Some years ago I went to a match at Chesterfield’s Saltergate stadium which had a capacity of just 8,504. It was an evocative atmosphere and the small group of away fans at one end of a stand were seated on what looked like wooden benches. Now the Spireites have played their last game there. Their wealthy new owner who is in the Sunday Times rich list has brought to completion a long-term plan to move to a new 10,000 capacity stadium.
Some years ago I went to a match at Chesterfield’s Saltergate stadium which had a capacity of just 8,504. It was an evocative atmosphere and the small group of away fans at one end of a stand were seated on what looked like wooden benches. Now the Spireites have played their last game there. Their wealthy new owner who is in the Sunday Times rich list has brought to completion a long-term plan to move to a new 10,000 capacity stadium.
Such moves do not always work out well for clubs, Darlington being a case in point. Chesterfield’s new b2net stadium certainly looks impressive in photographs, but will 3,500 or 4,000 fans rattle around in it, losing the intensity that could be generated at Saltergate where fans were so close to the pitch. Talking to football magazine 4-4-2, defender Robert Page insisted, ‘A new stadium will attract the floating voter and also the younger generation, who are the future of the club.’ No moaning from flat cap wearers, please.
Page commented, ‘All modern stadiums now are attractive to look at, with food and shopping complexes around them, and this is no different. The husband and kids can go and watch Chesterfield play, the wife can do her shopping, and then they can meet afterwards for a bite to eat.’ Sexism is clearly alive and well in North Derbyshire. Why not persuade the womenfolk to come to the match as well and boost gates? Also, the problem with modern stadiums is that they can all look the same, although this one does look a more attractive design than most to judge from the photographs.
However, it’s not all luxury at Chesterfield. Page revealed, ‘We wash our own kit and there is no food after training. We have a council pitch that we rent, but we’re not alone in this in League Two.’
See an amazing pitch invasion featuring a fan in a wheelchair after the last goal was scored at Saltergate. Real football magic!