Ahead of Newport County’s clash with Chesterfield this Saturday (January 24), here is a look at the opposition and what to expect...
The History
Chesterfield FC were originally formed in 1866 as an expansion of the town’s cricket club. However, the current club were formed in 1919 following the First World War, changing their name from Chesterfield Town to the current moniker.
The club spent most of its time in the Third Division, winning it on a regional basis in 1931 and 1936; by 1961, the club found themselves in the Fourth Division for the first time.
In 1981, The Spireites won the final contest of the Anglo-Scottish Cup, beating Notts County 2-1 on aggregate in the Final.
Under the reign of John Duncan, the team memorably made it to the FA Cup Semi-Final in 1997: an infamous game saw them 2-0 up against Premiership Middlesbrough, before a third goal was contentiously disallowed, allowing Boro to take the tie to extra-time and win the Replay.
Saltergate, the historic home of the team, was departed in 2010, and the club were promoted to League One in the first season at the current venue. After making the play-offs in 2015, a spiral in their fortunes saw them relegated to non-league in 2018 for the first time since 1921.
After six seasons in the National League, the club finished first and clinched promotion in 2024, and narrowly missed out on promotion in 2025 after losing in the play-offs to Walsall.
The Form
Chesterfield were among the favourites for promotion at the beginning of the season, and promptly won four of their opening five games in the league.
However, draws have been the bane of the North Derbyshire side so far, with 11 in total – more than the 10 wins they have picked up.
Their ongoing form has tailed off somewhat, with no wins in their last four games and the side still yet to win a game in 2026.
A 2-0 victory over Notts County on Boxing Day was the last time they picked up all three points.
The Spireites are out of all cup competitions, knocked out of both the FA Cup and EFL Trophy by Doncaster Rovers and the EFL Cup by Mansfield.
The Manager
Paul Cook has been in charge at the SMH Group Stadium for nearly four years, joining the club in February 2022.
Cook is in his second spell at the club, and already has something of an iconic status: initially appointed in 2012, he took Chesterfield from League Two into the League One play-offs within three seasons, narrowly missing out on the second-tier before departing for Portsmouth in 2015.
He then won the League Two title at Portsmouth, before a successful tenure at Wigan Athletic saw him promoted from League One, plus claiming a famous FA Cup victory over Manchester City in 2018.
After failing to turn around the fortunes of Ipswich Town – then in League One – he arrived back at Chesterfield in time to guide the club to a record-breaking promotion season from the National League in 2023-24.
The Captain
Chey Dunkley has not played since the 20th December, but has captained 21 games for Chesterfield this season.
The 32-year-old is highly experienced in the EFL, with previous spells at Oxford, Wigan, Sheffield Wednesday and Shrewsbury.
He joined the club in the summer of 2024 and has been a rock in their defence ever since, closing in on 2,000 playing minutes in League Two this season.
Vice-captain Jamie Grimes is also set to return from injury soon, captaining two games in Dunkley’s absence.
Kyle McFadzean, Tom Naylor and Liam Mandeville have also worn the armband this season.
The Ones to Watch
A familiar face is returning to Rodney Parade in the shape of Sammy Braybrooke.
Braybrooke decamped from County this month to join Paul Cook’s side, and has started the last two games for Chesterfield.
Familiar from his free-flowing attacking play and skilful runs, Braybrooke stood out in the first half of Newport’s season as an exceptional talent, and will hope the Leicester loanee does not get one over them in this match.
Lee Bonis is the goalscoring target for the away side, with 10 goals in all competitions throughout the season, as well as a place in the Northern Ireland squad.
Originally coming through the ranks of Portadown – who he supported growing up – a spell with Northern Irish champions Larne brought 39 goals in 85 games. He then crossed the sea for the Netherlands to play for Eredivisie outfit ADO Den Haag, where he grabbed another 11 goals in 2024-25.
After four goals in five games in December, he was named EFL League Two Player of the Month. His attacking style and dynamic presence liken him to fellow countryman Will Grigg, who currently wears the number 9 shirt for Chesterfield.
