Chesterfield F.C. facts for kids
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| Full name | Chesterfield Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Town, The Spireites | ||
| Founded | 19 October 1867 (original) 24 April 1919 (current) |
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| Ground | SMH Group Stadium | ||
| Capacity | 10,600 | ||
| Owner | Phil Kirk and Ashley Kirk | ||
| Chairman | Mike Goodwin | ||
| Manager | Paul Cook | ||
| League | National League | ||
| 2018–19 | National League, 14th of 24 | ||
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Chesterfield Football Club is a professional football team from Chesterfield, England. They play in EFL League Two, which is the fourth division of English football. They earned their spot there by winning the 2023–24 National League title.
Chesterfield plays their home games at the SMH Group Stadium, which can hold 10,500 fans. They moved there in 2010 from their old home, Saltergate. Some famous players include Dave Blakey, who played in more games than anyone else (617 league games). Another legend is Ernie Moss, who scored the most goals for the club (162 league goals). The club has many local rivalries, especially with Mansfield Town.
Chesterfield FC officially started in 1867. However, the club we know today became professional in 1891 and was first called Chesterfield Town. They joined the Midland League in 1896. Then, in 1899, they moved up to the Football League Second Division. After a few tough years, they returned to the Midland League in 1909 and won it in 1909–10.
The club faced some challenges and closed down in 1915. But it was reformed as Chesterfield Municipal in 1919. They quickly won the Midland League again in 1919–20. The club was renamed Chesterfield in 1920. In 1921, they became a founding member of the new Football League Third Division North.
Chesterfield won the Third Division North title twice, in 1930–31 and 1935–36. After World War II, they had their best-ever league finish, coming fourth in the Second Division in 1946–47. They won the Fourth Division in 1969–70. They also won the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1980.
The club won the Fourth Division title again in 1984–85. In 1995, they won a play-off final at Wembley to get back into the third division. A big moment came in 1997 when Chesterfield reached the FA Cup semi-finals. They drew 3–3 with Middlesbrough in a thrilling match, but lost the replay.
After some ups and downs, including a points deduction in 2001 due to financial issues, Chesterfield kept fighting. They won the League Two title in 2010–11. In 2012, they won the Football League Trophy by beating Swindon Town 2–0. They won the League Two title again in 2013–14, making it a record four times.
In recent years, the club faced more challenges and was relegated out of the English Football League in 2018. However, they made a fantastic comeback. In 2024, they won the National League title. This victory brought them back into the Football League, where they are now ready for new challenges!
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History of Chesterfield FC
There have been several football teams called Chesterfield Football Club over time. Reports suggest a Chesterfield FC was playing as early as 1863.
A second Chesterfield FC officially started in October 1867. It was linked to the Chesterfield Cricket Club. Both clubs moved to the Recreation Ground at Saltergate in 1871. However, the football club closed in 1881. Many players then joined other local teams.
In 1884, a third Chesterfield Football Club was formed. This team also played at Saltergate. It took in players from earlier clubs. This club later changed its name to Chesterfield Town and became professional in 1891. They won several local trophies.
Chesterfield Town joined the Midland League in 1896. They then successfully joined the Football League Second Division in 1899. After some difficult seasons, they left the Football League in 1909 and went back to the Midland League. They won that league in 1909–10.
In 1915, Chesterfield Town closed down. A new club with the same name was formed to play during wartime. But it only lasted two years before it was shut down due to rule breaking.
The Modern Club Begins
The current Chesterfield FC was formed on April 24, 1919. It was started by the Chesterfield Borough Council to help improve local sports. It was first called "Chesterfield Municipal." The club did very well in its first season, winning the Midland League title.
However, football authorities did not want a club run by the council. So, the club had to become independent. It changed its name to Chesterfield FC in December 1920.
In the 1921–22 season, Chesterfield became a founding member of the new Football League Third Division North. With new leaders, the club won the Third Division North title in the 1930–31 season. They were promoted to the Second Division. They won the Third Division North title again in 1936.
Post-War Success and Challenges
After World War II, the club had its best league finish ever. They came fourth in the Second Division in 1946–47. But after selling some key players, they were relegated in 1950–51. In 1958, future England goalkeeper Gordon Banks made his first professional appearance for Chesterfield.
In 1961, Chesterfield was relegated to the Football League Fourth Division for the first time. They spent eight seasons there. They earned promotion as champions in 1969–70. The club also won the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1981.
Financial problems led to the council helping the club in 1985. Chesterfield won the Fourth Division title again in 1984–85. In 1995, they won a play-off final at Wembley to move up a division.
