Still a Spireite and always will be.
However strange things happen along lifes bumpy road.
First got interested in football after the world cup win in 66’ ( yes, I am that old). Watched the game in the White Swan Hotel in Tenby whilst on holiday. Decided to go to a game start of the next season. That was the start of a love hate relationship with Chesterfield FC that last has lasted over forty years.
Watched them home and away through thick and thin (mostly thin) through the sixties and seventies until I headed south in 1980 and rolled up in downtown Maidenhead. Still went to every game I could and resisted the temptation to go to Everton games with a new neighbour and latterly Watford games when I worked in a studio full off Hornets supporters.
The change came in the early 90’s when I moved to Wokingham. I had cut back on going to games due to a huge morgage, two kids, two cats, two dogs and a wife who loved holidays.
Neighbours now were Royals fans and on a fateful day in 1993 I agreed to go along to Elm Park for the first time not as an away fan. Cannot even remember who we played now. Surprisingly felt myself enjoying it. Few pints in the Rendezvous, great banter and piss taking, decrepit ground, and a game of football. Perfect Saturday afternoon !
The whole day was so uncannily like going to a game at Chesterfield that I felt instantly ‘at home’.
Went to the next away game, Fulham on Boxing Day. Did not miss a home game for the rest of the season and bought a season ticket for the following season. Had a season ticket ever since.
Suppose the real moment of truth came in Feb 2000 when the Royals played Chesterfield at Saltergate. After a drunken Friday night and more than a few pints before the game with the old ‘gang’ from Chesterfield came the moment when I turned right on Saltergate and walked up to the away end on Compton Street and, for the very first time, watched a game as an ‘away’ supporter at Chesterfield. Very strange feeling.
Still watch for their results every week, go to a game whenever I can and talk to old friends every week to pick over the bones of the latest Spireite success or disaster.
At least I cannot be accused of being a glory hunter and having a Man U, Chelsea etc as a second team!