CHESTERFIELD FC MEMORIAL GARDEN IS OFFICIALLY OPEN!

At 7pm on Sunday 28th September 2014, Chesterfield born former Chesterfield players Ernie Moss & Jamie Hewitt cut the ribbon to formally declare the Garden open.

Thanks to everyone that has helped in any small way. Many of our helpers are thanked on an acknowledgement board within the Garden, we'd love you to go along and take a peek!

Building, in terms of bricks, blocks and paving on the Chesterfield FC Memorial Garden finished after fundraising reached its target! Having started fundraising proper at the end of January 2014 and building on 10th June 2014, when the first sod was cut, builders Andy & Tony have been able to move on at a pace as the money continually rolled in. The final brick was mortared in place on 1st August and at the Gala Dinner 24 hours later we saw five memorials unveiled and had a great party night raising more funds.

“There have been many significant acts of incredible generosity by individuals, organisations and companies,” said fundraising coordinator Phil Tooley, who added: “But the one that took us over the line was something extra special.”

Tooley explained: “Our Gala Dinner at the start of this month, attended by many of our supporters and sponsors, had many emotional moments during the evening and that emotion spilled over to someone who’d not even been there.

“One of our guests was showing a neighbour photographs and reports of the event and they mentioned that, at that time, the target had reached £33,000, that being £2,000 shy of the overall target. The neighbour, impressed by the efforts made, then offered to donate the remaining £2,000, meaning we’d reached our target just a little over six months after the formal fund-raising launch.

“The Garden will continue to evolve so our fundraising task will never end, but that gesture from someone not directly involved with the club or even the Town just shows you how many extremely generous people there are in the World and that this Memorial Garden, the finest example in British Football, has touched many hearts. 

Don't stop donating, don't stop buying plaques, we'll continue to make the place a Garden for all of Chesterfield to be proud of.

Thanks to everyone who's played the tiniest part by sharing our story on social media to those that have donated big money or time, everything's been of equal importance in this story of a Memorial Garden funded by fans for fans.

Phil