Chesterfield will win the Vanarama National League title if they avoid defeat to FC Halifax Town this evening at The Shay.
A draw or a win will end a six-year absence from the Football League after suffering relegation back in 2018.
Here’s everything you need to know…
Match Details
Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Opponents: FC Halifax Town
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Competition: Vanarama National League
Location: The Shay
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: FC Halifax Town
Nickname: The Shaymen
Founded: 2008
Stadium: The Shay
Capacity: 14,081
Manager: Chris Millington
Honours:
National League North Play-Off Winners | 2012/13 & 2016/17
Northern Premier League Champions | 2010/11
Northern Premier League Division One North Champions | 2009/10
FA Trophy Winners | 2015/16 & 2022/23
West Riding County Cup Winners | 2012/13
On Chris Millington
Chris Millington has never had a professional football career, going into management by having stints at Oldham Athletic and Curzon Ashton. He joined FC Halifax Town in 2019 alongside Pete Wild. Upon Wild leaving for Barrow in 2022, Millington stepped up to the manager role. In his first season, he won the FA Trophy with his side winning 1-0 against Gateshead at Wembley Stadium. He has kept the Shaymen within the play-off picture, with his side just one point behind Gateshead.
One to watch
Sam Johnson has played over 350 times for FC Halifax Town, winning the FA Trophy twice and also the National League North play-offs in 2017. The goalkeeper has had yet another good season for the Shaymen as he has only conceded 39 goals – being a part of the second best defence in the National League.
This season in numbers:
Appearances – 40
Clean Sheets – 11
Yellow Cards – 1
Red Cards – 0
Minutes Played – 3,600
Played for both
Emmanuel Dieseruvwe joined Chesterfield on loan from Sheffield Wednesday in 2015. He made the move permanent later that year. The striker made sporadic appearances and struggled for goals. He got his first goal for the Spireites in August 2015 against Carlisle United.
After stints at many clubs, Dieseruvwe joined FC Halifax Town in the summer of 2022. He immediately settled in and went on to have his best season to date. The Shaymen also won the FA Trophy as they beat Gateshead at Wembley Stadium. He scored 13 times in 43 appearances before moving to fellow National League side Hartlepool United.
View from the dugout
Danny Webb said: “They are a good team, a really good team. I went to watch them a few weeks ago and they’ve got a real mix of everything.
“We know what’s on the line for us, but they also want to make sure they get that play-off place cemented. We’ll have to be aware of all of their threats whilst bringing our A-game as well.”
