Technique Stadium – Chesterfield

Chesterfield’s modern 10,400 capacity all seater stadium is located around one and a half miles north of the town centre. On one side is the Van Yard Main Stand. This stand has a capacity of 2,902 seats on a single tier, with a glass fronted executive lounge at the rear. The players emerge from the tunnel at the centre of the stand, whilst the centre seating of the stand is taken up by the Directors Box, Sponsors and Legends seating areas, with the press seating situated towards the North end wing section. The stand has a graceful curved roof with white steelwork and a glazed windshield at the north end, with a ground floor and top level viewing area for disabled supporters and their helpers in the South wing section. At one side of the stand, towards the North Stand is an unusual looking stadium control tower which extends beyond the touchline.

Opposite on the East Side is the Karen Child Community Stand which is similar in appearance, having a curved roof line and a capacity of 3,144 seats with glazed windshields on either side, but with no executive facilities at the rear. The television camera gantry is situated in this stand below the roof steelwork. Both ends are similar affairs, both being single tiered, covered and housing just over 2,000 supporters. Unlike the other stands the roofs on these ends are not curved, but again glass windshields are in place on both sides. The only real difference is that the Motan Colortronic (South) Stand has two ground floor level disabled viewing areas as opposed to one in the Harold Lilleker & Sons (North) Stand. The ground is complemented at present by four modern slim corner floodlight pylons which each have 14 lights on four rows.

The stadium has a pleasing balanced feel with no single stand dominating the whole ground. Externally there are some nice touches too, with the ‘wall of fame’ from the clubs ‘buy a brick scheme’, in the South and North West corners and wide pathways that lead through the car park to the turnstile blocks from Sheffield Road. There is an electric scoreboard at one end of the ground located on the roof of the away fan stand and another larger LED screen in the South East corner. The only minor downside is that one corner of the stadium is overlooked by a Tesco’s store and car park, which detracts from the overall look. Special thanks to Owen Pavey for providing the information and photos for this page.

Away supporters are normally housed in the Harold Lilleker & Sons Stand at the north end of the stadium, where up to 2,112 supporters can be seated. If demand requires it then additional seating can also be made available in the Karen Child Community Stand. Conversely, if your team has a small following then only part of the East Stand is allocated and not the North End. Unlike most new stadiums the fans are housed pretty close to the pitch, ensuring good views of the playing action. The leg room is good too. The concourses are built to a high standard, with large flat screen televisions (showing Sky Sports, plus the game going on inside with commentary) to keep the fans entertained. Food on offer from the concourse includes the locally produced Jacksons Pies. The Peppered Steak and Brampton Ale Pie (£3) sounds particularly mouth watering! There are also Large Steak & Mushy Peas Pies (£3.50), Sausage Rolls (£3), Cheeseburgers (£3.20), Burgers (£3), Rollover Hot Dogs (£3) and Chicken Burgers (£3.20). Plus for the vegetarians Mexican Chilli Bean Pies (£3). Pleasingly, the refreshment areas stay open throughout the match (although no alcohol is allowed to be served after 9pm for evening games).

The roof of the away end is quite low, which ensures that a relatively small number of away supporters can really make some noise. I noted that the stewards allowed standing at the back of the stand but not at the front. When one away fan queried with one of the staff as to why this was, whilst pointing at some Chesterfield fans standing at the front of one of their stands, he was met with the response; ‘That’s football’ with a shrug of the shoulders. In an effort to further boost the atmosphere, there is a drummer in the home end and on my visit a drum was also allowed into the away stand. If Chesterfield scores then the tune ‘Tom Hark’ echoes around the stadium.

Please note that cash is not accepted at the turnstiles, entrance is by ticket only. Away fans can purchase their tickets from the small portable booth located outside the Harold Lilleker & Sons (North) Stand.

