Chesterfield Football Club

Our strategic partnership

The University of Derby and Chesterfield Football Club have formed a new strategic partnership designed to provide exceptional opportunities for students, strengthen industry links, and support skills development across the region.

This collaboration will give students unrivalled access to a professional sporting environment, with opportunities including work experience placements, live project briefs, and behind-the-scenes engagement with the Club. It is a partnership that extends learning beyond the classroom and into real-world practice, helping students build confidence, capability and career-ready experience.

The agreement also aligns with the University’s continued investment in Chesterfield, including the introduction of new degree programmes at St Helena, ensuring local learners can access flexible, industry-relevant routes into higher education.

About Chesterfield Football Club

Chesterfield FC is a proud, community-focused football club with a rich heritage and a strong commitment to developing talent across the region.

At the heart of the community, the Club plays an active role in supporting local ambition, engagement and opportunity. Through this partnership, Chesterfield FC continues to expand its impact in education and skills development, helping to create meaningful pathways into the professional sports industry and beyond.

Partnering for impact

This partnership reflects a shared vision for driving positive change through education, skills development and civic engagement.

Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at the University of Derby:

“This strategic partnership with Chesterfield Football Club brings together two organisations with strong civic roots and a shared commitment to developing talent and opportunity. It reflects our ambition to work closely with industry to shape education that responds directly to employer need and regional growth.

“Through this collaboration, our students will gain valuable exposure to professional practice within a high-performing sporting environment, building the experience, insight and networks that will support their future careers. It is a partnership that will benefit our students, the Club and the wider Chesterfield community.”

John Croot, CEO of Chesterfield FC:

“We are delighted to enter this strategic partnership with the University of Derby, which marks an exciting step forward for the Club and the town. As a club with a long history and strong community focus, we are committed to playing an active role in developing skills, opportunity and aspiration across the region.

“This collaboration will provide meaningful pathways for students to engage with a professional football club, while allowing us to benefit from fresh thinking, talent and expertise. Together, we can create opportunities that support individual progression and contribute to the social and economic success of Chesterfield.”

Accelerating growth and innovation

This partnership supports the University of Derby’s ambition to deliver innovative, industry-aligned education that responds directly to regional skills needs and employer demand.

From September 2026, students studying new Chesterfield-based programmes at St Helena will benefit directly from the opportunities created through this collaboration. These programmes include:

• Business Management and Marketing
• Sport Therapy and Rehabilitation
• Sports Nutrition and Health
• Adult Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing
• Project Manager Apprenticeship

In addition, the Foundation Pathways Programme will support learners returning to education, enabling progression onto degree-level study and opening up new routes into higher education.

By integrating practical experience into academic study, this partnership empowers students with the skills, insight and confidence to succeed - while helping to drive the future growth and prosperity of Chesterfield.