Football League Two
Saturday 22nd September 2007
Kick Off 3.00pm

Stadium: Recreation Ground, Saltergate, Chesterfield, S40 4SX
Telephone: 01246 209765
Club Colours: Blue and White
Nickname: Spireites

Official Club Website: www.chesterfield-fc.premiumtv.co.uk
Key Personnel: Manager Lee Richardson

Brief Directions By Road:
Take M1 motorway until its junction 29. On the exit roundabout take the A617 (signposted Chesterfield) where you will be on a duel carriageway for approx. eight miles.

As you approach the end of the A617 get in the middle lane and at the first roundabout just after the railway bridge take the second exit still the A617 keeping in the left-hand lane. At the next roundabout just after passing under the footbridge take the first exit onto the A619 Markham Lane. Follow this road (still the A619) pass the Retail Park and at the West Bars roundabout take the 3rd exit into Foljambe Road. This has an a KFC or Hooded Fried Chicken on the corner. At the top of the hill you will see the home Kop end of ground. Go straight over the traffic lights and look out for a right turn into Cross Street were you will find the visiting fans turnstiles. These directions are courtesy of Chesterfield Football Club.

Car Parking:
Local streets are unrestricted if you can find a space! There are many car parks to choose from within 10 minutes walk from the football ground in the town centre but the best bet is the Chesterfield Town Hall Park, which is a short stroll away from the ground. Charges are approx. £3.00. This facility is well signposted when approaching the ground.

Directions By Train:
A slightly awkward journey awaits. An early morning train from St Pancras will arrive in Nottingham in less than two hours but a change here and again at Alfreton could be necessary to get to Chesterfield. The return journey with the same changes if you grab the 6.30pm train will get you back to London by around 10.00pm. The station is only a 15 walk from the ground. Simply follow the road out of the station and into Corporation Street. Cross the big roundabout and you will find yourself on Saltergate. The ground will be on your right.

Supporters Coaches:
Coach travel to away fixtures this season is being organised by the Barnet Football Club Supporters Association. For further details about Supporters coach travel and how to book check out the BFCSA website at www.bfcsa.co.uk.

Eating And Drinking Locally:
Allegedly there are over 20 pubs all within 10 minutes walk of the ground and most are friendly although I am informed that the local Police try to direct visiting fans to the two pubs closest to the away terrace, The Chesterfield Arms or The Industry. Both have a good range of beers and serve food. Further out of town and "on the way" I have been recommended the Jolly Farmers in the village of Holmewood which is situated on the A6175 (Heath Street) which is accessible from junction 29 of the M1. It boasts a children's play area and allegedly serves great food and I have been told the local Sausage, mash and onion gravy dish is to die for!

The Social Club:
The Saltergate Club can be found near the Kop or home end and we will be made welcome.

Ground Description:
The main stand at Saltergate is of a type that is fast becoming a rarity in this country. Built in 1936, in what is known as the Leitch style after the sportsground architect Archibald Leitch, it occupies the whole of one touchline with front straight loading stairways leading up to, in some sections quaint old bench seating. Alas, it will soon be demolished as the club is currently waiting on final planning permission for a new 12,000 all seater stadium on the other side of the town. Opposite is another old-fashioned structure, the Compton Stand. It was built in 1921, although the roof is not the original you would hardly notice, and it was an all standing area until a couple of years ago. To the left is the covered Kop Terrace which has always been a home fans stronghold. To the left is our home for the afternoon, the uncovered Cross Street Terrace which has room for 1,400. We will be allocated a section of seating in the main stand too - possibly in the section that has the aforementioned bench seating. I hope so!

Rivals:
Mansfield Town, Retford Utd and both Sheffield clubs.

Admission Prices:
Cross Street - Open terrace (Away supporters only ): Adult £15 - Senior Citizens £8 - Under 16's £5
Wing Stand: Adult £17 - Senior Citizens £11- Under 16's £11o

Our Last Meeting & Memories:
Our last visit to Chesterfield was in September 2000 when goals from Robbie Sawyers and King Kenny Charlery were featured in a 2-1 infront of over 4,000 fans. A Gary Bull brace bought home the spoils again by 2-1 in 1991 but the highlight of the duels for me personally was Dougie Freedman's, admirably aided I must add by Gerry McMahon, majestic performance at Underhill in October 1994. Dougie scored two in a 4-1 win that frankly didn't tell the whole story of a wonderful Bees performance

Overnight Stay Factor:
Ah now we are cooking! The Derbyshire Peak District (only some 4 miles east of Chesterfield) is a beautiful part of this wonderful country of ours and the peace and tranquillity of this area should be experienced. When we last met the Spireites Mrs Reckless and I took a weekend break in Bakewell staying at the Rutland Hotel. It sounded too obvious at the time but this was where the delicious Bakewell Pudding - now Bakewell Tart was first invented. Mr Kipling has developed it into a sickly sweet multipack snack with a glace cherry on top but the real dish consists of a puff pasty shell housing Strawberry or Blackcurrant Jam and covered by a fondant of eggs, sugar, butter and almonds. It was served sitting in a lake of Almond flavoured custard - absolutely scrumptious. Overnight Stay factor 7/10.

Celebrity Watch:
The Rt. Hon. Baroness Barbara Castle MP was also born here as was Arsenal and Scotland goalkeeper Bob Wilson and actor John Hurt. If you are just looking for "fillers" for your autograph books then ex Blue Peter presenter Simon Groom can often be seen wearing his Spireites badge proudly along side his gold Blue Peter one