The Spireites welcome play-off hopefuls Aldershot Town to the SMH Group Stadium in their last home game of 2023.
They are hoping to keep their eight-point lead over second-place Bromley going into Christmas Day.
Here’s everything you need to know…
Match Details
Date: Saturday, December 23, 2023
Opponents: Aldershot Town
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Vanarama National League
Location: SMH Group Stadium
Tickets
Tickets are available for the fixture here: https://tickets.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/en-gb/categories/match
Live Radio Commentary
Our in-house radio station, 1866 Sport, will provide exclusive full match commentary on the game, as well as pre and post-match analysis.
Don’t forget that 1866 Sport is on air 24-hours a day, seven days a week!
You can download the app from the Apple Store here:https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/1866-sport/id1580041321
If you’re an Android user, you can download the app here:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.radio.ma57501030
Alternatively, you can listen online here:
http://streaming.radio.co/s47db4a4f3/listen
It is also available via Alexa.
Our dedicated matchday show is sponsored by National Windscreens and will see commentator Phil Tooley joined by a special co-commentator.
Social Media
You can follow the action on our Twitter page (https://twitter.com/ChesterfieldFC), where we will provide regular updates.
Key news and moments will also be posted onto our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Pre/post-match interviews and highlights will be posted to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6hnRkCdElagLJlOqlgukPA) throughout the weekend.
The Opposition
Name: Aldershot Town Football Club
Nickname: The Shots
Founded: 1992
Stadium: The EBB Stadium
Capacity: 7,100
Manager: Tommy Widdrington
Honours:
Conference Champions | 2007/.08
Isthmian League Premier Division Champions | 2002/03
Isthmian League Division One Champions | 1997/98
Isthmian League Division Three Champions | 1992/93
Conference League Cup | 2007/08
On Tommy Widdrington
Tommy Widdrington started his managerial career in 2010 after a successful playing career with stints at Southampton, Grimsby Town and Hartlepool United. The former midfielder took charge of Sailsbury City, Hemel Hempstead Town and Eastbourne Borough before taking a couple of years out of management. In 2021, Widdrington joined King’s Lynn Town as manager but couldn’t stop the Linnets from slipping into the National League North. Two years later, with King’s Lynn on the cusp of promotion, he made the choice to join Aldershot Town – who were close to the relegation zone. The 52-year-old kept that Shots in the National League and has fired the side towards the play-offs this season. Widdrington was named National League Manager of the Month for November 2023.
One to watch
Joining from Sudbury in July 2023, Josh Stokes was coined as one to watch in a revitalised Aldershot Town side. The attacking midfielder has been one of the most exciting players in the National League with the 19-year-old attracting attention from various EFL clubs in the upcoming January transfer window. Stokes also scored in the reverse fixture with Aldershot falling to a 4-3 defeat.
This season in numbers:
Appearances – 26
Goals – 14
Assist – 2
Yellow Cards – 7
Red Cards – 0
Minutes Played – 2,156
Played for both
Whilst at Brentford, Manny Oyeleke went out on loan to Aldershot Town on three separate occasions between 2013-2015. The midfielder made over 50 appearances before joining rivals Woking on loan. A permanent move to Exeter City followed. Oyeleke once again joined the Shots in 2016, becoming a fan favourite. When his time at the EBB Stadium was up, he had made over 100 appearances for the club.
In April 2021, after a stint at Port Vale, Oyeleke dropped a division to join Chesterfield. He became a focal point of the midfield as the Spireites continued their resurgence. Unfortunately, the 30-year-old struggled with injury and didn’t play a game for over a year before leaving the club. In the summer of 2023, Oyeleke re-joined fellow National League side Woking.
View from the dugout
Danny Webb said: “They’re a team that are having a really good season. I’ve played for Tommy Widdrington many moons ago and he’s a good manager.
“He’ll certainly be pumping them up for this fixture. He, in particular, will give them every possible belief in themselves.”
