Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Belgian fans to cycle 270km to watch Chesterfield
Four Belgian friends randomly decided the unglamorous Spireites were the English team for them over a few, presumably extra-strong, beers.
And in true football-brings-people-together style, it was the start of something beautiful, with the lads winning the hearts of the peeps at the Proact Stadium on their match-day visits to Derbyshire.
So much so, that the club’s stadium announcer hatched a plan for the quartet to cycle to the April 27 clash against Exeter - when the Blues, who lie four points off the top seven, could possibly be sealing a play-off place.
Chesterfield, though, weren’t flying so high when their Belgian buddies swore allegiance to them - they were, in fact, bottom of the Football League.
‘We thought it would be funny to support a team of losers,’ admitted one of the intrepid wheelers, Jules Monnier.
But now League One may beckon and, to add to the feel-good factor, the ride, which sets off from Brussels on April 24, is all in aid of charity.
‘We have fallen in love with the town and the people and want to do something to help raise funds for the best cause in town - Ashgate Hospice, which has now been open 25 years,’ reads their JustGiving page.
And in true football-brings-people-together style, it was the start of something beautiful, with the lads winning the hearts of the peeps at the Proact Stadium on their match-day visits to Derbyshire.
So much so, that the club’s stadium announcer hatched a plan for the quartet to cycle to the April 27 clash against Exeter - when the Blues, who lie four points off the top seven, could possibly be sealing a play-off place.
Chesterfield, though, weren’t flying so high when their Belgian buddies swore allegiance to them - they were, in fact, bottom of the Football League.
‘We thought it would be funny to support a team of losers,’ admitted one of the intrepid wheelers, Jules Monnier.
But now League One may beckon and, to add to the feel-good factor, the ride, which sets off from Brussels on April 24, is all in aid of charity.
‘We have fallen in love with the town and the people and want to do something to help raise funds for the best cause in town - Ashgate Hospice, which has now been open 25 years,’ reads their JustGiving page.
