A Second Division club in their early years, Chesterfield's main claim to fame in their recent history was in 1996-97, when John Duncan's side stunned the football world by reaching the FA Cup semi-finals as a third-tier club.

The shock didn't end there either, as they forced a replay against Middlesbrough via a 3-3 draw before going down 3-0 second time around.

Chesterfield claim to be the fourth-oldest club in the Football League, as their origins go back to 1866, but the first official record of their formation is in 1867 by the town's cricket club.

The Spireites first entered the Football League Second Division in 1899, but after failing to be re-elected in 1909, Chesterfield rejoined the Midland League, becoming champions in their first season back and again in 1920, when they adopted their current name.

On their return to the Football League in 1921 Chesterfield became founder members of Division Three North and were promoted to Division Two in 1931 as champions. They then spent the next 30 years alternating between the Second and Third Divisions.

In 1961 Chesterfield were relegated to Division Four for the first time in their history and it took them nine years to move back up – as champions under Jimmy McGuigan.

Relegation in 1983 ended a long spell in Division Three and that year Chesterfield were also saved from the brink of financial disaster by two local businessmen.

Two seasons later the Spireites became champions of the Fourth Division, setting a club record of 91 points at the end of a season that included a 13-match unbeaten run.

However, in 1989 Chesterfield were relegated again and it was a further six years before Duncan lifted the Spireites off the bottom rung thanks to a 2-0 in play-off final win over Bury.

Chesterfield returned to the bottom tier in 2000, but bounced straight back up the following season thanks to a 16-match unbeaten run, despite being hit by a nine-point deduction for "financial irregularities", which leads to the club being taken over by supporters.

While Chesterfield equalled their best League Cup run in 2006-07 by reaching the fourth round, their League performance wasn't so successful and the club dropped into League Two.