The charitable would call it "character". There are less charitable descriptions for Saltergate as well..... now replaced by the B2Net Stadium

As new boys we should probably be more respectful, and there are long-standing League clubs who've done less, but the self-protectionist racket the Football League increasingly became makes us, we will cheerfully admit, somewhat bitter / envious. Throughout their time in the FL Chesterfield have tended to the top end of the bottom division (under whatever terminology) for long periods, with briefer spells towards the lower end of the next division up. To be fair to them they never had to apply for re-election during this second spell in the League.

Younger football fans will probably know the club for two things. Firstly the fairy tale. In 1996-97 they got to the semi-finals of the F.A. Cup, and but for an atrocious bit of officiating would have beaten Middlesbrough and made the Final. Boro survived through extra time, and then comfortably won the replay. Secondly the disgrace. In 1999-2000 they were relegated bottom of Division Two. Their turn around seemed spectacular, as the following season they were challenging for the title. However their relatively new owner was cheating financially, to such an extent there was a serious groundswell of opinion and moves at the AGM to expel the club from the Football League completely. In the end they got a nine point deduction and £55,000 in fines and costs.

The Main Stand at Saltergate - looks a bit better from the inside than the outside.

Since then Chesterfield has been recovering from the debacle of that period, as they try to rebuild their finances honestly. They've tended to wobble between third tier and fourth tier football - too good for League Two, but with a tendency to struggle at League One level. They were relegated to the fourth tier in 2007, but in 2011 have found their way back up again. In between that time out of League One, they've moved out of Saltergate, moving into a 10,600 capacity purpose-built 'community stadium' that cost £13,000,000, opening in the summer of 2010. Thus although we've played Chesterfield before, this will be a new ground for more or less all Yeovil Town supporters.

The home end at Saltergate.

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RECENT RESULTS

31/12/2011	Scunthorpe United	Away	NPL1	D	2-2	4456		Boden 48, Westcarr 70
02/01/2012	Oldham Athletic	Home	NPL1	D	1-1	6723		Bowery 34
07/01/2012	Exeter City	Home	NPL1	L	0-2	5856
14/01/2012	Leyton Orient	Away	NPL1	D	1-1	4174		Juan 69
21/01/2012	Colchester United	Away	NPL1	W	2-1	3312		Lester 6, Thompson 44
27/01/2012	AFC Bournemouth	Home	NPL1	W	1-0	6958		Ridehalgh 55

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

CLUB GOALSCORERS

Name	LGE	FAC	FAT	LGC	CC	Total
Leon Clarke	9	0	0	0	0	9
Craig Westcarr	6	0	0	0	0	6
Jordan Bowery	3	0	0	0	0	3
Jack Lester	3	0	0	0	0	3
Scott Boden	3	0	0	0	0	3
Dean Morgan	2	0	0	0	0	2
Danny Whitaker	2	0	0	0	0	2
Liam Ridehalgh	1	0	0	0	0	1
Dean Holden	1	0	0	0	0	1
Noel Alexandre Mendy	1	0	0	0	0	1
Jimmy Juan	1	0	0	0	0	1
Josh Thompson	1	0	0	0	0	1

ATTENDANCE STATISTICS

Highest League Attendance: 9259, vs Sheffield United, 26/11/2011
Lowest League Attendance: 5727, vs Bury, 13/09/2011
Average League Attendance: 6600

CURRENT LEAGUE SEQUENCE STATISTICS

Games Without A Win:	0		Games Without A Home Win:	0
Games Without An Away Win:	0		Games Without Defeat:	3
Games Without A Home Defeat:	1		Games Without An Away Defeat:	3
Games Without A Draw:	2		Games Without A Score Draw:	2
Games Without A No-Score Draw:	22		Games Without Scoring:	0
Games Without Conceding:	1		Home Results Sequence:	DLDDLW
Away Results Sequence:	LLLDDW		Overall Results Sequence:	DDLDWW

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Chesterfield has a spire. It's crooked.

