Chesterfield clinch the Vanarama National League title, putting an end to their six-year absence from the Football League.

Jamie Grimes of Chesterfield had a moment of pure jubilation as he celebrated scoring the team’s first goal in their Vanarama National League match against Boreham Wood. The match took place at the SMH Group Stadium on March 23, 2024, in Chesterfield, England.

Chesterfield’s victory over Boreham Wood secured their long-awaited return to the Football League after spending six seasons in the National League. The team put on an impressive display, winning the match 3-0. The unlikely hero of the day was centre-back Jamie Grimes, who scored two goals, with Liam Mandeville adding another just 25 seconds into the second half.

This promotion is a redemption for Chesterfield, who experienced heartbreak last season after losing the lead twice in the late stages of the game at Wembley. However, this season, Paul Cook’s men have been destined for success since their remarkable start, where they won 17 out of their first 20 games, establishing a comfortable lead at the top of the table.

With this victory, Chesterfield now sits 21 points clear of second-placed Barnet, who only have six games left in the season. The team’s success has been a result of hard work and sacrifices made by the players, as expressed by Jamie Grimes in an interview with TNT Sports. Grimes stated, “I can’t put it into words. This club, these fans all deserve it. We’ve worked so hard, the sacrifices the lads have made is incredible. It’s amazing – it means so much to everybody.”

Despite a recent dip in form, with only three wins in their last nine games, including a defeat at Halifax, Chesterfield managed to settle the nerves of their home crowd with Grimes’ opening goal. The promotion was sealed early in the second half when Armando Dobra, an Albania under-21 international, provided a cross for Mandeville to score.

Grimes then claimed the glory for the third goal, but credit must be given to Dobra once again for his exceptional play. Dobra skillfully maneuvered past his opponent and took a shot that seemed destined for the net before Grimes tapped it in from close range. This goal marked Chesterfield’s 100th in the league this season, adding to the celebration of their promotion.

As the final seconds ticked away, the Boreham Wood players gathered near the tunnel to avoid the wave of fans invading the pitch. The Chesterfield supporters were overjoyed, lifting their heroes on their shoulders in celebration.

Grimes concluded, “We’ve made a lot of sacrifices, so there will be a lot of celebrations. It’s going to be good!”