Chorley F.C.

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Chorley
Full nameChorley Football Club
Nickname(s)The Magpies
Founded1883; 142 years ago (1883)
GroundVictory Park
Capacity4300
(975 seated)
ChairmanJamie Vermiglio
ManagerAndy Preece
LeagueNational League North
2023–24National League North, 4th of 24
Websitehttp://www.chorleyfc.com/
Current season

Chorley Football Club is a semi-professional football club based in Chorley, Lancashire, England. They currently compete in the National League North, the sixth tier of English football, and play their home matches at Victory Park. The club was founded as a rugby union club in 1875 but switched to football in 1883.

Their best performance in the FA Cup was in 2020–21 when they reached the fourth round after a 2–0 win against Derby County in the third round, having previously reached the second round twice in 1986–87 and 1990–91. Their best performance in the FA Trophy was in 1995–96 when they reached the semi-finals.

The club's home colours are black and white stripes, hence the nickname the Magpies.[1]

History

19th century

Archibald Pinnell, goalkeeper for Chorley in the 1890s.

Chorley Football Club was formed in 1883 after switching from

Henry Hibbert, who was to become one of the most famous figures ever connected with the town as Member of Parliament for Chorley,[3] took on the role of secretary. James Lawrence became the club treasurer.[4]

After playing rugby for seven years, pressure was on Chorley to switch to playing football instead, and in 1883 the switch was made.[citation needed]

Chorley joined the Lancashire Junior League in 1889, and the following year became a member of the Lancashire Alliance, a league which they were crowned champions of in 1892–93 and runners-up in 1893–94.[5] In 1894 Chorley joined the Lancashire League, becoming champions twice in 1896–97 and 1898–99.[5]

The Lancashire Junior Cup came to Chorley in 1894, nine years after the trophy's institution, and their win was the first of a record number of successes for the Magpies. They beat Clitheroe 3–2 in a replayed final at Ewood Park, Blackburn after a 2–2 draw.[4] Chorley bid farewell to the Lancashire Alliance at the end of the 1893–94 season and joined the Lancashire League, winning the championship in 1896–97 which also saw them sell former Bolton Wanderers attacker Jack Lyden to Wolverhampton Wanderers for £100 (around £6,000 in today's money), a substantial fee for a non-league player considering that this was eight years prior to the first £1,000 transfer deal.[4]

Chorley won another championship in 1898–99, but was clouded by a notice to quit their Dole Lane Ground, and the loss of captain Johnny Parker, who had broken his leg. In May 1899 Chorley applied to join the

Football League's Second Division, coming sixth in voting, with the top two being elected.[4]

20th century

Chorley team in the 1907–08 season.
1923 Lancashire Combination-winning Chorley team.

September 1901 saw Chorley move to the Rangletts Ground, taking even the grandstand and hoardings, and 1903 saw the Lancashire League restructured as the Lancashire Combination, which was extended in size to encompass two divisions, A and B, with Chorley playing in the Combination B Division.[4] Life at the Rangletts Ground was short lived, with Chorley being evicted in 1904, and relocated to nearby St. George's Park. The 1904–05 season saw Chorley finish their highest position – fifth – for six years.[4]

Chorley suffered their worst season in 1914–15, finishing bottom of the league, but the outbreak of the

First World War saved them from relegation, for the Combination, like the Football League, suspended its competitions in 1915. During the war Chorley joined the Northern Division but due to difficulties in raising a team they were disbanded early in 1916.[4] Chorley did not have a team for the next two seasons, but in August 1918 formed a side for friendly matches. After the re-formation of the Combination S. Heaton became the club chairman, Charlie Holgate the secretary, and T.J. "Dod" Gaskell the treasurer.[4]

Chorley took their place in the reassembled Combination (there was only one division by now) with what proved to be one of their finest-ever teams. The 1920s were to bring a phrase of glory and the team was among the honours for ten successive seasons. But the beginning of one era coincided with the end of another. Just 14 years after playing their first home game at St. Georges Park, Chorley announced in August 1919 that they had acquired a new ground. It was to come into use the following year and was to be a truly permanent home. The ground, situated in Duke Street and adjoining Rangletts Recreation Ground, a former Magpie base, was named

Victory Park to commemorate the end of the war.[4]

Chorley did not achieve notable success in any league until the 1919–20 season when they were crowned champions of the Lancashire Combination First Division, a league they won a total of eleven times between 1919 and 1964.[5]

In 1968–69 Chorley were one of the founder members of the Northern Premier League, left at the end of the season, and rejoined in the 1970–71 season.[6] Chorley joined the Cheshire League in the 1972–73 season, finishing as runners-up in 1975–76, and another two times in 1976–77 and 1981–82.[5]

Chorley rejoined the Northern Premier League in 1982–83, and became champions in

Football Conference – the fifth tier of the English football league system. Chorley spent two seasons in the Conference before being relegated back to the Northern Premier League in 1990–91.[2]

