Away Days - Chorley

An (easily forgettable) trip to Chorley

Well, we knew that the trip to Chorley would be difficult. But we were wrong. It was punishment and a real lesson for us in the true standards of the top sides in this division.

More on the game later, but first let's talk about the journey. It began for me at around 6.45pm with Cappy picking me up from my front door (taxi!). Further stops to pick Ashley and Sempie from his favourite haunt at the Bent Brook. After a trouble free journey up the well trodden (or should that be driven?) path, up past Botany Bay (not Australia smart-a***), and into Chorley.

Now, if anyone who is not a Trafford fan is reading this (and God knows why you'd be here, but thanks all the same!), and is still awaiting a trip to Chorley, make sure you do not walk down the approaching road from the Pilling Lane side. If you do, your eyes will be met with the most torturous sight they'll ever encounter. A car covered in pictures of Shane Richie's face. Yes, that's right. SHANE RICHIE! Alfie, from EastEnders! If this is human life, then God help us all.

As it was we entered the little alley leading to Victory Park whereupon we were met by two guys selling programmes outside the turnstiles (£2). If you like your programmes or even if you don't, make an exception, and buy it. It is well worthy of the price.

A further £9 to get in (yes,even with only a pound difference, i'm happier), we entered into Victory Park. For me, it is my fourth visit to the Magpie's home (nest?). In our previous travels Trafford had encountered varying levels of success, drawing 1-1 in our first game back in the Unibond League with Scott Barlow netted the opener before bagged the equaliser from the spot before half time. It was Barlow's first in what would become a TFC record 40 goal season,which stood until last year until Oatesy broke it (albeit 1 was in the play off semi at New Mills). We almost won it late on too, but the legend that is Dion Depeiaza struck the post.

The following season we were defeated by 4-2, with Joe Shaw netting on his debut (with Cappy calling him 'new lad', and Barlow replying to goals from Eckersley, the disgraced Terry Fearns, Chris Mason and Danny Nolan. 

The next season, we avenged this defeat by beating a much stronger Chorley side (indeed this side went on to win the play-offs) 1-0 with Tommy Bentham scoring in the first half, which was then followed by a defensive masterclass, including Greg Hall who kept an impressive clean sheet.

However, the performance tonight at Victory Park, would not quite match up to that standard.

Victory Park, i have to say, is one of my favourite grounds to visit. It resonates with the history of the club. It has a capacity of 4,100, 2,800 are covered and 900 of which can be seated within it's old fashioned raised all seater stand, with a small amount of terracing in front of it on one-side, faced by a grass bank on the other. In 1945, the original wooden structure was burnt down moments after being vacated following an FA Cup tie with Accrington Stanley. A wide stand takes its place behind the clubhouse-end goal, and there's a smaller stand at the far end; It was here where we would take our place for the first half, which will begin after everyone's fave bit of this piece it's the:

History Lesson:

Chorley FC began life originally as a Rugby League club, but switched codes to football in 1883. In 1875, playing at Dole Lane, the club officially began with Major John Lawrence becoming the incumbent captain. The club was also the brainchild of the Major.

They played as an RL club for 7 yrs before pressure mounted on the club to switch.

They joined the Lancashire Junior League in 1889, before becoming founder members of the Lancashire Alliance the next year, and won the title in 1892-93 season, finishing runners-up the next season.

They then switched to the Lancashire League in 1894, where they won the Lancs Junior Cup, beating Clitheroe 3-2 in a replay at Ewood Park. They won the league twice in 1896-97, and '98-'99.

In 1901 they moved home to Rangletts Ground, even taking the grandstand complete with hoardings with them!

In 1903, the Lancs League was reformed as the Lancashire Combination, which resulted in a two-tier expansion, Division A & B, with the club playing in the latter.

In 1904 they were evicted from Rangletts, resulting in a switch to St. George's Park.

In 1914-15 they finished bottom but were reprieved by the outbreak of war, and the resulting league suspension.

For they war years they joined the Northern Division, but disbanded in 1916, with difficulties in raising a side.