Just across Sheffield Road from the Proact Stadium is the Glassworks Pub. This pub has been recently refurbished and has up to eight real ales on tap, four of which are from the local Brampton Brewery, who also own the pub. It welcomes both home and away supporters. Further up Sheffield Road (a five minute walk, passing a handy Chinese/Fish & Chip shop on the way) and turning right into King Street North is a micropub called the Beer Parlour. As well as ales and ciders it has a number of bottled beers for sale. Although welcoming to away fans it is on the small side. Further up the Sheffield Road is the Derby Tup. This pub normally has ten real ales available. Although the pub does not sell food, the landlord allows customers to bring in food from outside. Further on up Sheffield Road on the right is the well placed North Sea Fish and Chip shop, which was doing a brisk trade on my last visit. Further up on the left is the Red Lion pub, which serves beers from the Old Mill Brewery and shows Sky Sports.

Other pubs located near to the stadium such as the Stonegravels, do not admit away fans. Whilst the nearby Donkey Derby Pub which also offers food is very busy on matchdays and is predominantly for home supporters.

Sarah Greenan adds; ‘A pub I would recommend for away supporters is the Rutland Arms on Stephenson Place in Chesterfield Town Centre. If you arrive by train and walk towards the town centre it’s just upon on your left – the pub is next to the huge church with the Crooked Spire – you can’t miss it! The Rutland is a very old pub and in recent years has operated as a traditional ale house with a huge range of well-kept real ales and good food as well. It welcomes home and away supporters and is a pleasure to visit. In warm weather customers spill out into the adjacent churchyard’.

Roland Gent adds; ‘Across the road from the Rutland on Holywell Cross is Einstein’s a “themed” German Bar, which serves steins of lager and “authentic” German food. On the other side of the Crooked Spire from the Rutland serving a dazzling selection of real ales from the Chesterfield-based Raw Brewery is the White Swan. Further round the Crooked Spire church is the Rectory. It is family friendly and serves food, as well as a large selection of hand-pulled real ales. Just down St Mary’s gate from the Crooked Spire is Wetherspoons, the eternal football fans’ favourite Spa Lane Vaults, it does what it says on the tin and usually sells at least one Thornbridge beer from Bakewell.’

Roland continues; ‘If you take a two minute walk away from the area around the crooked spire church and head for the market area. Then in the Shambles you’ll find the Royal Oak a tiny pub which is the oldest pub in Chesterfield. It serves real ale including guest beers often Jennings. In the Market Place is The Market, a lucky coincidence that it was called that, it was one of the first real ale pubs in Chesterfield and still does a roaring trade there’s a good selection of Malt Whiskey to be had here. The Portland is the second Wetherspoons in Chesterfield sitting on the opposite side of the market square from the Market pub. If you venture past the Portland heading towards West Bars, you’ll find a micropub called the Chesterfield Alehouse, it’s in a shop unit and has enthusiastic staff that know their beers.’

If walking up to the stadium from Chesterfield Railway Station and you like good ale, then you may wish to make a small detour to the Chesterfield Arms. The pub which is situated on Newbold Road is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and has normally ten ales and six ciders available.’ Otherwise alcohol is served inside the ground.

Chesterfield Railway Station is walkable from the Technique Stadium, although it will take you between 20 and 30  minutes to walk to do so. Alternatively, there is a taxi rank outside the station and it costs around £5 for a ride up to the ground.

If you wish to travel to the ground by bus a five minute walk into the town centre will enable you to catch a bus from Cavendish Street. This will take 5-15 minutes to get to the ground, depending on traffic. Come out of the station and turn left and follow the road to the left side of the Chesterfield Hotel. There is a footbridge over the A61 Inner Relief Road, which will take you into Corporation Street. At the end of the street you will see the museum on the left, and the famous crooked spire church directly ahead of you. Go over the zebra crossing and turn right, carry on this road, walk past Eyres furniture store and The Winding Wheel. Cavendish Street is the next turning on the left. Bus stops T1 and T2 are on the opposite side of the road.