21st century

Chorley spent the first ten years of the 21st century in the Northern Premier League Division 1, the 8th tier of English Football (divided into the Northern Premier League North and Northern Premier League South in 2007). They almost invariably finished each season in the bottom half of the league table during this period, though they did finish fifth at the end of the 2002–03 season and qualified for the promotion play-offs, losing to Radcliffe Borough in the final.[citation needed] Chorley achieved promotion to the Northern Premier League Premier Division at the end of the 2010–11 season, finishing 3rd and going on to beat AFC Fylde 2–0 in the play-off final.[citation needed]

After spending three seasons in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, Chorley achieved a further promotion as 2013-14 league champions, moving up to the Conference North (6th tier of English Football).[citation needed]

In their first season in the Conference North, Chorley came close to achieving consecutive promotions when they finished fourth and reached the promotion play-off final, but lost 3–2 to Guiseley.[citation needed] At the end of that season manager Garry Flitcroft stepped down from his post and was replaced by assistant manager, Matt Jansen.

The Football Conference was renamed as the National League at the start of the 2015–16 season[citation needed] and Chorley finished eighth in the National League North. The following season they again reached the play-off final, losing 2–1 to FC Halifax Town after extra-time.[citation needed]

The 2017–18 season saw Chorley reach the promotion play-offs yet again, but they were beaten 2–1 by Harrogate Town in the semi-finals.[citation needed] Before the beginning of the 2018–19 season manager Matt Jansen left his post[7] and was replaced by his assistant, Jamie Vermiglio[8]

Chorley started the 2018–19 season by winning their first seven league matches and remaining unbeaten for their first twelve. They spent the majority of the season at the top of the table, but were overtaken right at the end by Stockport County, who won the title by one point, with Chorley finishing second. In their play-off semi-final, with the score 1–1 after extra-time, Chorley beat Altrincham 3–1 on penalties. The score in the final between Chorley and Spennymoor Town, at Victory Park, Chorley, was 0–0 after 90 minutes. Chorley went 1–0 up in extra-time but Spennymoor quickly equalised and so the contest went to a penalty shoot-out, which Chorley won 4–3, thereby achieving promotion to the National League, the 5th tier of English Football.[citation needed]

In the first round of the 2020–21 FA Cup, as a sixth-tier club they defeated League One side and 2013 champions Wigan Athletic.[9][10] In the second round, they beat another League One side, Peterborough United.[11] Chorley would go on to the third round to defeat EFL Championship side Derby County with a 2–0 victory and was drawn to face Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers at home in the fourth round, which subsequently saw Chorley's FA Cup run come to an end with a 0–1 defeat.[12]

Financial irregularities

In October 2011 a Chorley F.C. official was arrested and bailed on suspicion of stealing over £50,000 from the club.[13] As a result of this the club was forced to delay payment to players and launched a campaign to save the club with the help of local businesses.[14]

In March 2013 Ian Daniels pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to charges relating to the theft from the club. His codefendant, former club accountant Philip Haslam, had already pleaded guilty a few weeks earlier. Both men received custodial sentences[15]

Stadium

Chorley play at Victory Park. The ground has a capacity of 4,300, of which 2,800 is covered standing and 900 is covered seating.[16]

Construction of Victory Park was completed in 1920 at a cost of £1,000. The stadium was named to commemorate the end of the

First World War.[17] The ground was very different from the Victory Park of today, as both ends of the ground were exposed to the weather and there was no concrete terracing. The grandstand was a modest wooden structure with accommodation for 600.[4] Chorley, with the aid of £654 raised by a special bazaar, bought Victory Park in 1926 for £868. The Supporters' Club provided £100.[4]

In November 1945 a fire broke out and destroyed the main wooden stand shortly after it had been vacated following an FA Cup tie against

Accrington Stanley,[18] which had been attended by a crowd of 4,019. The stand was practically destroyed and gutted all but the dressing rooms, and the efforts of firemen could not prevent the loss of valuable property, equipment and playing kit. Work on the new grandstand began in 1947, costing £5,500 – five and a half times the price of the original one.[4]

Statistics and records

Peter Watson holds the record for the highest number of goals scored in a single season with 71 (57 league goals) in the 1960–61 season.[19] Peter Watson also holds the highest aggregate goalscorer record of 372 (287 league, 85 cup) between September 1958 and February 1966.[19]

The club's widest victory margin was their 14–1 home win against

Morecambe in April 1946.[19] Their widest victory margin during wartime was 16–0 against Leyland Motors in September 1944.[19]

Chorley's record attendance was 15,153 v

Victory Park Chorley's record attendance was 9,679 in an FA Cup 4th qualifying round match against Darwen on 15 November 1932.[16]