From The North:
At Junction 30 exit towards Barlborough (also signposted Chesterfield). Approaching Barlborough there's a roundabout. Take the last exit, which is signposted Staveley and Chesterfield, onto the A619. You cross back over the M1. This is a slow old A road through small villages and general built up areas nearly all the way along. Don't be tempted to break the limit - there are loads of speed cameras all the way.

In Staveley there's the Speedwell Arms, a brew-pub (mentioned further down), on your right if you fancy a stop.

In Brimington follow the A619 round the large island. Keep in the left-hand lane and following signs to Chesterfield. At the bottom of Brimington Hill you'll see a Sainsburys. At the Sainsburys roundabout keep in the left-hand lane and follow the A619 towards Tesco. At the Tesco roundabout take the 3rd exit.

You have now joined up with the same route as your southern based fellow fans. Go past the Gordon Lamb garage on the left, with the Donkey Derby on the right. At the next roundabout take the 3rd exit and drive along the B6057 Sheffield Road. You should be able to see the ground on your left just past the Tesco entrance.

Parking

Like Southampton, Colchester and Swansea, this is one of these new stadiums where you'd swear there was a nuclear reactor at the centre of it, such are the efforts to try to keep traffic away from it. Chesterfield state that: "Car parking at the B2net Stadium is by permit only and operation is controlled by a Traffic Management Plan approved by a Safety Advisory Group, comprising safety experts, the police and yadda yadda yadda ... you get the picture".

Thankfully you are sort of walking distance from the town centre, so this isn't the worst of them all. Advice is that the Tesco car park is patrolled on matchdays so don't be tempted to drop the car in there unless you're prepared to take your chances. There is some limited early parking along the side streets that join Sheffield Road. Obviously the nearer you get to kick-off, the further you'll expect to walk once you've found a space.

One thing to note if you do get a spot in the official club car park, which we would imagine applies only to officials and disabled supporters, that they do not allow traffic to enter or exit the car park 30 minutes before and after the games. Coaches and pedestrians will be the only things that move in those car parks.

By Supporters Coaches

The Green and White Supporters Club are running coaches to the match for this 2011-12 season fixture as follows:

Coaches will depart from from Yeovil Bus Station at 7.30a.m. and from Huish Park at 7.45a.m. Cost of travel will be £25.00 with concessions available at £23.00. Non-GWSC members are welcomed and will pay two pounds extra.

To place your booking, call Paul Hadlow on 07736 044570 or Rich Rendell on 01935 427072 (Evenings). You can also contact the GWSC office at Huish Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10.30am and 1.30pm on 01935-847879. An answer machine service is also available on this number.

The Cross Street End, open terrace for the away fans at Saltergate.

By Rail

There are a number of routes one can take for this one, using either Yeovil Junction or Yeovil Pen Mill, but in terms of fewest changes and quickest journey time one option is by far the best. The 07.30 train out of Pen Mill gets you into Bristol Temple Meads at 09.05. From there take the 09.30 service direct to Chesterfield, arriving 12.02. Other alternatives involve leaving from Yeovil Junction and going via Salisbury or Basingstoke before you head up towards Bristol or Birmingham respectively, but that guarantees at least one more train.

On the return, note that you only have the 18.06 and 19.06 that will get you home on the day. Both land you back home at Yeovil Junction via a couple of changes, just before and just after midnight.

For those going from the South-East, London St Pancras is your station. East Midlands Trains run direct services to Chesterfield at 25 and 55 past the hour. Journey time is 2 hours plus or minus ten minutes. The direct returns to St Pancras depart Chesterfield at 39 minutes past the hour until 19.39hrs when you're into the territory of needing changes.

It's just under two miles from the railway station to the ground. Follow the footpath that leads past the Chesterfield Hotel and up Brewery Street over the dual carriageway. Turn right down the steps and proceed along Infirmary Road past Chesterfield College and straight ahead along Canal Wharf. Where this joins Hazlehurst Lane bear right onto a new footbpath which runs alongside the dual carriageway. Proceed until the footpath runs along the boundary of the Casa Hotel to emerge at Lockoford Lane From here you should be able to see the B2net Stadium and so the rest is straight-forward.

