Monday 6th December 2010

Stuart Basson, author of a new book, 'Saltergate Sunset' that details the lifetime of the old Saltergate football ground has talked to Chesterfield Post reporter, Paul Fisher (who himself contributed to the work, along with Paul Kellett and Mark Watterson).

The 200-page book catalogues the history of the old ground and the memories, recollected by former players, staff members and supporters of the fourth oldest club in the Football League.

It concludes on 8 May 2010, with the last Football League match to be played at Chesterfield's old Saltergate stadium. A Derek Niven winner in stoppage time ended 139 years of football, cricket and local fairs at the town centre recreation ground.

It's been a long time in the pipeline - with Stuart contacted by former Chesterfield FC goalkeeper and Commercial Director, Alan Stevenson, to write an end of era book four years ago.

Stuart has a lot of previous experience about writing books with regards to Chesterfield Football Club and its history - he has previously written the 'Definitive Guide', 'Lucky Whites and Spireites', and the 'Official History'.

Stuart talked about when he was approached, "Alan Stevenson and Jim Brown contacted me about four years ago, and we discussed possible formats of the book.

"It wasn't until we had actually put down some bricks and mortar at Whittington Moor (the site of the new £13 million B2net stadium), that I thought I had better get something done! It had been on the backburner for much of that period and I needed help from other people.

"I got Paul Kellett's assistance as he has a lot of contacts for former Chesterfield players and he also helped carry out interviews which is something I’m not so keen on".

Stuart admits he was cautious of using the book as a rehash of the 'Official History', and so went on to build on the research that he had carried out for that book, with more emphasis on the events that took place at the Recreation ground specifically.

Stuart added, "I was wary of the old copy and paste, but it certainly was a help to have previous knowledge upstairs of the goings on of the club at the time. What was good though, were the extra bits I found out whilst doing the extra research. I'm forever looking for new stuff for Chesterfield and it was interesting to go over stuff again. We obtained some smashing photographs from former players that we never had access to before, but the main parts of it for me are the supporters memories".

Former members recollect various memories staff, both playing and non-playing. Current Chairman, Barrie Hubbard, shares his thoughts of Saltergate along with your average day-to-day supporter of the club. Memories are shared from the last gasp winner against Luton Town in 2004, to the late 19th century, when the Recreation ground served not only as a sports venue, but as a local fairground.

A man who played in the first ever floodlight game at Saltergate relives his experience and many more give their interesting quirky stories.

Superb colour and black and white photographs are added for equal measure.  

For more information and other CFC news, go to www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk

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