Chorley Preview

Who are Chorley?

Chorley are one of our most frequently played opponents.
We’ve got so many links with our friends from up the road that we barely know where to start. They were formed 140 years ago this year, after switching from Rugby Union, and are nicknamed the Magpies.

We’ve met before

If we look just at the first team we’ve played them 72 times, excluding the game in October 2020 which we won 1-0 because the season was cancelled and therefore it does not count. Overall we have played 72, won 34 times, drawing 17 and losing 21. On the road, we don’t fare as well from our 32 trips to Chorley, winning only 7, drawing 12 and losing 13.

The very first time we played them was on 29th September 1888 in our 5th ever game, shortly after we were formed as Southport Central. We won that one 6-0 at our first ground, the Sports Ground on Sussex Road.

If you want to know more about that game and our very first season, then this is the book “The Town’s Game: The Origins of Rugby and Association Football in Southport”, which is available to buy from Amazon right now from as little as 4.99 for the Kindle version and 9.99 in Paperback.

The last time we met was the first of 7 home games that we had in November. Played infront of 1390, we won 2-1 thanks to two goals from Jordan Archer.

The last time we visited Victory Park was in March last year where the scoreline was revered, Archer also getting the goal on that occasion.

Players known to have played for both teams

We have had so many players play for both clubs that we could be here all night if we listed them. There’s obviously some we could mention, Graham Barrow who has just this week been appointed the assistant manager at Wigan Athletic, Danny Lloyd who has to go down as one of our biggest misses considering the Football League career he went on to have, Chris Simm, Chris Almond, Lee Trundle, Harvey Cunningham, obviously Marcus Carver, and we could go on and on. 

Martin Clark we still can’t trace so we appeal for anyone who knows of his whereabouts to let me know formerplayers@southportfootballclub.co.uk

In their current squad we know quite a few too…

The manager is obviously Andy Preece, then they’ve got Steve Drench as their number 2 keeper and GK coach, Mat Challoner and Adam Blakeman, Jack Sampson and Andy Owens (who is on Dual reg)

And obviously in our squad we’ve got Adam Anson had a spell at Chorley too.

Ref Watch

Our referee for the derby that isn’t a derby is none other than James Westgate. He is obviously highly regarded as one of the leagues top officials (which isn’t difficult in fairness) having taken charge of Gateshead’s title winning draw to Chorley last season as well as the York Chorley play off game. Port fans will have less than fond memories of him however after his performance in our away fixture vs Alfreton in March 2022, disallowing a last minute Port winner. So far this campaign, he has taken charge of 14 NLN games including our 4-1 win at home to BPA and most recently, he was at the Bee Arena on Saturday where Kiddy beat Peterborough Sports 2-1.

Key Info 

Chorley’s ground – Victory Park, PR7 3DU

3pm Kick Off

Chorley’s ground opened up in 1920. Named in commemoration of the winning of the First World War. Victory Park has a capacity of 4,300 with room for 975 to be seated. The pitch is a non artificial grass surface at Chorley’s ground.

Now at the time of writing this – there is no indication officially that this game is segregated. However, I have heard it is but I am awaiting for official confirmation of this. I have contacted Chorley FC and am awaiting their reply.

How to get there?

Car (From Haig Avenue)

Simple, it is around a 45 min drive (around 20 miles)

The quickest way is to go up to the Tarleton bypass (A565) and turn right at the roundabout you get to when the road splits off to Preston. Take Carr House Lane (B5247) through Bretherton and Croston. Follow the A581 through Eccleston, Euxton and Charnock Richard before you eventually reach Chorley. The ground is located behind the houses on the A6 – Note the roads are tight around the ground.

Google maps route link: https://goo.gl/maps/ctPmpUYbZ1txbhAE7

Parking

There is no car park at Chorley, people park in the local streets around the ground, please be cautious and respectful to residents (i.e. dont block any driveways).

Public Transport

A couple of ways really – 

You can take the X2 bus from Southport to Preston train station and then jump on the train from Preston to Chorley 

Or a better option may be to jump on the train at either Southport or Meols Cop for a service bound for Wigan. Change from Wigan Wallgate to Wigan North Western (literally across the road) and then get on a service bound for Blackpool North which will take you to Chorley. 

Chorley Train Station is around a 10-15 min walk from the ground.

There are no current pre-planned trainstrikes for this date.

Tickets

Cash turnstiles in operation. 

Prices are:

• Adults: £15
• Over 65s: £12
• 17-20s: £7
• 12-16s: £5
• Under 12s: Free (with a full paying adult)

Ticket link: https://chorleyfc.ktckts.com/

Food

Pies in the ground are very good. Highly recommend the steak pie. There are other things such as hotdogs and other confectionary to get in the ground. There is a KFC down the road from the ground.