Walking directions from the railway station:

Come out of the station and turn left. The Chesterfield Hotel will be directly ahead of you, take the road to the right hand side and carry on over the mini roundabout, into Brewery Street, up the hill and over the A61 Inner Relief Road with Chesterfield College on your right hand side. After 5 minutes walk you will reach the end of the road at the Old Post Office Restuarant. Turn right and after a minutes walk you will come to a mini-roundabout. Take the right turn into Sheffield Road. This road dips down, up and then down again for around 15 minutes. At the big roundabout with the car showrooms you will see the Donkey Derby pub in front of you and the ground further along Sheffield Road. Visiting fans must carry on past the HTM Products Stand to reach the Printabilty Stand at the north end of the ground.

Shuttle Bus

The Club are also have a shuttle bus which operates on matchdays (every 10 minutes 13.30 – 14.40 Saturdays and 18.20 – 19.30 weekdays). It departs from Rose Hill by the Town Hall. The bus is also in operation after the game (last bus on Saturdays is 17.45, weekdays 22.25). The fare is £1 each way.

Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:

Leave the M1 at Junction 29 and take the A617 towards Chesterfield. At the end of the dual carriageway at the edge of the town centre, turn right onto the A61 towards Sheffield. At the first roundabout turn left and the stadium is down on the right. For the main entrance turn right into Sheffield Road and then right again into the Club car park. However, the club car park is for permit holders only. There is nearby street parking available on side roads off the Sheffield Road if you arrive early enough. Alternatively, the large Tesco store by the ground has set aside part of its large car park for matchday parking costing £5 per car.

Remember if travelling by train then you can normally save on the cost of fares by booking in advance.

Visit the the trainline website to see how much you can save on the price of train tickets.

Click on the trainline logo below:

Chesterfield operates a category system for match tickets (A & B), whereby the most popular games cost more to watch. Category A prices are shown below, with Category B prices shown in brackets:

Home Fans

Van Yard (Main) West Stand (Centre):
Adults £24 (£22), Over 65’s £20 (£18), Under 22’s £18 (£16), Under 17’s £13 (£11)
Van Yard (Main) West Stand (Wings):
Adults £22 (£20), Over 65’s £18 (£16), Under 22’s £17 (£15), Under 17’s £12 (£10)
Kareen Child Community East Stand (Centre):
Adults £23 (£21), Over 65’s £19 (£17), Under 22’s £17 (£15), Under 17’s £9 (£7), Under 8’s £7 (£5)
Motan Colortronic South Stand:
Adults £20 (£18), Over 65’s £16 (£14), Under 22’s £13 (£11), Under 17’s £9 (£7)
Family areas:
Adults £20 (£18), Over 65’s £18 (£16), Under 22’s £13 (£11), Under 17’s £9 (£7)

Away Fans: 

The Harold Lilleker & Sons North Stand:
Adults £20 (£18), Over 65’s £16 (£14), Under 22’s £13 (£11), Under 17’s £9 (£7)

Official Programme £3.

Chesterfield FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website)

Mansfield Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United and Rotherham United.

For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website.

Chesterfield is famous amongst other things for its St Mary and All Saints church with has a large crooked spire, which dominates the town centre skyline. It is near the town centre of town and clearly visible. Tours of the church are available, with excellent views of the town centre and surrounding countryside from the base of the spire. Chesterfield town centre can be reached in around 20 minutes by foot.

The site of the former Chesterfield Recreation Ground, more better known as Saltergate has now been redeveloped as a housing estate. There are some small tributes to the ground on the site.

Record Attendance

At the Proact Stadium:
10,089 v Rotherham United
League Two, 18th March 2011.

At Saltergate:
30,986 v Newcastle United
Division Two, April 7th, 1949.

Average Attendance

2018-2019: 4,500 (National League)
2017-2018: 5,354 (League Two)
2016-2017: 5,929 (League One)

If you require hotel accommodation in Chesterfield then first try a hotel booking service provided by Booking.com. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will help towards the running costs of keeping this Guide going.

Official Web Sites: 

www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk
www.theproactstadium.co.uk

Unofficial Web Site: 

Compton Street (Footy Mad Network)

If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.