I have always had a bit of a soft
spot for the town of Chesterfield.
Back in the mid-1980s I was working out of the East Midlands, and living in the beautiful Nottinghamshire market town of Southwell. Our son was just coming up to school age, and he loved walking in, the not so far away, Peak District.
And as the hospitality business claws its way back to pre-Covid trading, it’s hard to believe, but 35 years ago finding somewhere to have a proper drink with food, when accompanied by a four-year-old child, was pretty difficult.
Family satisfaction was secured, when by chance we came across the Monsal Head Hotel, located high above the sequestered beauty of Monsal Dale – for a couple of years, and before we moved back to London, the drive into the hills was always rewarded with a pint and Sunday roast.
Travelling into the Peaks from Southwell took us through the miners’ strikes world of Nottinghamshire.
Communities torn apart following the establishment of the Democratic Union of Mineworkers in December 1985, with its headquarters in Mansfield. Social pain felt so acutely across the border, where the South Derbyshire area of the National Union of Mineworkers voted in favour of the breakaway by 51%.
With just a brief glimpse of Bolsover, to our right, and with thoughts turning to Dennis Skinner MP’s comfort, when surrounded by such a sea of despair, we approached Chesterfield. No more than a crooked church spire, that always made our son laugh and a big sign telling us how many people were unemployed in the town. Chesterfield, a world apart from our own, but it was the gateway to the Peaks.
The much-awaited start to the 2021/22 National League season saw Chesterfield booked to turn up at the Recreation Ground for the opening fixture. A big club that has seen such a decline in status over recent years, despite their development of one of the better ‘new grounds.’
I think it is also true to say that the Spireites have never been on my list of clubs to dislike. They certainly don’t sit alongside Reading or Brentford or Southend or Crystal Palace - what an odd list to have, as we look forward to playing at Borehamwood on the 28th!
No, the club is pretty much ok. Afterall, Chesterfield was Gordon Banks' first club…he joined them in March 1953, just a month after I was born. He was simply great.
And the Recreation Ground, on Saltergate, was the last Football League ground to host a floodlit game - in 1967. The lovely old ground having hosted football since 1871. Through my eyes it was certainly a bit sad when the bulldozers moved in to take away so many memories. It was a ground like our own. History dripping from the leaking gutters with every passing shower.
Legend has it that the proceeds from the sale of John Osborne, another excellent keeper, to WBA for £10,000, paid for the installation of the floodlights.
As I sit back and reflect, I have to ask myself, ‘was I really looking forward to the match last Saturday, or was it simply a step towards normal living that excited me?’
The long drive down to the Rec from Exmoor was as normal; I set off with my wife’s sagacious words ringing in my ears, hanging around in my head probably until I got to Andover, where the stop-start flow softened, ‘you are mad, the traffic will be terrible’….it was. But by 1215hrs I was comfortable in the sanctuary of the Golden Lion, an adequate substitute for the lost La Fontaine, our ‘home’ for so many years. The pre-match medication was as always, effective - a few pints and meeting up with family and friends, simply a pleasure after such a long time.
As for the game….
I’m pretty sure the crowd of 2393, with more than 600 fans visiting Hampshire from Derbyshire, enjoyed the re-introduction of life, as we once knew it. The atmosphere was great – something I really can’t foresee if the talked about plans to build a new ground ever materialise.
Pleasingly we played with energy and purpose throughout the first half, but troubling their keeper was clearly not within our ability. In the second half, Chesterfield were stronger, and undoubtedly much better than what now looked like a very tired Aldershot team.
Despite conceding the first goal, in the 2v0 defeat, to a penalty won by an actor, after 90 mins Chesterfield ran out worthy winners of the encounter.
And finally ….
James Rowe, former Aldershot assistant manager and now Chesterfield manager, displayed behaviour at a point in the second half, that served only to confirm that West Ham United were undoubtedly right in 2015.
John Osborne didn’t just play in goal for Chesterfield -‘Look back in anger’.
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