Home   Maidstone   News   Article

Maidstone football fanatic goes the extra mile to support struggling club

A devoted football fan will travel far and wide to follow his favourite team despite living 200 miles away from their ground.

Kieran McAullife’s love of League One side Chesterfield has resulted in racking up some serious mileage after catching trains and buses from Maidstone to stadiums all over the country.

The 33-year-old has supported the Spireites for 15 years after adopting the Derbyshire team as his second side behind Spurs.

Kieran travels to every home and away game
Kieran travels to every home and away game

He said: “I met someone years ago when I was about 18 when I first started going out clubbing. He was from Chesterfield and we were both football mad.

“He said his second team was Tottenham and, because I was so young and impressionable, I thought I would return the favour and support Chesterfield” - Kieran McAullife

“He said his second team was Tottenham and, because I was so young and impressionable, I thought I would return the favour and support Chesterfield.

“I was amazed after meeting someone who was into football but didn’t support the run of the mill sides like Liverpool and Manchester United.

Kieran, a lottery assistant with the Royal British Legion, followed the League One strugglers on Teletext before getting a taste of the action when they lined up against Gillingham.

Kieran travels to every home and away game and collects replica shirts
Kieran travels to every home and away game and collects replica shirts

He decided to commit to the club and follow them for 46 games per season when his love of Spurs dwindled after planning problems for games.

Kieran, who lives in Downs Road, Penenden Heath, said: “After the Gillingham game I went to away games in Dagenham, Barnet and Southend.

“The more home games I was going to I was spending more time on the phone spelling my name and giving my address to buy tickets. I thought ‘I can’t be bothered with this, I might as well get a season ticket to save the phone bill’.”

Despite a dire campaign both on and off the pitch, Kieran has made it to every Chesterfield home game at the Proact Stadium thanks to his £375 season ticket.

He has also bought replica shirts from yesteryear resulting in an impressive collection.

Kieran with favourite Chesterfield player Dan Jones
Kieran with favourite Chesterfield player Dan Jones

He said: “When I went to Tottenham games I didn’t make many friends even though there were 35,000 other people there.

“At Chesterfield people would see me in my Maidstone United coat and take an interest in it.”

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More