EVENTS
Spirettes play the Senior Spireites in friendly matches
In mid June the Spirettes played two of the male walking football teams in a friendly but competitive series of matches. The guys represented Hasland Old Boys and the squad that recently played in the Almelo tournament in Holland.
The Spirettes worked well as a team closing down the opposition and playing a fast passing game. All the players are looking forward to the next series of matches later in the summer.
Friendly game held against Chesterfield FC Akademy
A friendly game was held at Dronfield Akademy between Chesterfield FC Academy Employees and the Chesterfield Senior Spireites who support Chesterfield FC.
It was great to welcome the Academy's manager Neil Cluxton for an hour and for all the Senior Spireites to play with and against them during the session.
There was very obvious gulf in the skill level between the teams as they always found the correct pass, always appeared to have time, they worked in triangles and rarely gave the ball away and when a shot was taken it was usually on target and in the corner of the goals.
Chesterfield Academy arrived with only five players, so in playing 7~a-side games two players in turn from Senior Spireites donned the orange bibs of the visitors. In the first game, the Academy took time to find their feet, and two strikes from Yashin (assisted by Kevin P) settled the game, though Steve D was unlucky not to score when he hammered a shot against the bar.
The two teenage Academy players were proving a handful in the second game and their team went ahead only for Yashin to curl in the equaliser. However Pete T had no chance as the orange bibs took control and netted three impressive goals for a 4-1 win. It looked better for the Seniors as Steve D scored the first goal in the third game, but Yashin - loaned to the visitors - levelled and just as the game looked set for a draw with referee Andie H ready to blow the whistle, the Academy struck with the last kick of the game for a very narrow 2-1 win.
The fourth game finished honourably at 2-2. Again the Seniors started well, with Keith A hitting home a splendid volley and Yashin, back with the non bibs, netting from a narrow angle. The visitors however kept the pressure on the Seniors and two late goals earned them a deserved draw.
Many thanks to the Chesterfield Academy for their time and playing so well.
First matches for Over 50's squad against Bakewell
The first matches involving the recently formed Over 50s squad took place in mid-March against Bakewell. Organised by Darryl Davies, there are over 15 players who have signed up for playing in an Over 50s fortnightly tournament based in Derby starting in September.
The first match against Bakewell was a 1-1 draw and in the second game the Spireites won 1-0.Yashin Umerji scored in both matches. Darryl reported that "The squad played some good football on a very tricky, icy surface and you could see some key combinations starting to come together." More friendly matches are being arranged in the next few months before the new season kicks off.
We were Chesterfield FC - Just for one day
Whilst doing a bit of clearing out Rob Church uncovered an old photo of a squad of players from 2017 who played a competition against a number of Midlands based teams. Six of the squad are still playing members of the Senior Spireites 7 years later - well done guys!
Goalkeeper Norman Green's recollection of the event is that the competition was played at Derby Velodrome, next door to Derby County’s Ground. It was a cup competition with several teams taking part including from Crewe, Coventry, Wolverhampton and Nottingham. The Chesterfield team made it to the semi-final after a penalty shoot out in which Norman was fortunate enough to save one penalty. "I knew nothing about the save as I just flung myself across the goal and the ball hit me" said Norman.
Unfortunately, the boys in blue lost the semifinal to Notts County who went on to win the competition. Happy Days!
Matlock Dementia and Prostate charity tournament raised £4400
Matlock Walking Football Club arranged a charity non-stop football match in early August where they raised £4400 by playing continuously for 6 hours. The money raised will be split between two important charities involved in Dementia and Prostate Cancer treatment.
The Senior Spireites participated in the event with two teams, each playing for an hour. The Club subsidised an overall contribution of £200 to the charities to help Matlock reach their goal. Well done to all the teams and players involved in this very worth while event.
Annual Foot Golf Tournament took place in August
The annual Foot Golf Tournament took place at the Barlborough Links Golf Course in August. It was a close competition with Matthew Robinson, son of Graham Bee, coming out as the winner. Rob Church came second and third place was tied between Jason Sockett and Paul Markwell.
The event over 18 holes was a challenge in the windy conditions but the match was played in a friendly, competitive spirit with plenty of encouragement when things were going wrong for most of the players on hole 8 and 17! Thanks to Rob for organising this fun event.
Following the game there was the customary visit to the Royal Oak at Barlborough Village to swap stories of near misses and "if only" shots.
Unique opportunity to play at Chesterfield FC's ground
The Club was offered the unique opportunity to play on the pitch of Chesterfield FC, newly promoted from the National league to the Second Division. On May 8th over 50 members of the Senior Spireites took advantage of this once in a lifetime change to play on the (almost) hallowed turf of our local team.
The Senior Spireites have a long history of links with Chesterfield FC and to use the pitch that the professional players use was a real treat. The playing sessions took place on 4 pitches, that were a quarter of the full size pitch, as a 6-a-side games. The weather was excellent which added to the very enjoyable occasion that was enjoyed by all the participants.
In mid-May the Walking Football World Championships (organised by the IWFF - International Walking Football Federation Council) are being held at the Chesterfield FC' SMH Group stadium with teams from Australia, Lithuania, Sweden, Norway, France, Wales, Poland and the hosts, England. The Senior Spireites are heavily involved in the event providing marshaling services and welcoming the players to Chesterfield.
