[Security66]

Westbars Spireite, on 26 April 2018 - 04:03 PM, said:

The only other time I went to Wrexham it was absolutely scorching hot and it finished 0-0. First game of the season I think, the one we didn't win till about November. 2003 without checking?

Was that Evo’s debut for us?

[Westbars Spireite]

Security66, on 26 April 2018 - 04:12 PM, said:

Was that Evo’s debut for us?

Looking back I was right about the year and yes it was Evatt’s debut.

[Wooden Spoon]

azul said:

1524750152[/url]' post='1385824']
It just goes to show not many agree with 'Lindave'

I looked at Wrexham as our peers for many years and always thought, there for the grace of god goes us. Well his grace ran out but here's hoping we don't spend a decade or more in non league

were in no position to be giving it the billy big bow locks to anybody right now.

[martatcross]

Remember in the murky past of football hoolies at Wrexham, two guys getting off our bus for a ruck. The driver decided he wasn't waiting and drove off without them. We thought it was hilarious when we got back to Saltergate and they were there to give the driver a rocket.

This post has been edited by martatcross: 26 April 2018 - 04:35 PM

[Geordieblue]

Westbars Spireite, on 26 April 2018 - 04:03 PM, said:

The only other time I went to Wrexham it was absolutely scorching hot and it finished 0-0. First game of the season I think, the one we didn't win till about November. 2003 without checking?

Complete opposite to me then. Only been there once, was sat down and it was so cold by half time I couldn't move my knees. Stiff knees from then on were called 'Wrexham knees' by me and the ex. Can't remember the result.

[Orient fan in peace]

Hi - registered here on Saturday evening but have only just been accepted. Since then, the OP has started a thread similar to what I intended. Sadly, it's a fairly accurate description of life outside the FL.

Both Chesterfield and Orient seem to have gone down in similar circumstances (off-field lunacy coupled with an under-equipped squad and inexperienced management). Initially, we were just relieved to have a semi-functioning club after the loathsome Franceso Becchetti finally buggered off and most O's fans went into the season thinking we'd sail along somewhere in the top / middle positions and maybe end up enjoying some play-off frivolities at the end of the season...... what could possibly go wrong?

Well frankly more of less everything until mid-march when we strung together a few results but for most of it, we looked like getting dragged into a 3rd relegation in 4 years. To be honest, the standard of football excepting a few sides is B****Y awful. Add to that, the refereeing is abysmal and short of knee-capping an opponent, it seems impossible to be sent off. Most teams are massively physical and are prepared to smash the ball about anywhere. We were this season's big scalp for sides like Solihull, Bromley, Borehamwood and a few others who did a complete number on us home and away. Losing 6-1 to Bromley early on in the season was a big warning sign that we had a lot to learn about playing in this league.

Be prepared for places like Solihull where you'll find yourself standing on a tiny terrace wondering what the **** you're doing watching football in what appears to be a place untouched since 1975 - oh an Eastleigh's ground is in the middle of nowhere with what looks to be a small office building backing onto the terrace. FA Cup 4th round qualification can send you anywhere you've never heard of and the FA trophy, which saw us visit luminaries such as Haringey Borough and Bognor Regis Town is best ignored unless you get to the very late stages.

However, like many other ex-league teams, you will slowly adapt to this backwater existence. BT Sport coverage is better than Sky (even though you have to put up with games being moved to as like us, you'll be next season's big attraction) and most away grounds have been quite pleased to accommodate a decent sized away following - Bromley excepted who for some reason seemed surprised to see over 1500 Orient turn up at a ground only 10 miles from Leyton.

Anyway - genuine best wishes for next season and hope things turn around for you Spireites.

[Westbars Spireite]

Cheers fella. We need to stick together. Obviously I’d like us to get back immediately but failing that I’d like to see yourselves, Tranmere & Wrexham get back where they belong.

[spireitetoo]

Orient fan in peace, on 26 April 2018 - 05:48 PM, said:

Hi - registered here on Saturday evening but have only just been accepted. Since then, the OP has started a thread similar to what I intended. Sadly, it's a fairly accurate description of life outside the FL.

