NEWS
Spireites Annual FootGolf Day
The annual Footgolf Competition took place at Barlborough Links on Thursday 16th July. 8 players lined up for the event on a scoring hot day (so after the game we retired to the Royal Oak at Barlborough for a well deserved pint!)
This year's competition was very close and Graham Bee was leading after 9 holes, but after a late surge, Rob Church won the match by one shot from Gary Armstrong and Billy Guest.
However, the highlight of the day was a hole in one Albatross of the Par 4 fourth hole by Karlos!
Chesterfield's First Walking Sports Festival!
Chesterfield Community Trust Awards 2026
On Friday 10th July 2026 the Chesterfield Community Trust Awards took place at Chesterfield FC SHM Stadium. The event shows the fantastic work that the Community Trust do to help the local communities based around the stadium. A big part of this is the involvement of walking football within our community and the awards are representative of this.
The nominees for Mens Walking Football Member of the Year were Peter Jacques, Terry Ashley, Rob Church, Dave Rutt and Ian Edmundson. They are pictured below with Keith Jackson (CFCT), Neil Haddy, Phil Tooley (CFC Match Commentator) and Jed Loftus.
Unfortunately Eric "The Cat" Bagshaw had left the building by this time as it was past his bedtime 😂. However Eric is photographed on the stage below with Neil Haddy and host Keith Jackson. It is difficult to comprehend that Eric and Neil are two of the original 4 members who started the walking football journey more than 15 years ago. The other photo shows Rob Church and Helen Hearnshaw, winners of the Mens and Women's awards, together with the founder of Walking Football in Chesterfield, CEO John Croot.
10 Year Certificates...Finally!
It was wonderful to welcome Kesar back to walking football this week after an enforced 18-month absence. His play showed that his absence has not diminished his skills! We were also able to finally award him his 10-year playing certificate - congrats Kesar, and welcome back 😀
This week we were also able to award a 10-year certificate to Dave Brearley.
Walking Football Charity Tournament on Tuesday 18th August
This charity event is organised by our very own Dave Walker in aid of Prostate Cancer UK and Dementia UK. It will be held at Highfields School in Matlock and all the money raised will go to the charities as Matlock FC have kindly paid for the pitches and referees. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase and a raffle will take place (prize donations gratefully accepted!). 16 teams have been invited and it should be a great day!
If you are interested in playing for the Spireites team and are over 60, please contact Rob Church as soon as possible. The cost is approximately £10 per player, dependent on numbers.
Senior Spireite Pete Jacques Wins Lifetime Achievement Award!
At the recent Chesterfield FC Community Awards, our very own Pete Jacques was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 in recognition of his exceptional dedication to fostering, spanning more than 15 years.
Congratulations Pete!
You can read more about this, and all the other awards, at https://chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/community-awards-2026-round-up.
Joint Good Friday Session Raises Money for Reach Charity
UPDATE: Steve's final total raised is a fantastic £356.53 + £31.25 in gift aid.
A fantastic £127.05p was raised at today’s joint Charity Day session with The Spirettes. The money was raised in sponsorship of Steve Dallison’s 10k run on May 17th in support of Reach Learning Disability Charity.
People can still support Steve’s efforts by donating on his Just Giving page using the following link:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/stephen-dallison-1771878756505
Many thanks to everyone who attended and donated.
John Longstaff gets selected to play for England - again!
Recently John Longstaff, a long serving member of the Club, was involved in two trials in Walsall for the Over 75's England squad. He had two good games where the set up was very professional. Strict walking football rules which we are not being used and the referees were being monitored on the sidelines by the FA which meant it was fair for all players. The outcome was that John was chosen for the England Over 75's team squad.
John has been selected to play for England before but this is the first time in this older age category. Congratulations to John from everyone at the Club for this great achievement.
10 Year Playing Certificate Presentations
There are several players who reached their 10 year anniversary of playing for the Senior Spireites at the start of 2026. This significant achievement was recognised at the recent AGM and certificates presented to those who were present. Photos of the other certificate presentations to be added in the near future.
Dave Ward celebrates his 80th Birthday
Just prior to his 80th Birthday the guys at Hasland presented Dave Ward (second from the left in the photo) with a birthday cake with just one candle due the fire hazard of having the full quantity of 80 on the cake! Congratulations to Dave to still be playing on this landmark birthday. The Club now has four Octogenarians regularly playing and may they continue for many years to come....
