New Stadium at Chesterfield on Saturday

Chesterfield FC v Hereford United
Football League 2
Saturday 21st August 2010 KO 3.00pm
B2Net Stadium
1866 Sheffield Road
Whittington Moor
Chesterfield
S41 8NZ (For older sat navs use S41 8LF)
Phone 01246 209765

After nearly 140 years of football being played at The Recreation Ground at Saltergate, The Spireites have moved to a new stadium on the site of the old Dema Glass Works on Sheffield Road. The "Kop" home terrace at Saltergate was close to closure back in the late nineties when the barriers and concrete were deemed unfit but was kept open for another decade when supporters put their collective shoulders behind the effort to "re-terrace" the end. Eventually, however, a move became inevitable, as the decaying old stadium offered no scope for improved commercial activity.

The new "b2net" is all-seated with visiting fans being accommodated in the Printability North Stand where you will find a concourse that offers the usual refreshments, licensed bar, TV screens and toilets. The Stadium has a capacity of 10.400 with just over 2000 seats available to visitors in The North Stand. Admission is £16 for Adults, Concession (Over 65 and U18) £10 and U16's £7. You must buy a ticket BEFORE you go to the turnstiles. Tickets are available from HUFC offices (08442 761939) until Friday afternoon or can be purchased from the ticket office at Chesterfield.

HUISA – departs from Radford's at 9.30am with tickets priced at £16 for members or £18 for non-members.

BY CAR – travel to Worcester and take the M5 north before joining the M42 at M5 J4a. At the end of the M42, continue onto the A42 and follow signs for Tamworth/M1. Join the M1 north and continue until leaving at J29. At the roundabout, take the second exit onto and join the A617 (dual-carriageway). Continue on the A617 for about 7 miles then at the roundabout take the fourth exit onto the A61 north (dual-carriageway). At the next roundabout, take the first exit (Mercedes garage on the left) onto Lockoford Lane and then the third exit e next onto Sheffield Road (B6057). The ground will soon become visible on your left just passed the entrance to Tesco. Sat.Nav.users should use S41 8NZ although some older devices that have not been updated might require S41 8LF. Distance is just over 130 miles and you should allow two and a half hours from Hereford.

TRAIN – Journeys to Chesterfield involve changes at Birmingham New Street and Derby. Departures from Hereford at 07.40, 08.40 and 09.36 arriving at 10.36, 11.36 and 12.36. Return trains leave Chesterfield at 18.06 and 19.06 arriving back in Hereford at 21.03 and 22.34. Chesterfield station close to the town centre and a shuttle bus is believed to run from th centre to the b2net stadium on match days.

PARKING – at the stadium is by permit only although a number of surrounding businesses are believed to be offering parking on nearby industrial sites. Please allow time to find a suitable space.

ALEHOUSES – The two unusual features for a new stadium are the absence of signs saying "Welcome to Church Stretton" and the fact that there are plenty of decent boozers just a short walk from the stadium. The Derby Tup is on the Sheffield Road just a few minutes from the away end. It often has up to ten pumps and is listed in the good book. The Rose and Crown is directly opposite the Main Stand and the Donkey Derby Pub is a couple of minutes back towards the town from the South Stand. Regular visitors to Chesterfield will probably still want to pay a visit to The Rutland in Stephenson Place. There is a convenient car park in the town centre just a short walk from this splendid boozer. There is a Pizza outlet, chip shop and a KFC all close to the stadium on Sheffield Road.

COYB.

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