Both Chesterfield and Orient seem to have gone down in similar circumstances (off-field lunacy coupled with an under-equipped squad and inexperienced management). Initially, we were just relieved to have a semi-functioning club after the loathsome Franceso Becchetti finally buggered off and most O's fans went into the season thinking we'd sail along somewhere in the top / middle positions and maybe end up enjoying some play-off frivolities at the end of the season...... what could possibly go wrong?

Well frankly more of less everything until mid-march when we strung together a few results but for most of it, we looked like getting dragged into a 3rd relegation in 4 years. To be honest, the standard of football excepting a few sides is B****Y awful. Add to that, the refereeing is abysmal and short of knee-capping an opponent, it seems impossible to be sent off. Most teams are massively physical and are prepared to smash the ball about anywhere. We were this season's big scalp for sides like Solihull, Bromley, Borehamwood and a few others who did a complete number on us home and away. Losing 6-1 to Bromley early on in the season was a big warning sign that we had a lot to learn about playing in this league.

Be prepared for places like Solihull where you'll find yourself standing on a tiny terrace wondering what the **** you're doing watching football in what appears to be a place untouched since 1975 - oh an Eastleigh's ground is in the middle of nowhere with what looks to be a small office building backing onto the terrace. FA Cup 4th round qualification can send you anywhere you've never heard of and the FA trophy, which saw us visit luminaries such as Haringey Borough and Bognor Regis Town is best ignored unless you get to the very late stages.

However, like many other ex-league teams, you will slowly adapt to this backwater existence. BT Sport coverage is better than Sky (even though you have to put up with games being moved to as like us, you'll be next season's big attraction) and most away grounds have been quite pleased to accommodate a decent sized away following - Bromley excepted who for some reason seemed surprised to see over 1500 Orient turn up at a ground only 10 miles from Leyton.

Anyway - genuine best wishes for next season and hope things turn around for you Spireites.

You do have an advantage when visiting away grounds, about 70% are with 50 miles of you, our nearest games will be about 50 miles away, not looking forward to the next few yrs, hopefully both our stays in this hell hole are short.

[lindave]

RubyRed, on 25 April 2018 - 08:40 PM, said:

Really? Remind me the highest level Chesterfield have ever played if you would.

Sorry, it was just a flippant remark, I'm so gutted at what's happened to my club and can't bare the thought of a long life in the National league. We'll still be there at every home and away game whatever happens. Always loved coming to the Racecourse and there will be a few more familiar grounds to revisit from the past. We've had some good battles on the pitch over 50 odd yrs supporting Town, one of the best apart from the cup, was when Tom Fennoughty hit a 30 yard rocket to give us a 2-1 win one floodlit night in 69/70 when we finished up Champions.
I can't believe how long its took you to get out of the league from hell, with the crowds you get and the players you have had.

This post has been edited by lindave: 26 April 2018 - 06:37 PM

[Valley Blues]

I visited the Racecourse ground a couple of times back in the 90's.

A stand out game in my memory of following town was an FA cup fixture. We lost 3-2 with a brace from Kevin Davies I believe.

I'm sure we were 2 down but came back to 2-2 only to lose it 3-2.

Not sure of the year but I'm guessing 95/96 ish.

[whittman]

Orient fan in peace, on 26 April 2018 - 05:48 PM, said:

Hi - registered here on Saturday evening but have only just been accepted. Since then, the OP has started a thread similar to what I intended. Sadly, it's a fairly accurate description of life outside the FL.

Both Chesterfield and Orient seem to have gone down in similar circumstances (off-field lunacy coupled with an under-equipped squad and inexperienced management). Initially, we were just relieved to have a semi-functioning club after the loathsome Franceso Becchetti finally buggered off and most O's fans went into the season thinking we'd sail along somewhere in the top / middle positions and maybe end up enjoying some play-off frivolities at the end of the season...... what could possibly go wrong?

