Saxby Alf Image 1 Chesterfield 1922

Description

The son of a Cumberland County rugby player, Bolsover, Derbyshire born right back Alf Saxby began his football career with New Bolsover Wesleyans after the First World War and played for Bolsover Colliery in 1920, from where he was signed by newly elected Third Division (North) club Chesterfield in the 1921 close season, making his debut in their opening fixture, a heavy defeat at Stalybridge Celtic that August, a result that cost him his place in the first team. Indeed he was on the losing end of all 6 of his matches that season through to March, but then enjoyed 7 wins from the next 10 matches before the season end as he established himself in the first eleven, missing only 6 matches during their 1922-23 campaign as they finished fourth in the division.

Forming accomplished partnerships with Jack Whitworth and Bill Dennis, Saxby came to be greatly respected for his intelligent, consistent play. He spent seven seasons at Saltergate in a competitive Chesterfield team that finished in third place in 1923-24 and fourth in 1925-26 when he missed only two matches. But he lost his place in November 1927, and although he returned for the last 8 matches of the season, he left Chesterfield in the summer of 1928 after 198 appearances for The Spireites, retiring from football due to a cartlidge injury. Saxby holds the distinction of playing the most games as an outfield player for Chesterfield without scoring a goal. Leeds United provided the opposition for his 1926 testimonial match.

His brother Tom was on Chesterfield’s books in the late 1920’s without making their first eleven.