The Spireites, who have endured some dark days in recent years, clinched the National League title in style with a comfortable home win against relegation-threatened Boreham Wood.
Two goals from inspirational captain Jamie Grimes - his second was Chesterfield's 100th league goal of the season - and a strike from Liam Mandeville sealed victory.
And at the final whistle, there was the mother of all pitch invasions, despite pleas over the tannoy to stay off the playing surface.
Jubilant fans eventually made their way back to the stand and to chants of 'bring on the champions' the players were brought back on to the pitch two at a time.
Once they received their medals from representatives from the league sponsors, Grimes lifted the trophy to the strains of the Queen hit 'We Are The Champions'.
Manager Paul Cook, who returned to the club in February 2022 for a second spell at the club, was lauded by fans as he picked up his winners' medal.
Cook, the only manager in the Spireites' history to win two titles, did not emerge to meet the media, but assistant Danny Webb said: "It is amazing after losing in the play-off final last year.
"It was real heartbreak and last year was horrible. We left Wembley and thought the world was going to end, but 12 months later it feels as though it has just begun.
This story is from the March 24, 2024 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 24, 2024 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
DOWSE FANS THE FLAMES
BOSS HAS HIS FIRE BACK
GAFFER DUTTON SALUTES YOUNG GUNS
SALISBURY may be kings of the late goal, but when Tony Lee put AFC Totton 1-0 up in the 78th-minute of the playoff final even manager Brian Dutton had his doubts.
THE BREAK IS OVER AS BRAKES GO BACK UP...
PAUL Holleran says Leamington are relishing another crack at National League football after enjoying a “gap year” at Step 3.
THAT ONE WAS JUST FOR YOU, CHIEF
PROUD Enfield Town boss Gavin Macpherson believes their promotion to National League South is a fitting tribute to ‘pioneer’ Dave Bryant.
BROMLEY BOYS ARE IN THE BIG TIME
HOW ABOUT these Bromley boys? The club immortalised in a much-loved book-turned film have been promoted to the EFL for the first time in their 132-year history.
'APPRENTICE' WOODMAN GETS REWARD FOR LOYALTY
ANDY WOODMAN has had history on his mind.
MY LADS ARE JUST 'EXTRA' SPECIAL!
WATCH OUT National League big boys, the Pub Team from Essex is back!
SPIREITES IN TUNE WITH DRUM-MOND
KANE DRUMMOND says he has been offered a “life-changing opportunity” after landing a dream move into the Football League with Chesterfield.
OLD PALS GIVE JOHN A ROOST
NEW Buxton manager John McGrath is calling on friends in high places as the ambitious Bucks gear up for a first-ever season of fulltime football.
AT LAST, OUR CUP HEROES HAVE EARNED THEIR SPURS
“THE BEST moment ever – better than playing Tottenham”.