There were incredible scenes after the full-time whistle today at the SMH Group Stadium after a 3-0 home victory confirmed Chesterfield FC's promotion into League Two, as well as securing them the National League title.
With five games remaining, the Spireites sit 21 points clear at the top of the table and have now confirmed their return to the football league after an absence lasting six years.
Chesterfield celebrate promotion to League Two after six-year absence
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An incredible season for Chesterfield
After finishing third in last year's campaign and losing to Notts County in the play-off final, supporters were hoping to go one better and secure automatic promotion to the football league this time around – and boy did Paul Cook's side deliver.
Losing just three times since February, the Spireites have become an uncatchable force. Barnet are currently the closest team to them in the league, but even they are a whopping 21 points adrift.
Their 3-0 victory over Boreham Wood not only saw them claim the title, but also score their 100th goal of the campaign, and having conceded just 55 goals, they also have the best goal difference in the division by quite some margin.
Chesterfield's campaign could yet become even more impressive, with Wrexham's record of 34 wins in one National League campaign still surpassable for the club. With five games to go, they will, however, need to win each of their remaining fixtures to do so.
Incredible scenes at the SMH Group Stadium
Full time scenes at the SMH Group Stadium as Chesterfield secure promotion to the football league and the National League title! 🏆
Just under 10,000 in attendance to watch this moment of history 🙌#Spireites pic.twitter.com/a4ufpS8gkT
— FanHub (@FanHub) March 23, 2024
Supporters will not care about that record right now though, and rightly so. It is an amazing day for everyone associated with the club, and that was evident at the full-time whistle today.
With the three points secure, fans stormed the pitch to celebrate with the players and release the tension that has been building up over the course of the campaign. Who can blame them? After all this moment has been six years in the making.
Fans react to the promotion
Rival fans were quick to flock to Chesterfield's social media pages, congratulating them on an incredible campaign. One Aldershot Town fan wrote: “Congratulations to you all. Best team by miles. Enjoy your last few weeks as a non-league team.”
While a Gateshead fan, whose side are currently fighting for play-off positions, optimistically asked them to take life easy against his club when they play each other on April 16, saying: “Let us have 3 points when you come to Gateshead please and thank you.”
Unsurprisingly, Chesterfield fans were also over the moon with their side and were very vocal in their praise for the club. One supporter took to X, formerly Twitter, to say: “Three promotions in three years for James Berry. Serial winner, that lad!”
Another simply added: “So proud of the lads. So utterly proud.”
Congratulations Chesterfield from everyone at Football Ground Guide, you deserve it!