Chesterfield – Unreliable History, Club Records & Details

Formed in 1866, they are the fourth oldest club in the country. They were elected into Division Two in 1888 but did not turn professional until 1891, when they won the Barnes Cup (which had one good season and then failed to live up to it’s hype) and three more trophies the next season. In 1909 they failed to win re-election and stayed out of the League until 1921. But on re-entry to the League Arnold Birch scored five penalties in 1924 – from the position of goalie !! Spot-kicks play a vital part in the club’s history as George Milburn scored three in one match in 1947 against Sheffield Wednesday. They were not quite enough to get Chesterfield promoted as they fell at the play-off stage and stayed down.

Strange things have happened at the club. During their early days, they scrapped their light and dark blue shirts and adopted a Union Jack design instead in 1890. This was dropped when they began to be commandeered for use as flags in local town halls. Then in the post World War 1 period, they were partly run by the Council and were called Chesterfield Municipal FC. Like all things run by a committee, they were designed to function as a football team and ended up helping out doing the refuse collection as part of the Council cutbacks.

Chesterfield have the record for most consecutive games scored in, lasting a year and one day – a total of 48 matches between Christmas Day 1929 and Boxing Day 1930. The club has not been without success however. In 1931 and 1936 they were Div. 3 (N) champions and won Division 4 on two occasions, -1970 and 1985. Perhaps season 1980-81 was their greatest hour, when they played 65 matches – a record outside of the top two divisions. Their labours were rewarded by winning the Anglo-Scottish Cup after beating Notts. County – who were from 30 miles down the road !! As Scottish teams pulled out of the competition after this season, Chesterfield were the last holders of the trophy.

The Spireites have long been a production line for top class goalkeepers. Gordon Banks first played for the club in 1955 and after 23 games went off to Leicester City. He was preceded by Sam Hardy and has been followed by nine others who have gone on to play at a higher level. Other players of note include Kevin Davies, who was the youngest player to appear in the League Cup at the time, starting for Chesterfield at 16 years and 104 days of age.

Their latest success came in 1996-7, when they were within inches of Wembley and an FA Cup Final, when David Elleray denied them a goal when a shot bounced down off the bar and DID cross the line. Middlesbrough went on to win a replay and the same club denied them a spot in the League Cup Final by beating them in the semis of that competition.  Managed until recently by John Duncan, the ex-Spurs striker, the fans have been unhappy about the style of play, but the cup successes have been welcomed.  His departure came just before the end of the 1999-2000 season, which saw Chesterfield relegated to Division Three.

Currently located at the Recreation Ground, they moved there from the nearby Spital Ground in 1884. The club are nicknamed the Spireites as they aspire to great things.

Season 2000-01 should have been one to remember for the right reasons for the club.  Leading the Third Division for most of the campaign, the promotion back to Div. 2 was always on the cards, but some off-field activities that were as crooked as the town’s spire saw the FA dock points for financial irregularities, ensuring that the club only got a place in the top three in the past couple of matches.  Closure of part of their ground lead to massively reduced attendances and ensuing lower income from gate receipts.  It was hoped that the fans who have taken a place on the board would be able to get things straight and there was some sort of stability off the field, while on it, the team bounced around tiers three and four before losing their League status in 2018.

Things haven’t been straightforward in the National League with lower half finishes been followed by a play-off place in 2020-21, but they lost out to Notts County in the elimination game and will have to try again to regain their place in the EFL.

Famous Players : – Ernie Moss, Kevin Davies, Gary Stone, Jason Lee, Walter McMillen, Sam Hardy, Gordon Banks, Herbert Munday, Steve Ogrizovic, Barry Sunday,  Freeman Hardy and Willis Edwards

Famous Fans : – Jo Guest (Model), Robert Primrose Wilson (Football Presenter), John Lukic (Goalkeeper – Arsenal).

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