Players

Current squad

As of 28 March 2025 [20]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK England ENG Matthew Urwin (captain)
2 DF Wales WAL Adam Henley
3 DF England ENG Mark Ellis
4 DF England ENG Scott Wilson
5 DF England ENG Harvey Smith
6 MF England ENG Joe Nolan
7 MF Scotland SCO Kristi Montgomery (on loan from Blackburn Rovers)
8 MF England ENG Mike Calveley
9 FW England ENG Jack Sampson
10 FW England ENG Tom Carr
11 FW The Gambia GAM Momodou Touray
12 DF England ENG Jack Moore (on loan from Blackpool)
13 MF England ENG Billy Whitehouse
14 MF England ENG George Horbury
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 DF England ENG Adam Blakeman
17 DF England ENG Kwame Boateng
19 MF England ENG Craig Hewitt
21 FW Bermuda BER Kole Hall
22 MF Slovakia SVK Milan Lalkovič
23 DF England ENG Warren Clarke
24 DF England ENG Musa Jobe
28 DF England ENG Jonah Kampos-Green
30 GK England ENG Steven Drench
31 GK England ENG Ollie Green
32 MF England ENG Liam Birchall
34 DF England ENG Cole McGhee (on loan from Preston North End)
37 MF England ENG Courtney Senior (on loan from Rochdale)
40 DF England ENG Jack Leckie (on loan from Hull City)

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
18 DF England ENG Sam Bird (on loan at Widnes)
20 FW England ENG Jacob Holland-Wilkinson (on loan at Widnes)
25 MF England ENG Harrison Kay (on loan at Pilkington)
No. Pos. Nation Player
26 GK England ENG Kier Barry (on loan at Longridge Town)
27 MF England ENG Sonny Reeves (on loan at Mossley)
29 MF England ENG Noel Brindle (on loan at Wythenshawe)

Club officials

As of 18 March 2024[21][22][23][24] [25] [26] [27]

Technical Staff
Chairman Jamie Vermiglio England
Chief Executive Terry Robinson England
Manager Andy Preece England
Assistant Manager Chris Anderson England
Goalkeeping Coach Steven Drench England
Strength & Conditioning Coach Christian Hughes South Africa
Physio Robbie Harrison England
Groundsman TBA

Notable former players

Players who played for Chorley who also received at least one international cap for their country:

Records

Honours

References

  1. ^ "Chorley".
  2. ^ a b [1]
  3. ^ "Sir Henry Hibbert (Hansard)". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard).
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l ""In Black & White"" Chorley Football Club's Official History by John F. Newman.
  5. ^ a b c d e [2]
  6. ^ "Football Club History Database - Chorley".
  7. ^ "Surprise As Jansen Steps Down As Chorley Manager - The Vanarama National League". www.thenationalleague.org.uk. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  8. ^ "Vermiglio is targeting promotion with Chorley after succeeding former Rovers ace Jansen". Lancashire Telegraph. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  9. ^ "Sixth-Tier Chorley Stuns 2013 Winners Wigan As Emirates FA Cup Shocks Continue". The Football Association. 8 November 2020.
  10. ^ "Chorley FC players celebrate FA Cup upset at Wigan with Adele singalong". The Guardian. 9 November 2020.
  11. ^ "HIGHLIGHTS: Peterborough United 1-2 Chorley". BBC. 28 November 2020.
  12. ^ Stone, Simon (22 January 2021). "Chorley 0–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Vitinha's superb goal sees Wolves past non-league opponents". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  13. ^ "Chorley FC official bailed in theft probe". 5 October 2011.
  14. ^ "Battle to save Chorley Football Club". Chorley Guardian. 6 December 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  15. ^ "Guilty". Archived from the original on 6 April 2013. Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ a b Locke, Mark (24 May 2012). "Ground". Chorley FC. Archived from the original on 3 May 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  17. ^ [3]
  18. ^ "Ground of the Week: Chorley Nissan Victory Park Stadium".
  19. ^ a b c d e ""The official match programme of Chorley Football Club"". Chorley Football Club – with passion we strive – 10 March 2009.
  20. ^ "Chorley FC 1st Team Squad". Chorley F.C. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  21. ^ Locke, Mark. "Board of Directors". Chorley FC. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  22. ^ Locke, Mark. "Management Team". Chorley FC. Archived from the original on 25 October 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  23. ^ Locke, Mark (1 June 2012). "Staff & Volunteers". Chorley FC. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  24. ^ "Directory/Contacts – Chorley FC". Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  25. ^ "Directory/Contacts – Chorley FC". Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  26. ^ "Anderson in as new Assistant – Chorley FC". Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  27. ^ "Drench signs up for dual role – Chorley FC". Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  28. ^ a b c d e f Locke, Mark (30 May 2012). "Welcome to Chorley FC". Chorley FC. Archived from the original on 3 September 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
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