Chesterfield’s modern 10,400 capacity all seater stadium is located around one and a half miles north of the town centre. On one side is the Van Yard Main Stand. This stand has a capacity of 2,902 seats on a single tier, with a glass fronted executive lounge at the rear. The players emerge from the tunnel at the centre of the stand, whilst the centre seating of the stand is taken up by the Directors Box, Sponsors and Legends seating areas, with the press seating situated towards the North end wing section. The stand has a graceful curved roof with white steelwork and a glazed windshield at the north end, with a ground floor and top level viewing area for disabled supporters and their helpers in the South wing section. At one side of the stand, towards the North Stand is an unusual looking stadium control tower which extends beyond the touchline.

Opposite on the East Side is the Karen Child Community Stand which is similar in appearance, having a curved roof line and a capacity of 3,144 seats with glazed windshields on either side, but with no executive facilities at the rear. The television camera gantry is situated in this stand below the roof steelwork. Both ends are similar affairs, both being single tiered, covered and housing just over 2,000 supporters. Unlike the other stands the roofs on these ends are not curved, but again glass windshields are in place on both sides. The only real difference is that the Motan Colortronic (South) Stand has two ground floor level disabled viewing areas as opposed to one in the Harold Lilleker & Sons (North) Stand. The ground is complemented at present by four modern slim corner floodlight pylons which each have 14 lights on four rows.

The stadium has a pleasing balanced feel with no single stand dominating the whole ground. Externally there are some nice touches too, with the ‘wall of fame’ from the clubs ‘buy a brick scheme’, in the South and North West corners and wide pathways that lead through the car park to the turnstile blocks from Sheffield Road. There is an electric scoreboard at one end of the ground located on the roof of the away fan stand and another larger LED screen in the South East corner. The only minor downside is that one corner of the stadium is overlooked by a Tesco’s store and car park, which detracts from the overall look.

Just across Sheffield Road from the Proact Stadium is the Glassworks Pub. This pub has been recently refurbished and has up to eight real ales on tap, four of which are from the local Brampton Brewery, who also own the pub. It welcomes both home and away supporters. Further up Sheffield Road (a five minute walk, passing a handy Chinese/Fish & Chip shop on the way) and turning right into King Street North is a micropub called the Beer Parlour. As well as ales and ciders it has a number of bottled beers for sale. Although welcoming to away fans it is on the small side. Further up the Sheffield Road is the Derby Tup. This pub normally has ten real ales available. Although the pub does not sell food, the landlord allows customers to bring in food from outside. Further on up Sheffield Road on the right is the well placed North Sea Fish and Chip shop, which was doing a brisk trade on my last visit. Whilst up on the right is the Travellers Rest pub and further up on the left the Red Lion pub, which serves beers from the Old Mill Brewery and shows Sky Sports.

Other pubs located near to the stadium such as the Stonegravels, do not admit away fans. Whilst the nearby Donkey Derby Pub which also offers food, is very busy on matchdays and is predominantly for home supporters.

 

Sarah Greenan adds; ‘A pub I would recommend for away supporters is the Rutland Arms on Stephenson Place in Chesterfield Town Centre. If you arrive by train and walk towards the town centre it’s just upon on your left – the pub is next to the huge church with the Crooked Spire – you can’t miss it! The Rutland is a very old pub and in recent years has operated as a traditional ale house with a huge range of well-kept real ales and good food as well. It welcomes home and away supporters and is a pleasure to visit. In warm weather customers spill out into the adjacent churchyard’.

Roland Gent adds; ‘Across the road from the Rutland on Holywell Cross is Einstein’s a “themed” German Bar, which serves steins of lager and “authentic” German food. On the other side of the Crooked Spire from the Rutland serving a dazzling selection of real ales from the Chesterfield-based Raw Brewery is the White Swan. Further round the Crooked Spire church is the Rectory. It is family friendly and serves food, as well as a large selection of hand-pulled real ales. Just down St Mary’s gate from the Crooked Spire is Wetherspoons, the eternal football fans’ favourite Spa Lane Vaults, it does what it says on the tin and usually sells at least one Thornbridge beer from Bakewell.’

Roland continues; ‘If you take a two minute walk away from the area around the crooked spire church and head for the market area. Then in the Shambles you’ll find the Royal Oak a tiny pub which is the oldest pub in Chesterfield. It serves real ale including guest beers often Jennings. In the Market Place is The Market, a lucky coincidence that it was called that, it was one of the first real ale pubs in Chesterfield and still does a roaring trade there’s a good selection of Malt Whiskey to be had here. The Portland is the second Wetherspoons in Chesterfield sitting on the opposite side of the market square from the Market pub. If you venture past the Portland heading towards West Bars, you’ll find a micropub called the Chesterfield Alehouse, it’s in a shop unit and has enthusiastic staff that know their beers.’

If walking up to the stadium from Chesterfield Railway Station and you like good ale, then you may wish to make a small detour to the Chesterfield Arms. The pub which is situated on Newbold Road is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and has normally ten ales and six ciders available.’