All You Need To Know About....Chesterfield

By: Ian Blakemore
Date: 03/01/2008

DESPITE what the Central Trains map claims, Chesterfield is not located in Yorkshire. I was unfortunately born in the dump and with most of my family situated there; here is some information about the town.

Location

Chesterfield is situated in Derbyshire and is several miles away from the M1. Approximately 250,000 people live in Chesterfield and the surrounding area. The fast train service to London, Birmingham and Bristol and with it being situated near Sheffield, Derby and Doncaster has made it a popular commuter Town for those fancy city slickers.

The Crooked Spire

Chesterfield is famous for its crooked spire (it’s not something I boast about, coming from a Town with a bent spire!) I’m sure our BP Vicar will not be impressed. There are several well known folk tales about why the Spire became crooked. The first is because a virgin was getting married in the church and the spire being a bit of a pervert decided to have a good look, moving as she moved causing it to bend and twist. If another virgin should marry in the church, then it is claimed it will straighten to its original position. The second story reckons it is because some (numpty) black smith from nearby Bolsover miss-shoed the devil, causing him to leap in pain, in the process he caught the spire and damaged it.

Chesterfield FC

The football Club has never really won much in its history despite being the fourth oldest English Football League Club. Several promotions to the now League One has been the highest the Spirites have ever been.

The club became well known as ‘Cheaterfield’ due to the illegal payment to players by then Chairman during which the club were docked 9 points and still won promotion, making them very unpopular with many fans of various clubs . The dodgy chap Mr Brown, (no not the Prime Minister) went to prison, the club went bankrupt and the fans and the local Council bailed the club out of trouble.

Chesterfield’s biggest claim to fame was getting to the Semi Final of the FA Cup back in 1997 and drawing 3-3 with Middlesbrough, Chesterfield also scored a blatant goal which the Referee claimed didn’t cross the line.

The Recreation Ground is home to Chesterfield, but is more commonly known as Saltergate. The ground is in a terrible state, please be careful not to break your neck as you walk along the terrace! The ground holds 8,500 and the away end is an open terrace, so I advise dress appropriately as rain is common with it being situated close to the Pennines! The Club have plans to relocate to land and build a new stadium next to the A61. The ground (if and when it’s built) will house 10,500 spectators.

Drinking Holes

There are plenty of pubs to choose from in the Town Centre all are in close proximity of one and other. The Brampton mile is famous for its range of pubs within the distance mentioned, though not as popular as in times gone by due to several night clubs closing in the area, the challenge is still undertaken by many and has appeared in several books about ale. Would it be as good as the Freemo Challenge though, that I do not know!

Famous People

John Luckic, Bob Wilson and John Lowe are all from the Town. Gordon Banks and Steve Ogrizovic, Des Walker were famous past players who have graced the blue shirt for the Spirites. So the Town does have some sporting success, it’s just the football Club that has never achieved much during its history not its former players.

Previous Meetings

The two clubs have a fierce rivalry, last time the score ended up 4-4 with 4,444 attending the game. Mansaram was sent off minutes after coming on and scoring as a substitute. Barnard gave two penalties away, The Derbyshire constabulary tried arresting any Town fan that breathed and the scenes in the away terrace were just absolute bedlam with over 1000 town fans adrenalin pumping from a pulsating, fiercely contested game, lets hope for an exciting game with a good Grimsby win!

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