The History of Chesterfield FC: The Story of The Spireites

Dec 4, 2010
Steve Rogerson

Chesterfield's new stadium - Photo by Steve Rogerson

From uncertain beginnings, Chesterfield FC have begun life in a new stadium and are looking forward to a better future. This article looks at their history.

Chesterfield FC in Derbyshire is possibly the fourth oldest club in the English Football league, “possibly” because there is some doubt as to whether the club dates back to a club formed in 1867, or even a year earlier, or to the club that came into existence in 1919. Either way, Chesterfield is a traditional English football club that has spent its life in the lower divisions yet still attracts a loyal following of supporters.

The Birth of Chesterfield FC

The official history of Chesterfield FC dates back to 19 October 1867 when the Chesterfield Cricket Club met in the County Hotel in Saltergate to form a football club. However, in the 1905 Book of Football there is reference to the club being formed in 1866 in an article by club director George Oram. No other evidence for the earlier date has ever surfaced.

However, whichever date is correct, it is disputable whether the club thus formed can be considered the same club in existence today as that club folded in 1881 and most of the players joined either Spital or Chesterfield Livingston. Three years later, some of the players came back together to form the second incarnation of Chesterfield FC. In 1887, the team lost 12-0 to Old Whittington Revolution, Chesterfield’s largest ever defeat. The club also became known at about this time as Chesterfield Town.

In 1891, the club won its first trophy, the Barnes Charity Cup, in a match that included a pitch invasion by a bull. A year later, the club entered the Sheffield League and won it at the first attempt and 1892 saw Chesterfield’s first entry in the FA Cup, losing to Gainsborough Trinity after a replay.

In 1896, they moved up to the Midlands Counties League and three years later were elected to the Football League proper, finishing seventh in their first season in Division Two. Life in the Football League was short lived, and in 1909 they failed to secure re-election and dropped back to the Midlands League. Problems though continued and the club folded again in 1917 after an illegal payments scandal.

The club that exists today was thus formed two years later and known as the Chesterfield Municipal Football Club. A year later, the club won the Midlands League and dropped the word “Municipal” from its name. In 1921, the club was back in the Football League, as a founder member of the Third Division North.

The Growth of Chesterfield FC

After struggling a little in their early days back in the Football League, Chesterfield set a Football League record in 1930 by scoring in 46 consecutive league matches and in 1931 won Division Three North and were promoted to Division Two. The dizzy heights proved too much and they were relegated back to Division Three in 1933 and promoted again in 1936. Three years later, the club finished in their highest league position to date – sixth.

During the Second World War years when the Football League was suspended, Chesterfield played in the East Midlands Regional League, which they won in 1940. Their wartime success continued in 1944 when they knocked Liverpool out of the War League Cup before losing to Manchester United in the semi-finals. Their success continued when the Football League resumed with a fourth place finish in 1947.

Despite a good FA Cup run in 1950 that saw them reach the fifth round, the club were relegated in 1951. When the regional leagues were abandoned in 1958, Chesterfield found themselves in Division Three. In goal at the time was a young Gordon Banks, who was later to become one of the most famous goalkeepers ever to play for England and was between the sticks in the famous 1966 World Cup Final.

Chesterfield were relegated to Division Four in 1961. In 1963 they became the last Football League club to install floodlights but it was 1970 before success lit up the club again when they finished top of Division Four. Another decade passed though before the club saw more silverware when they beat Glasgow Rangers 3-0 to win the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1981. Glory was short-lived, and relegation followed in 1983 and the club nearly went out of existence due to financial problems.

After local businessmen Mike Watterson and Barrie Hubbard put together a rescue package, the club started to rebuild and won Division Four again in 1985. Boardroom squabbles followed and crowds slumped. Chesterfield were relegated in 1989. They reached the playoffs the following season, but lost in the Wembley final to Cambridge United.

Cup Glory for Chesterfield FC

The 1990s saw two remarkable cup achievements for Chesterfield. The first was in 1992 when they managed to draw 4-4 away at Liverpool in the League Cup. After winning promotion via the playoffs in 1995 and missing out on the playoffs the following season by one place, the club went on their best ever FA Cup run in 1996/97. Bolton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest were among the casualties as Chesterfield progressed to the semi-finals of the FA Cup where they drew 3-3 with Middlesbrough but succumbed in the replay to miss out on the final.

Chesterfield failed to build on this success and were relegated in 2000 but were promoted the following year only to be relegated back to the fourth tier in 2007 despite a League Cup run that saw them knock out two Premiership clubs. In 2011, they won the League Two championship to win promotion to the third tier.

Chesterfield FC Today

At the end of the 2009/10 season, Chesterfield moved from their Saltergate ground on the town’s Recreation Ground, which had been the home of the club in one form or another since 1871, to a new purpose built 10,000 plus capacity stadium.

For those who fancy seeing Chesterfield play, don’t forget to take in the crooked spire on the church in the town centre from which the football club gets its nickname The Spireites, and while there visit some of the good pubs and bars in Chesterfield for a drink before and after the game.