A Bounder and a Cad

Despite the terrible weather of the last week assaulting the country, the train services out of London all seemed to be running well.

I'd briefly passed through Kings Cross - full of red-shirts off north to the Mackem -v- Arsenal game - as I wandered off for breakfast at Da Vincis.

The trip from St Pancras to Chesterfield was very pleasant - a table in first class to myself with just a quick visit from Lance when he joined the service at Derby.

On the way up, I'd had a text from Colin 'You Need Glasses, Ref' Fletcher - for the second week running he was unable to make the game. He was treading the boards this weekend and he was needed to help rebuild sets for the evening performance. That's showbiz, dahling!

On arrival Trevor was waiting for us - he only lives a bus ride away - we were expecting Brian too but there was no sign of him so we headed off to the pub.

(right) Chesterfield Arms

The Brown family who run the Chesterfield Arms had actually contacted DAFTS HQ to suggest we give them a try.

Their normal opening time was noon but they were happy to open earlier for us and so we arrived there just after 11am with manageress Jo waiting for us.

There was an excellent choice of beers on offer. The first that we tried were the two houses beers from Leatherbritches - a golden ale, Bounder (3.8%), and the darker bitter Cad (4.0%) - both of which are just £2 a pint.

Both were good brews and in excellent condition - and it was pleasing to be offered the choice of whether we wanted our beer through a sparkler (we did).

In addition to these two there were also: Wells Bombardier, Wychwood Dogs Bollocks, Everards Tiger, Woodefords Wherry, Oakham Black Hole Porter, Black Hole Brewery's Supernova and a remembrance beer from Wyre Piddle called Piddle Remembers.

We all tried the latter four beers over the course of the next few hours and they were all in tip-top condition. The Supernova was a strong-ish pale ale, quite lager-y, whilst the Black Hole Porter at 5.5% was a good finish to the session.

All this plus six ciders - so Liz will be quite happy when they visit here in December - pork pies, cobs, pickled eggs and a cheeseboard.

Jo told me that they'd running the pub since February having previously run the Old Poets Corner in Ashover which had won Derbyshire Pub of the Year under their reign.

(left) Inside the Chesterfield Arms at opening time

They were endeavouring to bring the same winning formula to this pub as well - apparently all part of Project William by Everards (who own the pub) to bring in high quality tenants who are able to earn better-than-normal margin by selling their own beers.

Prior to the new management, the pub was known mainly as an away fans pub but it seems that the home fans have now cottoned onto what a good pub this is and have started to come here too.

We were sat by a roaring real fire debating the football issues of the day by the time Brian and John Bell joined us - Terry Henry's goal got more than it's fair share of debate as did Brian Clough after I'd finally remembered to bring Provided You Don't Kiss Me for Lance (after he'd won it in last season's London Millers raffle).

I'd had a sneak read of the first chapter on the way up and it looks like a good read. Must put it on my list for Santa.

I took a call from Doug Embleton who was enquiring about the weather down here - he and Pete Ashmore were stuck in slow moving traffic on the M1 in what he said was a bit of a pea-souper. Expect to see him when we see him.

As time went on, the pub filled up nicely but it was very disappointing that no other Darlo fans had found the pub. It's one of those places - much like the Bulls Head in Burslem - where home and away fans can mix and chat in a friendly environment without any hassle.

(above) Trevor gets the lowdown from Lance

For once we could leave it quite late before leaving for the game - the pub is handily situated about 300 yards from the away end - but the forecast rain had started and it looked a bit inclement. Looks like we were going to be wet on the outside as well today...