They had no side until the war ended in 1918, when the  club was resurrected after its sabbatical, initially playing friendlies. They then returned to the reformed Combination, now made up of just the one division.

During the 1920's the club experienced a golden period, winning honours for 10 consecutive seasons, before they left St. George's Park for their current Victory Park ground, named as such due to the victory in WWI. Coincidentally the groundd is adjoined to Rangletts.

They won the Lancs Combination title 11 times spanning between 1919 and 1964.

In 1968, they became founder members of the NPL, left for a season before rejoining for '70-'71.

After a two-season spell, they joined the Cheshire League ending as runners-up on three occasions.

In 1982 they rejoined the NPL for a third spell,and were crowned champions '87-'88, being promoted to the GM Vauxhall Conference.(still better than Skrill!!), before being relegated back in 1991.

In '95-'96 they reached the FA Trophy semi-final stage, but had no other success and ended up being relegated to the NPL 1st Division in 1999, where they remained until 2007 when they were allocated to the newly formed Northern section of the First Division.

There they remained until their play-off victory over AFC Fylde in 2010-'11, a 2-0 victory at home in front of 2,950, and resulted in promotion to the NPL Premier where they currently reside. During their first season that level they beat Kendal Town 2-1 at the Reebok to lift the Lancashire FA Trophy.

The season was remembered however, for the financial irregularities saga, in which a Chorley official was arrested for stealing £50,000 from the club. This resulted in delays of payments and a campaign launched to save the club with the aid of the local businesses. The man and a co-defendant, the former club accountant, were both convicted.

The game began quite even within the first 15 and we even managed to go in front, with Shelts' ball across met by the poacher Ally Brown at the back post.

However our jubilation wasn't to last. Indeed it was to be crushed to smithereens,as Chorley found their feet, and despite Trafford looking a little threatening on the counter, forcing Sam Ashton into a couple of decent stops, they found themselves 2-1 up at the break through Darren Stephenson and the deadly Josh Hine, despite our singing efforts.

This didn't show what was to come and Stephenson netted again, as Tom Read made an error of judgment, an his header flew in.

Now, Reado is a fine keeper, of which there is no doubt, and he pulled off many fine saves to prevent double figures, but this was the crucial goal, and it was a bad mistake. This appeared to influence the fourth too, as he looked to have been able to come and collect, but didn't, and another header, from Andrew Teague, flew past him. 

By now I'd lost interest, and began thinking what was for tea, when five  and six arrived, including Stephenson's hat-trick, and Tom Baker (anyone who didn't think of Doctor Who must leave at this point!), before Oatesy netted late on following Ashton's error. A day to forget for the keepers' union! Throughout this the strong Chorley contingent managed just one 'Come on Chorley' chant,which was a poor effort considering how they were last time we visited.

It did seem, as it did against Stamford, that the missing of the understanding shared between Nia and Mini is a big factor in the defeats, but both replacements Cedric and Lewis Lacy have had good individual displays, so no problems there, just the understanding doesn't exist.

The way home was in the dark, thus sparing us the nightmare sight of the Richie car, and was spent in the knowledge that 3 of our 6 early games have been very difficult with just one disappointing result, so let's not get too disheartened yet!

My TFC M.O.M: Michael Oates

My CFC M.O.M: Darren Stephenson

Ratings:

Game: 5 (10 if you're of the Chorley persuasion!)

Ground: 8 (like the old-fashioned style)

Programme 9 (very good effort. Lots of info and very professional)

Food ? (didn't try any. Too poor!!)

Fans: 6 (pleasant, but no noise from 600+? Come on boys and girls!)

Value For Money: 7 (can't argue)

Referee: 8 (got everything right, but can't give a ref 10 ever!!)

New Feature: Most Famous Person from: Chorley is..... There's so many! Josh Charnley Sam & Joel Tomkins of RL, The Tate Gallery Founder, David Unsworth, Micky Walsh (RoI), Tom Smith (LCCC), Phil Parkinson, Paul Mariner, Starsailor (Band), and I believe 'The Assett' Paul Nicholson of PDC fame.