Good Friday session with the Spirettes to raise money for charity
The Good Friday playing session (April 3rd) with The Spirettes has been designated a Charity Day in aid of Steve Dallison’s 10k Chesterfield run on May 17th.
Steve is running for Reach Learning Disability who he also volunteers for. Details of the charity can be found at https://reachuk.org/
Attendees to the session are encouraged to donate a quid or two to support this very worthwhile cause.
Annual Ashgate Hospice donation of £300
Our treasurer, Neil Haddy, has made a donation from the Club to Ashgate Hospice of £300, which is the result of various donations, fundraising and functions throughout the year. It was an opportunity to make a dedication "in memory of" Neil's daughter, Lisa, who passed away just a few weeks ago which was very appropriate as she was cared for by Ashgate nurses.
Thanks from the committee to everyone who contributed to this sum, which demonstrates that the Club does a lot to support the local community.
Successful Senior Spireites Lunch at the SMH Group Stadium
Over 30 members and guests of the Senior Spireites Walking Football Club attended the annual Senior Spireites Lunch hosted by Chesterfield FC Community Trust in late November.
The guest speaker was Mike Jones, the ex-player who retired last year through injury, that did a good Q&A session at the end of the talk.
Thanks to Rob Church who organised the event and a great time was had by everyone that attended.
Congratulations to Graham Turner for completing a sky dive challenge for his 80th birthday and raising funds for Ashgate Hospice. Graham would like to thank everyone who sponsored him to the tune of £1136.88.
Well done Graham, you are braver than most of us!!.
Graham Turner's Sky Dive raises over £1,100 for charity
Sue Jacques' fund raising wins Ashgate Hospice Award
Pete Jacques with family, friends and staff of Inkersall Spencer School, were invited to the Ashgate Hospice Sparkle Walk presentation evening at Casa Hotel and were proudly presented with a trophy and certificate for raising the most money in the educational category for the Sparkle Walk.
Pete would like to thank Malc Parks and the Committee for organizing the collection in memory of Sue when the Club played the Spirettes earlier this year and all those members who contributed to the Just Giving page
Steve Housley wins Award for the 2025 Club's Unsung Hero
At the Chesterfield FC Community Trust annual awards Steve Housley won the Mens Walking Football Unsung Hero Award which was for his many years as Fixture Secretary. He has been instrumental in arranging numerous friendlies against other local teams as well as organizing the League squads over the years. Steve’s experience in team management will be sorely missed as well as his wise contributions at Committee meetings.
Congratulations to Steve and also to Andie Harkness and Malc Emberton for getting on the shortlist of nominations for their efforts and help to make the playing sessions at Dronfield and Hasland so enjoyable for the rest of the members of the Club.
Three Club Trophies now on display at Chesterfield FC!
The Senior Spireites were winners of the first annual walking football tournament organised by Sheffield Wednesday Community Trust and the trophy is on display with the other trophies won by the Club.
The Fair Play Trophy that the Over 60's team were awarded at the end of the 2024/25 East Midlands League season is now proudly on display in the trophy cabinet in the reception of Chesterfield FC's SMH Group Stadium.
These recent trophy joins the Warburton Cup that was won by the Senior Spireites in August 2014 playing in a tournament held in Blackpool. The cup was presented by footballing legend Jimmy Armfield. Some members of that winning team are still playing today!
Well done to both past and present teams - there is plenty of space free in the trophy cabinet for more to be won in the future...
Ashgate Hospice donation from Last Man Standing
Steve Boston wins the Senior Spireites Last Man Standing football score competition on behalf of Ashgate Hospice. He was congratulated by Vic Jackson, one of the Club's loyal Blades supporters. A donation was made to the Hospice of £72 on Steve's behalf. Well done Steve!
Chesters Fish bar Sponsors the Over 50's team kit
The winners of The Restaurant of The Year 2021 and Best Fish and Chip shop in Chesterfield, Chesters, as voted on multiple occasions by Derbyshire Times readers, have generously sponsored the Senior Spireites Walking Football Club’s newly formed Over 50s team Kit.
