Meet the Chesterfield family split between the Spireites and Swindon Town ahead of tonight’s game

Roger Collis’ family is unique in being split between both Chesterfield and Swindon fans - and they will all be in attendance at the SMH Group Stadium tonight to see who can claim the early season bragging rights.

The family are originally from Swindon, and are loyal Swindon Town fans, but moved to Chesterfield 29 years ago. Helen Bonar and James Collis, Roger’s children, have raised families of their own in Chesterfield – and now there is also a strong Spireite contingent hoping for a win on two fronts tonight.

Helen said: “I thought there probably weren’t many families located in Chesterfield, that are split in the way that our family is.

“Me and my family are from Swindon, and we moved to Chesterfield in 1995. That’s where the Swindon Town support comes from - my dad and brother are massive Swindon Town fans and they'll be with us at the game tonight, and my mum is coming as well.

“We’ve lived and grown up in Chesterfield for most of our lives - I was seven when I moved so I’ve had most of my grown up life here.

“My dad has been to loads of Swindon Town games - he’s a big fan. Him and my brother have followed them all over, and now it’s the irony of them playing our local team where we live.”

Helen added that her brother James Collis eventually married Lisa, who is a Spireite – leading to the family footballing rivalry that is set to be played out on the pitch later today.

She said: “The Chesterfield fans in the family come from my brother marrying someone locally - she’s a Chesterfield fan and their two children are Chesterfield fans.

“I’ve got three children with my husband Andrew, who are between eight and four – and they’re split. The eldest one, Niamh, supports Chesterfield and is a massive Chesterfield fan. The younger two boys, Finn and Dylan, have decided to support Swindon Town.”

James and his wife Lisa have previously appeared in the Derbyshire Times - ahead of Chesterfield taking on Swindon Town in the Football League Trophy Final back in 2012.

The Spireites took the spoils that day with a 2-0 win over Swindon, but Helen said that a draw might be the best result for everyone this evening.

She added: “We’ve already had the chants in the house this morning. The boys have already been singing Swindon songs from quite early today.

“I had to take the kids out and the two boys were singing ‘who are ya’ to their sister.

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“They definitely think they’re going to win - a draw might be the best result to keep everybody happy - but I’m sure they wouldn’t each say that.”