FA Cup Run and Recent Years
The 1996–97 season was very special. Chesterfield beat six clubs, including Premier League team Nottingham Forest, to reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time. They drew 3–3 with Middlesbrough in a thrilling match, but lost the replay 3–0.
In 2000, the club was relegated. The next year, Chesterfield faced financial problems and had nine points taken away. Despite this, the team still managed to get promoted automatically! The club was taken over by a fans' group.
Chesterfield was relegated to League Two in 2006–07. At the end of the 2009–10 season, they left their old home at Saltergate. They moved to the new B2net Stadium. Chesterfield was promoted to League One after winning the League Two title in 2010–11.
In 2012, they won the Football League Trophy for the first time, beating Swindon Town 2–0 in the final. They won the League Two title again in 2013–14, making it a record four times.
In 2016, the club faced more challenges. Several directors resigned, and the club needed new investment. Chesterfield was relegated from League One in 2016–17. Then, in 2017–18, they were relegated again, leaving the English Football League for the first time since 1921.
In 2020, the Chesterfield FC Community Trust, a charity, bought the club. In 2022, the club played against Chelsea in the FA Cup, losing 5–1. After three unsuccessful play-off attempts, Chesterfield finally won the National League title in the 2023–24 season. This brought them back into the Football League after six seasons away!
Kit Manufacturers and Sponsors
This table shows the different companies that have made Chesterfield's kits and sponsored their shirts over the years.
| Period | Sportswear | Sponsor |
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| 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 | |
| 2019–2022 | Technique Learning | |
| 2022– | Leengate Valves |
Stadium History
Chesterfield's old home was Saltergate, also known as the Recreation Ground. They played there from 1872 until 2010. The most people ever at Saltergate was 30,561. This happened in February 1938 when Chesterfield played Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup.
Since the 2010–11 season, Chesterfield has played at the £13 million B2net Stadium. The first game there was a friendly match against Derby County. The first league goal at the new stadium was scored by Dwayne Mattis.
The stadium's name has changed a few times. In 2012, it became the Proact Stadium. In 2020, it was renamed the Technique Stadium. Since 2023, it has been known as the SMH Group Stadium. The highest attendance at the SMH Group Stadium was 10,108 fans. This was for their last match of the 2023–24 National League season.
Club Rivalries
Chesterfield has many local rivalries because of where it is located. Their main rival is usually considered to be Mansfield Town. Games between these two teams are often very exciting and competitive.
The rivalry with Mansfield Town became even stronger during the Miners' Strike in the 1980s. Miners in Derbyshire generally went on strike, while those in Nottinghamshire (where Mansfield is) did not. This created some tension between the areas.
Chesterfield also has rivalries with nearby clubs from South Yorkshire. These include Rotherham United, Sheffield Wednesday, and Sheffield United. The rivalries with the Sheffield clubs became more noticeable when they all played in League One in the 2010s.
A smaller rivalry has also grown with Grimsby Town over the years, leading to some feisty matches.
Current Players
First Team Squad
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Players on Loan
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Retired Shirt Numbers
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Club Officials
Management and Backroom Staff
- 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
Here is a list of all the managers who have led Chesterfield FC over the years:
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Club Honours and Records
Here are some of the awards and achievements Chesterfield FC has won, along with some club records:
League Titles
- Third Division North (level 3)
- Champions: 1930–31, 1935–36
- Fourth Division / Third Division / League Two (level 4)
- Champions: 1969–70, 1984–85, 2010–11, 2013–14
- Promoted: 2000–01
- Play-off winners: 1995
- National League (level 5)
- Champions: 2023–24
- Midland League
- Champions: 1909–10, 1919–20
Cup Wins
- Football League Trophy
- Winners: 2011–12
- Runners-up: 2013–14
- Anglo-Scottish Cup
- Winners: 1980–81
- Derbyshire Senior Cup
- Winners (7 times): 1898–99, 1920–21, 1921–22, 1924–25, 1932–33, 1936–37, 2017–18
Club Records
| Highest Football League Finish | 1946–47, 4th place in Football League Second Division (second tier) |
| Best FA Cup Finish | 1996–97, semi-finalists |
| Best League Trophy Finish | Winners: 2011–12 |
| Highest Home Attendance | 30,561: vs. Tottenham Hotspur, February 12, 1938 |
| Most League Appearances | Dave Blakey: 617 games, 1948–1967 |
| Most League Goals | Ernie Moss: 162 goals, 1968–1975, 1979–1981, 1984–1986 |
| Youngest Player | Dennis Thompson: 16 years and 159 days old |
| Oldest Player | Billy Kidd: 40 years and 232 days old |
See also
In Spanish: Chesterfield Football Club para niños
