As Newport County prepare to take on Chesterfield in the Sky Bet League Two, we take a closer look at the Spireites.
Chesterfield’s Story
Founded in 1867, Chesterfield turned professional in 1891 under the name Chesterfield Town. They entered the FA Cup the following year and joined the Midland League in 1896–97. In 1899, the club earned a place in the Football League Second Division, but after a decade of challenges, they failed to secure re-election in 1909 and returned to the Midland League.
Reformed as Chesterfield Municipal in 1919, the club quickly found success, winning the Midland League title in 1920. Renamed simply Chesterfield later that year, they became founder members of the Third Division North in 1921. A divisional title followed in 1931, though the years ahead brought inconsistency and several relegations.
Among their standout achievements are winning the Fourth Division title in 1969–70, lifting the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1980, securing promotion to the Third Division through the play-offs in 1995, and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals in 1997. More recently, they captured the League Two title in 2013–14 but then suffered back-to-back relegations that saw them drop out of the English Football League in 2018. Their fortunes revived last season, however, as they returned to League Two by winning the National League title.
Chesterfield’s history is shaped by iconic figures such as Dave Blakey, the club’s record appearance holder, and Ernie Moss, their all-time leading goalscorer. The club also maintains fierce local rivalries, most notably with Mansfield Town.
The Head Coach
Paul Cook is the current manager of Chesterfield FC. Born in Kirkby, he began his playing career in 1983 with Marine, though he did not make a senior appearance. Over the course of a 23-year career as a central midfielder, Cook represented several clubs, including Coventry City in the Premier League, as well as Wigan Athletic, Norwich City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tranmere Rovers, Stockport County, and Burnley.
Cook stepped into management in 2006 with Southport before moving to Ireland to take charge of Sligo Rovers in 2007. He returned to English football in 2012 with Accrington Stanley, and later that year joined Chesterfield, where he guided the Spireites to the League Two title in 2013–14.
In May 2015, he became manager of Portsmouth, leading them to the League Two championship in 2016–17. The following season, he took over at Wigan Athletic, winning the League One title and promotion to the Championship at the first attempt. Despite keeping Wigan competitive at that level, the club’s financial troubles and subsequent administration led to relegation in 2019–20, after which Cook resigned.
Following a short break, he was appointed manager of Ipswich Town in March 2021, though his tenure lasted less than a year. In February 2022, Cook returned to Chesterfield, where he restored the club’s fortunes and led them back into the Football League by winning the National League title in 2023–24.
The Captain
Jamie Grimes is the current captain of Chesterfield FC, having joined the club in June 2021 following an impressive season at Hereford, where he helped guide the team to the FA Trophy final.
Grimes began his professional career in July 2017 with Cheltenham Town, signing from Dover Athletic and making his EFL debut against Morecambe on August 5 that year. After leaving Cheltenham in 2018, he spent a season with Macclesfield Town, a turbulent spell marked by financial struggles and unpaid wages. He later returned to Kent with Ebbsfleet United, where he played for one campaign before their relegation in 2020.
In August 2020, Grimes signed for Hereford, playing a key role in their run to the FA Trophy final, though they were beaten by Hornchurch. His performances caught Chesterfield’s eye, and since arriving at the Technique Stadium, he has established himself as a commanding presence at the heart of the defence.
Appointed club captain, Grimes played a pivotal role in Chesterfield’s promotion back to the Football League in 2023–24, famously scoring a decisive brace in a 3–0 victory over Boreham Wood on March 23, 2024, which sealed the title.
Key Player
Will Grigg, a Northern Ireland international striker, began his football journey at Birmingham City, joining their youth setup at the age of seven. In 2008 he moved to Walsall, where he made his senior breakthrough. His standout 2012–13 campaign, in which he scored 20 goals and was named the club’s Player of the Season, earned him a move to Brentford in 2013 after 109 appearances and 28 goals for the Saddlers.
His time at Brentford was disrupted by injuries, and he managed just four goals in 36 appearances. A loan move to MK Dons in 2014 revitalised his career, with Grigg netting 22 goals in 50 matches to help secure promotion to the Championship.
In 2015, he joined Wigan Athletic for around £1 million and enjoyed a prolific spell, scoring 25 goals in 2015–16 as the Latics won promotion. Grigg also gained FA Cup fame by scoring the winning goal in Wigan’s shock victory over Manchester City.
His form earned him a £3 million transfer to Sunderland in January 2019, a record fee for the club at the time. However, Grigg struggled to replicate his Wigan form on Wearside, scoring just once in the 2019–20 season. A return to MK Dons on loan in 2021 reignited his scoring touch, highlighted by a four-goal haul against Swindon Town. He later spent time on loan at Rotherham United before rejoining MK Dons permanently in July 2022, where he scored seven goals in 48 appearances.
In June 2023, Grigg signed for Chesterfield, reuniting with former Wigan boss Paul Cook. His experience and goalscoring instincts proved vital as the Spireites secured promotion back to the Football League in 2023–24.
On the international stage, Grigg has represented Northern Ireland at youth levels and made his senior debut in 2012. He was part of the squad for Euro 2016, where the now-famous “Will Grigg’s on Fire” chant cemented his cult hero status among fans.
