)."Seasons of Plenty 3".Chesterfield F.C. Archived fromthe originalon 13 April 2012.
  12. ^"Chesterfield Football Club – The Spireites".football-england.com. Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2011.
  13. ^Conn, David(28 September 2005)."Prison finally catches up with Chesterfield's crooked Spireite".The Guardian.
  14. ^abcdChesterfieldat theFootball Club History Database
  15. ^"Chesterfield 3 – 1 Gillingham".BBC Sport. 2 May 2011.
  16. ^"Chesterfield 2–0 Swindon".BBC Sport.Retrieved25 March2012.
  17. ^"Yeovil Town 3–2 Chesterfield".BBC Sport. 28 April 2012.Retrieved5 October2022.
  18. ^"Chesterfield 2–1 Fleetwood Town".BBC Sport.2 May 2014.Retrieved31 May2024.
  19. ^Nathan Middleton (10 May 2015)."Preston North End 3–0 Chesterfield (4–0 agg.)".BBC Sport.Retrieved5 October2022.
  20. ^"Chesterfield chairman and director Dave Allen leaves roles".Sky Sports News.14 November 2016.Retrieved19 November2016.
  21. ^"Four Chesterfield directors resign as boardroom crisis deepends".Sky Sports News.18 November 2016.Retrieved19 November2016.
  22. ^"Ashley Carson – Director's interview".19 November 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 10 November 2021.Retrieved19 November2016– via YouTube.
  23. ^"Chesterfield relegated from League Two after Morecambe draw".BBC Sport. 24 April 2018.Retrieved14 December2023.
  24. ^Norcliffe, Liam (8 August 2020).""Give us a chance" - New Spireites chairman on appointing Pemberton, more financial support and his message to fans ".Retrieved28 January2024.
  25. ^"That time we took on the champions of Europe".Chesterfield FC.9 January 2022.
  26. ^Aloia, Andrew (13 May 2023)."Chesterfield 2–2 Notts County (3–4 on penalties)".BBC Sport.Retrieved14 December2023.
  27. ^"Chesterfield 3–0 Boreham Wood".BBC Sport. 23 March 2024.Retrieved24 March2024.
  28. ^"Chesterfield FC".Historical Football Kits.Retrieved5 October2022.
  29. ^"New 150th Anniversary Kit revealed".Chesterfield F.C.Retrieved12 April2016.
  30. ^"Technique Learning named as new shirt sponsor".Chesterfield F.C.Archived fromthe originalon 1 May 2019.Retrieved1 May2019.
  31. ^Record attendances and receiptsArchived29 February 2012 at theWayback Machine
  32. ^"Chairman's AGM New Stadium Statement".Chesterfield Football Club. 22 January 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 4 October 2011.Retrieved22 January2009.
  33. ^"Chesterfield stadium renamed following new sponsorship deal".13 June 2023.Retrieved19 June2023.
  34. ^Patrick Goss."Football Rivals: The Census".Sky Sports.Retrieved2 December2023.
  35. ^Jonathan Chubb (5 February 2022)."Chesterfield's historic rivalry with Mansfield laid bare".Derby Telegraph.Retrieved15 January2024.
  36. ^David Pittam (6 March 2019)."Miners' strike: The decades-old feud that still divides communities".BBC News.Retrieved15 January2024.
  37. ^"Chesterfield football club: record v Mansfield Town".11v11.AFS Enterprises.Retrieved2 December2023.
  38. ^"Club Rivalries Uncovered"(PDF).Football Fans Census.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 20 October 2013.Retrieved15 January2024.
  39. ^ab"Chesterfield football club: record v Sheffield United".11v11.Retrieved15 January2024.
  40. ^"Chesterfield football club: record v Sheffield Wednesday".11v11.Retrieved15 January2024.
  41. ^Elliott Jackson (10 December 2021)."'Needle' – Chesterfield boss expecting feisty game and dismisses Grimsby Town form ".Grimsby Telegraph.Retrieved15 January2024.
  42. ^"First Team - Chesterfield FC".chesterfield-fc.co.uk.Retrieved6 August2022.
  43. ^"Number 14 Shirt Retired".chesterfieldfc.co.uk.2 August 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 7 August 2013.Retrieved7 August2013.
  44. ^"Staff Directory".Chesterfield FC.Retrieved2 December2023.
  45. ^"Chesterfield Manager History".Soccerbase.Retrieved2 December2023.
  46. ^"Chesterfield football club honours".11v11.Retrieved8 September2023.
  47. ^"Chesterfield FC".European Football Statistics.Retrieved5 October2022.
  48. ^Chris Evans (20 April 2022)."When Chesterfield came within a whisker of an FA Cup final 25 years ago".The Guardian.Retrieved5 October2022.
  49. ^Record attendances and receiptsArchived29 February 2012 at theWayback Machine
  50. ^Chesterfield players with 100+ Football League appearancesArchived29 March 2012 at theWayback Machine
  51. ^"Ernie Moss".Chesterfield FC Official Site. 2 January 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 4 October 2011.Retrieved23 April2010.
  52. ^Chesterfield youngest debutantsArchived29 March 2012 at theWayback Machine
  53. ^Chesterfield oldest debutants and oldest playersArchived29 March 2012 at theWayback Machine

External links[edit]

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