Hmm, what a very nice stand: Compton Street at Saltergate.

By Bus

For those who don't fancy the 30 minute walk from the town centre to the ground, there are a number of bus services operating that head in that direction. However, there is also a football shuttle service that leaves roughly every 10 minutes between the centre of the town to the stadium. Designated stops are: Goldwell Hill Car Park, Ashgate Road, Saltergate (Chesterfield's old ground), Rose Hill, Donut (Holywell Cross) Car Park, Sheffield Road, Lockoford Lane, Tesco Slip Road, B2net Stadium. If you're coming from the railway station, then the nearest stop is probably the Holywell Cross Car Park, known by the locals as the Donut Car Park. This is situated close to the foot of the Saltergate road in the town centre.

Taxis

If you feel you are likely to need a taxi in Chesterfield a selection of companies can be found here.

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The Saltergate Social Club

Local Pubs :

With a population of around 100,000 Chesterfield has over 100 pubs and bars, which is a very good ratio. The ground is only five minutes from the town centre which has all the usual fast food outlets.

As well as those pubs selected below for more detailed descriptions, around the centre you'll also find a Yates' Wine Lodge, the Slug & Fiddle, The Blue Bell, Barkers, Carters, Bar 69, Ritters, Chandlers, The Golden Fleece, the family orientated Barrow Boy, The Barking Badger, which is about the first you'll see if arriving by train, and plenty more.

Then there are the hostelries along Saltergate itself : the Gardeners Arms, Local Heros, Barley Mow (detailed below), and the County Hotel, which serves good food.

The third area is the "Brampton Mile", which runs along Chatsworth Road towards the suburb of Brampton. We've detailed three below: the Royal Oak, and the Peacock and Victoria Inn which are further out. But along this stretch there's also The Star, The Britannia, Rose and Crown, Brampton Ale House, The Brampton Mile, Red Lion, New Inn, The Alma, The Barrel, The Anchor, amd that probably doesn't exhaust the list.

If you can't find a pub you like around Chesterfield you're not trying.

The most local beer comes from Townes Brewery in Staveley, four miles North-East of Chesterfield. It's a brew-pub and principly supplies itself - the Speedwell Inn - but around forty other oulets in the region take its production on an occasional basis. Whim Ales, from Hartington on the western edge of Derbyshire, appear in number of pubs in Chesterfield, and with the South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire borders close by beers from those counties sometimes show up.

Barley Mow - Close to the old Saltergate ground © Martin Baker Barley Mow: Not to be confused with another Barley Mow much further away in Langer Lane. This one is on Saltergate, close to the old ground. Has Marston's Pedigree and John Smith's Bitter. Serves good food. Before the Spireites moved grounds the barmaids would scantily dress in Chesterfield colours for those heading to the game. We don't know if they're still doing this - if they are it's doubtless in a far quieter environment. Barley Mow, 52, Saltergate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1JR. Tel: 01246 232792. Map: Click Here.

Derby Tup: Now Chesterfield are up on the north side of the town, this is one of the closest pubs to the stadium. That's good cos we really do like pubs in the tiny Tynemill chain. We've been in ones in Boston, Nottingham and York and they've all been excellent. Regular beers are the likes of Castle Rock Harvest Pale and Screech Owl, plus Taylor Landlord. There are usually four or five more occasional guest ales, plus a traditional cider, most commonly Biddenden Dry or Pheasant Plucker Dry - all in all up to 10 pumps on at any given time and the majority from local brewers. What more could you want? Well there's Hoegaarden Wit, a traditional Belgian wheat beer, Stella Artois and Heineken Lager, Murphy's Stout on tap and a range of continental bottled beers. Food is available lunchtimes from noon to 2.30 p.m. Wheelchair friendly. Opening times are : Monday - Thursday 12.00 noon - 3.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m.; Friday - Saturday 12.00 noon - midnight; Sunday noon - 11.00 p.m. Although there seems to be flexibility at some venues in the main Tynemill pubs have a no children policy. Welcomes football fans. Derby Tup, 387, Sheffield Road, Whittington Moor, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 8LS. Tel: 01246 454316. Map: Click Here.

