Ahead of the Spireites’ return to the Football League and League Two, we are going to take a look at all 23 other teams that make up the division.
Starting off with Accrington Stanley:
FACT FILE
Team Name: Accrington Stanley Football Club
Nickname: Stanley
Year Founded: 1968
Stadium: Wham Stadium
Capacity: 5,450
2023/24 SEASON
Accrington started the 2023/24 season in League Two for the first time in five years and endured a fairly mixed start to the campaign. Success was also mixed in the cup competitions as well, as Stanley were knocked out at the first round in both the League Cup and FA Cup. However, they made it to the third round of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy before losing to Bolton Wanderers. Stanley never dragged towards a relegation battle throughout the year but decided to make a change in March when John Coleman’s second stint at the club ended after nine-and-a-half years. John Doolan took the reins permanently and secured two wins in their final eight games to finish in 17th place – 15 points above the relegation zone and 13 points below the play-off places.
MANAGER
John Doolan was a defender throughout his playing career, having stints at clubs like Wigan Athletic, Barrow and Accrington Stanley. He went into coaching and worked at the Liverpool, Everton and Wigan academies before joining the Latics’ first-team staff. Doolan also had spells at Hibernian and Rotherham United as assistant to Alan Stubbs. However, in 2017, he joined Accrington Stanley as first-team coach. He spent seven years in the role after taking the managerial job in March 2024 following John Coleman’s dismissal.
Courtesy of Accrington Stanley FC/Luke Reynolds Photography
KEY PLAYER
Shaun Whalley is in his third spell (including a loan stint) with Accrington Stanley and is still providing a creative spark at the age of 36. The attacking midfielder has played 150 times for the club, scoring 18 goals. He signed a one-year contract extension with Accrington in May.
Last season in numbers:
Appearances – 40
Goals – 8
Assists – 6
Yellow Cards – 6
Red Cards – 0
Minutes Played – 2,919
Courtesy of Accrington Stanley FC/Luke Reynolds Photography
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Gary Roberts joined Conference side Accrington Stanley in 2005 from Welshpool Town. He impressed at the Wham Stadium, scoring 26 times in 69 games. His form caught the attention of Ipswich Town who signed him permanently following a loan spell in January 2007. Roberts once again joined Stanley in 2021 – his last club before retirement.
In the summer of 2013, Roberts moved to Chesterfield from Swindon Town, and it didn’t take him long to become a fans’ favourite. The attacking midfielder was an integral part of the side that won the 2013/14 League Two title and reached the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final. He left the club at the end of the 2014/15 campaign with 20 goals in his 89 appearances. Roberts re-joined the Spireites in April 2022 as a first-team coach.
Courtesy of Tina Jenner
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
P 15 W 5 D 2 L 8
Chesterfield vs Accrington Stanley was a fixture that was fairly even in the early exchanges with both sides trading victories. However, Stanley have come away from the last four competitive meetings with four wins.
PREVIOUS GAME
In January 2018, Accrington won the last competitive meeting between the two sides with a comprehensive four-goal victory. Mark Hughes gave the home side the lead within 20 minutes as he lashed home from close-range. Sean McConville’s superb long-range curling strike gave John Coleman’s side a 2-0 lead going into the break. Aaron Ramsdale, who was making his debut for Chesterfield, fumbled a low cross into his own net soon after the break before Billy Kee tapped home late on to conclude the scoring.
The Spireites travelled to the Wham Stadium last season for a pre-season friendly and came away with a win. Ollie Banks, Armando Dobra and Ryan Colclough put Paul Cook’s side into a three-goal lead. Jack Nolan pulled one back before half time and Brad Hills added another for the hosts, but the Blues continued to build momentum ahead of a National League title-winning season.
*Wham Stadium image courtesy of Accrington Stanley/Scott Dawson Advertising.
