Spireites stage successful Women at the Game event

Chesterfield’s Women at the Game event, staged last weekend when the Spireites faced Eastleigh at the Proact, has been hailed as a great success.

Held as part of a nationwide initiative to encourage more females to attend football matches, the event was attended by around 60 women. They mixed with VIP guests in the HUB, including the Chesterfield mayoress, Anne Brittain and former Miss World Europe Stephanie Hill, before taking their seats in the stand.

Associate Director Alison Richardson, who organised the event, was delighted with the response. She received some very positive feedback from those in attendance, some of whom were attending a football match for the very first time, such as the comments below:

‘I really enjoyed the match and the atmosphere. It brought back happy memories of going to football with my dad when I was a child and I’ll definitely be coming back to watch the Spireites again.’

‘This was my first football match and I have planned to go back and watch another with my family.’

‘Was a great first introduction to football. Felt very comfortable, met some lovely people, really enjoyed the game and the cupcakes were awesome!!’

Alison added: “I would like to thank the Community Trust for their help in putting the event on and thanks also to everyone who took part.”

Women at the Game was introduced by the late Jacqui Forster. Her widower, Pete Baker, who attended the match, praised the club’s efforts. He said: “Jacqui loved her football, going to games since she was five. She wanted to reach out to women who liked football but had never attended a live game, to remove the fear factor of what’s beyond the turnstiles.”

“It was great to see Chesterfield putting a lot of effort in on Saturday and get a large number of ladies to attend the match in a welcoming environment – exactly what Jacqui wanted.”

“She would have been so happy with what was achieved. I loved the themed cakes, too. Top job, Chesterfield!”