2005/2006 Season Preview - CHESTERFIELD

Chesterfield: Derbyshire Stadium: Recreation Ground, Saltergate Nickname: The Spireites, The Blues. Hate: Moansfailed, Rotherham and the Sheffield Clubs. Last Meeting: 3rd Feb 1996 LD2 Chesterfield A L 2-3 Well, what can we tell you about Chesterfield that you don't already know? Well, quite a lot I would have thought. It's in Derbyshire. Their nickname is the Spireites, they're manager is Roy McFarland. They're pisspoor. They do have one redeeming feature though - they hate Mansfield. The one event that most fans will probably remember Chesterfield for is their remarkable run to the semi-final of the FA Cup in the 1996-97 season. And, in the absence of anything original to say, I'll give you all the ins and outs of the most famous game in that run. The semi final at Old Trafford against Middlesbrough was one of the most remarkable games in FA Cup history. Chesterfield, to the bemusement of everyone watching, went 1-0 up after 55 minutes. Rumours of Far East betting scams passed the lips of those watching in bars up and down the country as they added a second on the hour mark. Middlesbrough came back to make it 2-2 with goals from the 'Silver Fox' Ravanelli and Craig Hignett. The game went to extra time and Gianluca Festa gave 'Boro the lead but a last minute goal from Jamie Hewitt made the score 3-3 and for the millions watching on TV the excitement was literally bearable. The controversial moment came in the second half of extra time when a shot from Spireite Jonathan Howard appeared to cross the line, but neither the referee David Ellerey nor the linesman saw it and the goal did not stand. TV replays later showed that the ball had indeed crossed the line. The game ended in a draw and went to a replay at Hillsborough which 'Boro won 3-0. Never mind eh? The cup run also spawned another addition to the vast annul of heartfelt, but ultimately trash, football tribute songs: 'We Can Build Our Dreams', performed by the atrociously named band 'Kaught in the Akt' and the Chesterfield football team. The track was composed after the 5th round win against big neighbours Notts Forest. You can certainly build your dreams chaps, but don't forget that an FA official is usually waiting around the corner to crap all over them when you're at you most vulnerable. Since their promotion to the third tier in 2001, the club have spent their time hovering above the relegation places. Last season saw them finish in 17th place. The obligatory financial worries that plague lower division clubs have held back Chesterfield. Royalty monies gained from the Kaught In The Akt' collaboration have not been as great as budgeted for, and attendances are usually well below that of most of the teams competing at the top of the division. The club have sold a record 2,000+ season tickets this term, so things are looking a bit more rosy on that front, especially with a proposed new 10,000 seater stadium on the horizon. Shame about the team though… The signings of two new attackers in Paul Hall and Colin Larkin are a cause for optimism amongst the Spireites, but I wouldn't get too exited if I were them. McFarland hailed the two new recruits as "…further pieces in the jigsaw". What Roy fails to see is that this particular 46-piece jigsaw, when finished, will form the word RELEGATION. Expect another tough season for the Spireites. Their chances of making a fist of it in the coming season have been hit a blow by the sale of their captain Ian Evatt to QPR for £200,000. Having spent a few seasons at this level they are arguably well versed in what it takes to survive in this league, but hey, somebody's got to go down, and I say it's Chesterfield. One To Watch? Paul Hall. Entertaining Jamaican International, signed from Tranmere on a two-year deal. They will finish: 23rd.

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