Portland Hotel: A better than average Wetherspoon (one of two in the town), in their J D Wetherspoon Lodge guise, just south of Saltergate. Has parking and a child certificate. Opening is 9.00 a.m. – midnight Sunday - Thursday, 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 a.m. Friday - Saturday. Marston's Burton Bitter and Pedigree, Greene King Abbot and Theakston Best Bitter are the less than exciting regulars but it makes more effort than many Wetherspoon outlets with its guests, offering a wide range including frequently those from the Wentworth Brewery. Portland Hotel, West Bars, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1AY. Tel: 01246 245410. Map: Click Here.

Red Lion: One of two pubs close to the new Chesterfield stadium that has the CAMRA rubberstamp of approval. This is the only fixed outlet in the town for the Old Mill brewery and thus is worth a visit for that - serving their Mild, Best and Bullion brews as well as other choices. No food. Opening hours are noon until 11.00p.m. except Sundays when they shut half an hour earlier. Red Lion, 570 Sheffield Road, Whittington Moor, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 8LX. Tel: 01246 450770. Map: Click Here.

Royal Oak: In the market area of the town (access by walkway from Market Place). Two rooms on different levels and with different entrances, but served by a single central bar. Up to six real ales on, with Deuchars IPA, Greene King Abbot and Stones Bitter as the regulars. Food is lunchtimes. Only opens evenings on Monday and Tuesday (7.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m.) but is 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. the rest of the week, except Sunday, when it is only open from 11.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m. Royal Oak, 1, The Shambles, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1PX. Tel: 01246 237700. Map: Click Here.

Good all round pub © Hugh Gleave Rutland Arms: In the town centre, just off the eastern end of Saltergate and adjacent to the crooked spire itself. Opening is 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. (12 noon - 10.30 on Sundays), with a wide range of reasonably priced food served from 12.00 noon - 7.00 p.m. every day. Beers are two or three from the excellent Deuchars IPA, the equally excellent Taylor Landlord, Greene King Abbot and Badger Best. There are guests and regular mini beer festivals. Weston's Old Rosie cider is usually available. There's darts available as well. Children welcome. Rutland Arms, 23, Stephenson Place, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1XL. Tel: 01246 205857. Map: Click Here.

Spa Lane Vaults: Second J D Wetherspoon in town, slightly closer to the railway station than the Portland Hotel (above). Has a child certificate. Also an outside area. Opening is 9.00 a.m. – midnight Sunday - Thursday, 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 a.m. Friday - Saturday. No parking. Spa Lane Vaults, 34, St Mary’s Gate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 7TH. Tel: 01246 246300. Map: Click Here.

The Market: Less than ten minutes stroll from the railway station, this is a busy town centre tavern with a 'local' feel. Although a chain outlet with Greene King Abbot, Marston's Pedigree, Taylor Landlord and Tetley as the house beers the owning Pubco offers its landlords a couple of dozen guests a month, and this one likes to offer as many as possible - with up to five on at a time. Food lunchtimes only. Opening 11 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. (7.30 p.m. - 10.30 p.m. Sunday). Can get very busy at the weekend. The Market, 95, New Square, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1AH. Tel: 01246 273641. Map: Click Here.

Travellers Rest: One of three pubs recommended to away supporters around Chesterfield's new stadium, and probably the one we know least about. Has TV screens and pool tables. Opening hours Mon-Fri 11:00a.m. - 11:00 p.m. On Saturdays they close an hour later. On Sundays they open an hour later. Some reports that they do food, but we know not when and what. Travellers Rest, 425 Sheffield Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 8LT. Tel: 01246 450741. Map: Click Here.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

Not a clue. Derbyshire is just a county you go through. The Peak District is nice and worth stopping in, but that's to the west of the county. O.K. East Derbyshire is just a place you go through. Chesterfield is in the east of Derbyshire.

Top-Tip :

There's a spire. It's crooked. It'll still be crooked even when you sober up.

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[No responsibilty is taken for any inaccuracies. This page is entirely the product of bias and prejudice.]

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