Chesterfield

Normally a visit to Chesterfield wouldn't rank too highly in the list of desirable venues for Oxford supporters, but this season the Spireites will be moving to a spanking new stadium, imaginatively called the b2net stadium. Further information about the ground below.

Chesterfield was formed in 1919 as Chesterfield Municipal, out of the remains of Chesterfield Town, and changing its name to Chesterfield in 1920. The original Chesterfield was formed in 1867, but it folded in 1881. Another Chesterfield was formed three years later, changing its name to Chesterfield Town shortly afterwards. Between 1899 and 1909 Chesterfield Town competed in the Football League, but went into voluntary liquidation in 1915. Their original ground was called the Recreation Ground, on Saltergate, which had been used as a football ground since 1871. The side initially played in the Midland League, which they won in their first full season in 1920.

Chesterfield joined the Football League in 1921, entering the Third Division North in its first season. Ten years later the side won the divisional championship, but their stint in Division Two lasted just two seasons before they were relegated. In 1936 they were champions again, this time managing to remain in the second tier until 1951. Ten years after relegation the side went down again, to Division Four, and in 1963 they became the last League side to install floodlights.

In 1970 Chesterfield won the Fourth Division title, and they remained in Division Three until 1983, winning the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1982, but they soon returned when they won Division Four again in 1985. This time they lasted four years in the Third before yo-yoing back to the Fourth; they reached the play-offs the following season, losing 1-0 to Cambridge United in the first play-off final to be held at Wembley. In 1995 they rectified the situation by beating Bury 2-0 in the play-off final and two years later they reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup before a controversial exit to Middlesbrough. In 2000 they were relegated to the Fourth Division again, but a year later they won promotion again. In January 2002 Chesterfield became a supporters-run club and in 2007 they were relegated back to the Fourth Division. Last season they finished eighth, missing out on the play-offs by just two points.

The b2net stadium is built on the site of the former Dema glassworks at Whittington Moor on the A61 Sheffield Road. It has an all-seated capacity of 10,338 with away fans in the Printability Stand (honestly, that's what it's called) which is the north stand. Last season's prices at Saltergate were