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 association football team from Chesterfield, England. They are known as "Town" or "The Spireites." The team plays in EFL League Two, which is the fourth level of English football. They earned their spot there by winning the 2023–24 National League title.
Chesterfield plays home games at the SMH Group Stadium, which can hold 10,500 fans. They moved to this stadium in 2010 from their old home, Saltergate. Some famous players include Dave Blakey, who played in 617 league games, and Ernie Moss, who scored 162 league goals. The club has strong local rivalries, especially with Mansfield Town.
The club was first formed in 1867. The current professional club started in 1919. They joined the Football League Second Division in 1899. After some ups and downs, they became a founding member of the Football League Third Division North in 1921. They have won several league titles and even reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 1997.
Contents
Club History: A Journey Through the Leagues
Chesterfield Football Club has a long history, with different teams using the name over time. A club called Chesterfield FC was playing as early as 1863.
A second Chesterfield FC was officially started in October 1867. This club moved to the Recreation Ground at Saltergate in 1871. However, the club closed in 1881. Many players then joined other local teams.
In 1884, a third Chesterfield Football Club was formed, also playing at Saltergate. This team became professional in 1891 and changed its name to Chesterfield Town. They won local trophies and first played in the FA Cup in 1892. In 1896, they joined the Midland League. They then joined the Football League Second Division in 1899. After some tough seasons, they left the Football League in 1909 and went back to the Midland League.
In 1915, Chesterfield Town closed down. The current Chesterfield FC was formed on April 24, 1919, by the Chesterfield Borough Council. It was first called "Chesterfield Municipal." They quickly won the Midland League title. However, football authorities wanted the club to be independent, so it became Chesterfield FC in December 1920.
Joining the Football League
In the 1921–22 season, Chesterfield became a founding member of the new Football League Third Division North. They won this division in 1930–31 and were promoted to the Second Division. They won the Third Division North title again in 1935–36.
After World War II, the club had its best-ever league finish, coming fourth in the Second Division in 1946–47. But they were relegated in 1950–51. In 1961, Chesterfield dropped to the Football League Fourth Division for the first time.
Cup Success and Promotions
Chesterfield spent eight seasons in the Fourth Division before winning it in 1969–70. They also won the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1981. After being relegated in 1983–84, they won the Fourth Division title again in 1984–85.
In 1993, John Duncan became manager. In 1994–95, Chesterfield won the play-offs against Mansfield Town and Bury to get promoted. The 1996–97 season was special as Chesterfield reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time. They beat six clubs, including Premier League team Nottingham Forest. The semi-final against Middlesbrough was a thrilling 3–3 draw, but Chesterfield lost the replay.
Challenges and Comebacks
In 2000, the club was relegated. The next year, Chesterfield faced some difficulties with its finances. Despite these challenges, the team still managed to get promoted back to the third tier. Fans took over ownership of the club to help it recover.
Chesterfield was relegated to EFL League Two in 2006–07. The club left its old home, Saltergate, in 2010 and moved to the new B2net Stadium. They won the League Two title in 2010–11, earning promotion to EFL League One.
In 2011, Dave Allen became the main owner. Chesterfield won the EFL Trophy in 2012, beating Swindon Town 2–0 in the final. They were runners-up in the same competition in 2014. Chesterfield won the League Two title for a record fourth time in 2013–14 under manager Paul Cook.
After being relegated twice in a row, Chesterfield left the English Football League in 2018. However, they made a great comeback, winning the National League title in the 2023–24 season. This brought them back into EFL League Two. The club's ownership was transferred to brothers Phil and Ashley Kirk during this successful season.
Team Kits and Sponsors
Here's a look at Chesterfield's kit suppliers and sponsors over the years:
| 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 | |
| 2019–2022 | Technique Learning | |
| 2022– | Leengate Valves |
Home Stadium: From Saltergate to SMH Group Stadium
Chesterfield's first long-term home was Saltergate, also called the Recreation Ground. It was used from 1872 to 2010. The biggest crowd at Saltergate was 30,561 fans. This happened when Chesterfield played Tottenham Hotspur in an FA Cup match in February 1938.
Since the 2010–11 season, Chesterfield has played at the SMH Group Stadium. This stadium cost £13 million to build. The first game there was a friendly match against Derby County. The first league goal at the new stadium was scored by Dwayne Mattis in a 2–1 win against Barnet.
The stadium's name has changed a few times. It was first the B2net Stadium, then the Proact Stadium, and later the Technique Stadium. In 2023, it was renamed the SMH Group Stadium. The highest attendance at the SMH Group Stadium was 10,108 fans. This was for their last home game of the 2023–24 National League season against Maidenhead United.
Local Rivalries: Who Are Chesterfield's Biggest Opponents?
Chesterfield has many local rivalries because of where it is located. Their main rival is usually seen as Mansfield Town from Nottinghamshire. Games between these two teams are often very exciting. This rivalry became even stronger during the Miners' Strike in the 1980s.
Chesterfield also has rivalries with clubs from nearby South Yorkshire. These include Rotherham United, Sheffield Wednesday, and Sheffield United. The games against the Sheffield teams became more frequent 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 intense matches.
Team Players
Current Squad: Meet the Players
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Retired Jersey Numbers
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Club Staff
Management and Coaching Team
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | Paul Cook |
| Assistant manager | Danny Webb |
| First team coach | Gary Roberts |
| Kieron Dyer | |
| 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 |
Managers Through the Years
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Club Achievements and Records
Here are some of the titles and records Chesterfield Football Club holds:
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): 1898–99, 1920–21, 1921–22, 1924–25, 1932–33, 1936–37, 2017–18
Club Records: Amazing Feats
| 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, 12 February 1938 |
| Most league appearances | Dave Blakey: 617 games, from 1948–1967 |
| Most league goals | Ernie Moss: 162 goals, across three periods: 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
