Match Preview: AFC Fylde v Chesterfield(National League)12/08/23

Chesterfield FC History.

The Coasters return home for the 2023/24 season with their opening home game against Chesterfield FC. Chesterfield originally formed in 1867 are 121 years older than the Coasters. Chesterfield had many name changes in their early years as there was a lot of merging of clubs however this all settled down in 1920 when Chesterfield FC was decided to be the designated name playing at the legendary Saltergate ground. Between 1920 and 1980 the club became somewhat of a yoyo club bouncing around from division to division and never really settling. The Legendary goalkeeper Gordon Banks was sold on in his first season for a transfer record at the time of £7,000. However in the 1996-97 season, Chesterfield grabbed the nation's attention going on a mazy cup run all the way to the Semi-final only to lose to Middlesbrough in a replay. Things seemed to head downhill after that, in the 2000 season the club went 21 games without a win and the following season the club suffered a points deduction for financial irregularities. The 2000s followed a similar pattern to there previous years which meant bouncing around from division to division and eventually landing in league one in 2010-11 and 2014-15, however they didn't last in that division. In 2016 the club almost went into administration again however they was saved by Mike Warner, but it signalled bad times ahead.

The bad times soon arrived with the Spireites suffering consecutive relegations to non-league. In 2020, Chesterfield community trust bought the club and looked to make their way out of non league, however they almost got relegated but was saved by points per game. Since the pre-covid era Chesterfield are on the up with Paul Cook who will be looking to gain promotion with the club yet again. 

The Manager: Paul Cook.

Paul Cook is a man who could be described in many ways but vastly experienced would probably be the best way to do that. The Kirkby born midfielder certainly made his stamp on English football during his playing days making 643 appearances in the football league and non league. Cook enjoyed large spells at Wolves and Burnley where he became somewhat of a fans favourite, he also enjoyed spells at Wigan and Accrington Stanley where both clubs hold him in high regard as a player. Cook ended his career at Stanley and then moved into the managerial side of the game with Southport however he only lasted a season before getting sacked. Cook then made a move abroad to Ireland and to be more precise Sligo Rovers which could be seen as something of a career progression. Cook enjoyed some success during a 5 year stint at the club which included wins in the FAI cup and earning a place in the Europa League. However in 2012 he moved back to England to Saturday's opponents in Chesterfield. Narrowly missing out on the Playoffs in his first season in charge, Cook then guided the spireites to League One as champions in the 2013/14 season. In the clubs first season at League one, Cook managed to gain a playoff finish narrowly losing out to the eventual playoff winners Preston North End. However, following that successful season Cook was on the move as Portsmouth had managed to match his release clause. In his first season with Pompey he guided them to the league 2 title. Cook once again was on the move though this time back up north to Wigan Athletic who had paid his compensation package from Portsmouth. In his first season in charge of the Latics he guided them to the League one title and to the FA Cup quarter finals. Cook managed to keep the Latics in the championship until they suffered financial difficulties and eventually resigned in 2020. Cook then moved to Ipswich Town where he suffered a disappointing 9 month spell which resulted in him being sacked after poor results. This led to him returning home so to speak, back to Chesterfield where he enjoyed a playoff finish in his first season, In his second season he went one better before losing out to Notts County in the playoff final.

Key Players.

Armando Dobra- An absolute gem of a signing by Paul cook, the Albanian can be seen as one of the most exciting players in the national league. A beautiful goal in the playoff final last year shows his quality and proves he should be playing a couple of leagues higher. An exciting player with a bit of flair to get fans off their seats, Dobra will be crucial for Chesterfield this season.

Ryan Colclough- Another attacking option for the spireites who was another brilliant signing from Cook. An immediate starter at Altrincham, Colclough can play in multiple positions and certainly knows how to find the net as well as putting a ball into the box. Another option for Cook who is similar to Dobra, Colclough can also play through the middle and will be a handy tool if Chesterfield are going to make a champions push.

Will Grigg- Something of a coup for Chesterfield, Grigg links up with former boss Cook after being together at Wigan. The Northern Ireland international certainly knows where the goal is and could be the difference between getting over the line and not.  A wealth of EFL experience, defenders will be wary when coming up against Grigg who completes a formidable attack which in reality could be playing at the top end of League 2.

Previous meetings.

6th October 2018 

National League 

Chesterfield 0 vs 0 AFC Fylde

Attendance: 4021

The first encounter between the 2 clubs ended up in a point with nothing really exciting happening in the game. 

20th October 2018

FA Cup

AFC Fylde 1 vs 3 Chesterfield

Goalscorers: Fylde- Danny Rowe(12) Chesterfield- Will Evans (26) Tom Denton (35,70)

Attendance: 1092

The Coasters bowed out of the FA Cup after a disappointing display to the spireites with Tom Denton tormenting the Coasters defence as he has done for many clubs. However, the cup was not a priority for the Coasters in this season.

16th February 2019

National League 

AFC Fylde 0 vs 1 Chesterfield

Goalscorers- Marc Antoine Fortune (13)

Attendance: 2175

Another shock as the Coasters once again lose to Chesterfield. The Coasters pushing for promotion did not look like beating the away side and lacked the finishing touch which would prove costly at the end of the season. 

8th October 2019

AFC Fylde 1 vs 3 Chesterfield

Goalscorers: Fylde- Tyler Forbes(90+2) Chesterfield- Curtis Weston (55) Mike Fondop (66,81).

The downfall of both of these clubs as the away side came away with all 3 points in what was a bottom of the table clash. Fylde’s incompetence at the back allowed Chesterfield to gain a 3 goal lead with a consolation goal scored right at the end. 

25th January 2020

Chesterfield 1 vs AFC Fylde 1

Goalscorers: Chesterfield- Jonathan Smith (32) Fylde- Nick Haughton (76)

Attendance: 3262

A well earned point however should have been more for the coasters who dominated the hosts in this cold affair in Derbyshire. Jamie Proctor missed an open net which looked impossible to miss and Tom Walker tested the keeper on a numerous amount of occasion however couldn’t score more than one. 

Opposition form.

The Spireites came into this game after an opening day thriller against Dorking Wanderers which they managed to come out on top. Prior to that the Spireites tested themselves against Football league opposition in pre-season and gave a good account of themselves winning 3 times and narrowly losing out to both Sheffield clubs and Derby County, Chesterfield narrowly missed out on promotion last season losing on penalties to Notts County so this years aims will be automatics to avoid the heartbreak of the playoffs.

The last match for both teams.

The Coasters come into this game after coming from behind away at Maidenhead United to earn a point in a 2-2 draw, despite being reduced to 10 men. Headers from Nick Haughton and Alex Whitmore gave the Coasters a well deserved point. The away side kicked off their campaign with a thriller, a 4-3 win at home to Dorking Wanderers. With goals from Ryan Colclough, Liam Mandeville and Joe Quigley notching in injury time to give the Spireites an opening day victory. With both sides playing attacking football, goals should be in a high demand.