Match preview: Ebbsfleet United (h)

The Spireites welcome Ebbsfleet United to the SMH Group Stadium as they look to extend their impressive home record.

With Bromley and Barnet playing in the FA Trophy, Chesterfield could move as much as 25 points clear at the top of the National League

Here’s everything you need to know…

Match Details

Date: Saturday, February 10, 2024

Opponents: Ebbsfleet United

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: https://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: Ebbsfleet United Football Club

Nickname: The Fleet

Founded: 1946

Stadium: Kuflink Stadium

Capacity: 4,769

Interim Manager: Danny Searle

Honours:

Conference South Champions | 2022/23

Conference South Play-Off Winners | 2010/11 & 2016/17

Isthmian League Champions | 2001/02

Southern League Southern Division Champions | 1974/75 & 1993/94

Southern League Champions | 1957/58

FA Trophy Winners | 2007/08

Southern League Cup Winners | 1977/78

Southern League Championship Cup Winners | 1978/79

On Danny Searle

Danny Searle was announced as Braintree Town manager in January 2019. He left the role just four months later to join Aldershot Town. The 45-year-old left the EBB Stadium in September 2021 after a run of poor results. He had a short stint as Waterford’s manager before joining Czech Republic side Bank Ostrava. Searle has since returned to England and joined Ebbsfleet United as interim manager following the departure of Dennis Kutrieb.

One to watch

Following his outstanding form in the National League South, Dominic Poleon has continued to find the back of the net in the level above. The forward has found his home at the Kuflink Stadium as he has netted 67 times in 116 league games during his three years in Kent.

This season in numbers:

Appearances – 28

Goals – 13

Yellow Cards – 2

Red Cards – 0

Minutes Played – 2,238

Played for both

After leaving Macclesfield Town in 2019, Jamie Grimes made the move back to Kent, this time to play for Ebbsfleet United. During his one season at the Kuflink Stadium, the defender made 33 appearances. Unfortunately for Grimes and Ebbsfleet, the season ended in relegation to the National League South.

In 2021, he joined Chesterfield after a season with Hereford United which saw the club reach the FA Trophy final before losing to Hornchurch. Grimes soon became a fan favourite at the SMH Group Stadium and was named captain. In nearly three years in North Derbyshire, the 33-year-old has made over 125 appearances and scored seven times.

View from the dugout

Danny Webb said: “Ebbsfleet have strengths all over the pitch. They’re a strong side and will cause any team they come up against problems.

“They have some real threats and a great striker; we’ll have to keep him quiet.”