Well frankly more of less everything until mid-march when we strung together a few results but for most of it, we looked like getting dragged into a 3rd relegation in 4 years. To be honest, the standard of football excepting a few sides is B****Y awful. Add to that, the refereeing is abysmal and short of knee-capping an opponent, it seems impossible to be sent off. Most teams are massively physical and are prepared to smash the ball about anywhere. We were this season's big scalp for sides like Solihull, Bromley, Borehamwood and a few others who did a complete number on us home and away. Losing 6-1 to Bromley early on in the season was a big warning sign that we had a lot to learn about playing in this league.

Be prepared for places like Solihull where you'll find yourself standing on a tiny terrace wondering what the **** you're doing watching football in what appears to be a place untouched since 1975 - oh an Eastleigh's ground is in the middle of nowhere with what looks to be a small office building backing onto the terrace. FA Cup 4th round qualification can send you anywhere you've never heard of and the FA trophy, which saw us visit luminaries such as Haringey Borough and Bognor Regis Town is best ignored unless you get to the very late stages.

However, like many other ex-league teams, you will slowly adapt to this backwater existence. BT Sport coverage is better than Sky (even though you have to put up with games being moved to as like us, you'll be next season's big attraction) and most away grounds have been quite pleased to accommodate a decent sized away following - Bromley excepted who for some reason seemed surprised to see over 1500 Orient turn up at a ground only 10 miles from Leyton.

Anyway - genuine best wishes for next season and hope things turn around for you Spireites.

And dont we have a common denominator in our relegation seasons to non league?

Nameley Robbie Weir not that I am blaming him for our demise this season that is most certainly higher up the club pecking order and has its base 12 miles to the north of us

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

I'm sensing a former football league solidarity, here.

[whittman]

lindave, on 26 April 2018 - 06:28 PM, said:

Sorry, it was just a flippant remark, I'm so gutted at what's happened to my club and can't bare the thought of a long life in the National league. We'll still be there at every home and away game whatever happens. Always loved coming to the Racecourse and there will be a few more familiar grounds to revisit from the past. We've had some good battles on the pitch over 50 odd yrs supporting Town, one of the best apart from the cup, was when Tom Fennoughty hit a 30 yard rocket to give us a 2-1 win one floodlit night in 69/70 when we finished up Champions.
I can't believe how long its took you to get out of the league from hell, with the crowds you get and the players you have had.

Dave it was 2-0 and the other goal was Ernies overhead kick at the kop end

16500 attendance

Happy days

[Johnnyspireite7]

RubyRed, on 25 April 2018 - 08:40 PM, said:

Really? Remind me the highest level Chesterfield have ever played if you would.

The old division 2 now Championship, me owd. Same as you.

[Bankrobber]

warfey is a spireite, on 26 April 2018 - 03:38 PM, said:

Yes was there forest winger scored

Not in that game he didn't!

[Vivo]

Westbars Spireite, on 26 April 2018 - 05:56 PM, said:

Cheers fella. We need to stick together. Obviously I’d like us to get back immediately but failing that I’d like to see yourselves, Tranmere & Wrexham get back where they belong.

I would like to second that one Westbars.

[Westbars Spireite]

MDCCCLXVI, on 26 April 2018 - 06:50 PM, said:

I'm sensing a former football league solidarity, here.

Officially it's a 'Brotherhood'.

I shared the membership card we were issued by existing members recently.

[lindave]

whittman, on 26 April 2018 - 06:55 PM, said:

Dave it was 2-0 and the other goal was Ernies overhead kick at the kop end

16500 attendance

Happy days

I can remember the big gate.

[SALTERGATE]

RubyRed, on 26 April 2018 - 01:04 PM, said:

We were founder members of the third division north the same year as yourselves. We were elected to join, again like yourselves.



What a game that 5-4 was.

Cracker that one, worth every penny of the entrance fee even though we lost

Remember I went to Wrexham to see Bomber play for Northern Ireland v Wales

[nattyfred]

The only time I've been to Wrexham I saw Jr. Walker & the all stars, Mac & Katie Kissoon, KC & the Sunshine band, Clem Curtis & the Foundations and a few others in what was probably one of the first Concerts on a football ground. It was somewhere around 1975 I think