Malc Perks, Chair of the Senior Spireites said, "The proprietors of Chesters, Chris and Chrisoulla have been so generous helping us set up our Over 50s team. Our oldest member is 86, and with the average member age of 69, most of our members are pensioners and we try to keep our subscription charges to a minimum to encourage participation, so sponsorship of playing kit really helps us keep Walking Football affordable to all. Our members are extremely grateful for Chesters' kindness and generosity and we obviously wish them continued success and many more years serving the folks of Chesterfield with the very Best Quality Fish and Chips"
Neil Haddy contributes to Swedish book on the origins of walking football
One of the original Senior Spireites, Neil Haddy, was contacted by a Swedish writer who was putting together a book about the origins and benefits of walking football as there isn't one in the Swedish language - until now!
The book is titled "It is never too late" and is a combination of 50 articles from players, leaders, referees, scientists, doctors and even the UEFA put together by Stefan Loden.
A link to the articles is from the image of the book with Neil's contribution on page 20 in English which makes an interesting read.
Staff from Inkersall Spencer Academy fund raise in memory of Sue Jacques
A large group of staff from Inkersall Spencer Academy Primary School are walking 10km together on Saturday 28 June 2025 in memory of a much loved colleague Sue Jacques, wife of Pete who is Kit Manager for the Senior Spireites.
The aim to raise as much as possible to help support Ashgate Hospice so that it can continue providing specialist care to patients and those important to them. Click on the image to link to the Just Giving website to donate towards this very important local charity.
Chesterfield FC history book features the Senior Spireites Walking Football Club
A book written about the recent history of Chesterfield FC and how the local community took over the football club features a chapter on the birth of Walking Football and the creation of the Senior Spireites as the world's first walking football club.
The book is an uplifting story of a passionate and committed community of Chesterfield FC supporters who rallied together to rescue their beloved club from the brink of disaster after it fell victim to a fraudulent owner who was imprisoned for his actions. The supporters envisioned a deep connection between the club and the local community, aiming to benefit everyone in the town. With support from the local council, they managed the club precariously for several years before passing it on to a reliable new owner, who ushered in a fresh chapter.
Copies of the book can be purchased at Chesterfield FC's shop or online.
Keith Jackson awarded Club shirt for 10 years service to the Community Trust
Keith Jackson, one of the Senior Spireites honorary members, received a commemorative shirt from Chesterfield FC at a recent home game.
The shirt was to recognise the 10 years that Keith has worked for the Community Trust that is an integral part of the football club. Well done to Keith for all he does for the local community and his support of the Senior Spireites.
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Mel Pullen becomes the first Life Member of the Mansfield Reds
Mel Pullen has become the first Life Member of his former walking football club, Mansfield Reds.
10 years ago four lads from Mansfield were members of the Chesterfield club for a time before they started Mansfield SR. Mel went to their first playing session and has played with and against both teams ever since.
Accepting the award Mel said "it is a honour to be the first person to be given Life Membership and it is much appreciated. I have enjoyed my time playing with everyone at the club from the very beginning. I have made a lot of friends and enjoyed my time (except when we lost)".
Plaque unveiled to mark Chesterfield as the birthplace of walking football
A blue plaque has been unveiled outside the HUB at the SMH Group Stadium to mark Chesterfield as the birthplace of walking football.
The event was attended by Chesterfield FC Community Trust representatives, local walking football players from the men's and women's teams and senior officials from walking football bodies.
John Croot, CEO of Chesterfield FC/Chesterfield FC Community Trust, was part of the Trust team who devised walking football, along with Andy Morris, Adam Norman and others.
John said: “It’s a real privilege and it’s great for the people who have been involved in it from the very early sessions. We heard from people who were coaching at the first sessions, along with those who were playing and watching. Part of having this plaque here recognises the role that the Trust, myself and others have all put in since they were playing two-a-side at Queen’s Park Sports Centre!
“It’s helping people get into a healthy lifestyle and it’s as much about what doesn’t happen on the pitch in that, they (walking football players) go and do other activities and get to know each other.
“To think that it all started here at Chesterfield all those years ago, it’s quite humbling.”
Alan Rose, president of the International Walking Football Federation, who recently held their World Championships at the SMH Group Stadium, attended the unveiling. He expressed delight at the growth of the sport and urged others to get involved in walking football, saying: “Don’t think about it – get down and do it and enjoy it.”
