[Archived] Chorley V AFC Fylde - play-off final this FRIDAY

[Charlie Magpie]

Just a reminder that the Evo-Stik Division One North play-off final takes place on Friday, 6th May at Chorley's Victory Park, kick-off 7:45pm.

Unfortunately, following consultations between the Evo-Stik League and the two competing clubs, the admission prices for Friday night's play-off final have been increased slightly.

There is no requirement to buy a ticket, admission is pay on the gate and the new prices are confirmed as Adults £8 and Concessions £4.

A cracking match is in prospect with a crowd of over 2,000 anticipated. Please come along and give local non-league football you support!!

[Gav]

Just a reminder that the Evo-Stik Division One North play-off final takes place on Friday, 6th May at Chorley's Victory Park, kick-off 7:45pm.

Unfortunately, following consultations between the Evo-Stik League and the two competing clubs, the admission prices for Friday night's play-off final have been increased slightly.

There is no requirement to buy a ticket, admission is pay on the gate and the new prices are confirmed as Adults £8 and Concessions £4.

A cracking match is in prospect with a crowd of over 2,000 anticipated. Please come along and give local non-league football you support!!

We're certainly looking at going Charlie Magpie.

TRS are you bothering pal?

[Ozz]

I'm going.

[AggyBlue]

Well done Chorley on gaining promotion with a 2 - 0 win tonight over Fylde.

A brace from Steve 'Fozzy' Foster, the second a thirty yard screamer into the top corner won the game for the Magpies.

[pmccrover]

Second was scored by Jack Dorney. Ex Rover's academy striker Foster had a great game, worked his socks off and never gave the Fylde defence a minutes peace. Got his deserved goal in 1st half. Well done to the Magpies and congratulations to Flitty and Janny on leading the lads to promotion. Great crowd too - 2950.

[Hughesy]

Well done to Flitcroft.

[Ozz]

Well done Chorley on gaining promotion with a 2 - 0 win tonight over Fylde.

A brace from Steve 'Fozzy' Foster, the second a thirty yard screamer into the top corner won the game for the Magpies.

The second goal was great. The Fylde right half looked to advance down the flank, but Chorleys #14 (No idea of his name!) tracked back, managed a great tackle , won possesion and worked it back along the line. Then a one-two freed up some space, laid it off to the striker who pinged it and it wobbled through the air right into the top corner-all this right in front of where I was stood. Foster looked a good player at this level, and the whole Chorley side played well. The turning point was when at 1-0 up the Chorley keeper made what everyone called a Schmeichel-esque star jump point blank save to keep Chorley in front., Shortly after they scored the above mentioned second goal.

The crowd of nearly 3,000 was excellent-I reckon there was only about 200 from Kirkham, making it easily Chorleys best turn out of home fans in years. And no hint of the trouble that occurred against Chester. Chester also went up, as champions, and with the prospect of playing both Chester and FC United next season, I bet Chorley police station is looking for volunteers for extra overtime in the next 12 months.

[Gav]

The crowd of nearly 3,000 was excellent-I reckon there was only about 200 from Kirkham, making it easily Chorleys best turn out of home fans in years. And no hint of the trouble that occurred against Chester. Chester also went up, as champions, and with the prospect of playing both Chester and FC United next season, I bet Chorley police station is looking for volunteers for extra overtime in the next 12 months.

We couldn’t make it over in the end Oz, but how was the non-league experience?

I’ve got a mate and my next door neighbour telling me it’s a far better experience these days than watching sterile Premiership football, they both still go to Ewood though, both have season tickets.

Great banter between the fans, Chester not included , you can have a beer whilst watching the match and players actually give a s**t.

How did you find it? Could it ever replace going to Ewood?

[Ozz]

I've only had the two games this season Gav-Chester and Fydle. The Chester game was not really a fair test of the week in week out routine-it was mental. The game on Friday was good, lots of effort and commitment. The good players stand out a mile too.

I think for quality of skill and overall football, obviously there is no contest. I've seen the worlds best players at Ewood in the last 20 years and seen some breathtaking stuff. I suspect you rarely see that at Chorley and so on, and when you look at it from a bang-for-buck view, esp at Ewood, it's a no brainer.

But the closeness of the non league game, the immediacy of it all, and the connection between fans and players will hold a lot for many supporters. From what I have seen, so far I can take it or leave it. Despite being Chorley born and bred and living 100 yards away from Victory Park, I have no real emotional involvement in the sides fortune. And as such I will always have a laissez faire approach to going on.

Despite the shenanigans at Ewood lately, the 30 years of time, effort, heartbreak and money I've poured into Rovers means they will always come first.

[cn174]

We couldn’t make it over in the end Oz, but how was the non-league experience?

I’ve got a mate and my next door neighbour telling me it’s a far better experience these days than watching sterile Premiership football, they both still go to Ewood though, both have season tickets.

Great banter between the fans, Chester not included , you can have a beer whilst watching the match and players actually give a s**t.

How did you find it? Could it ever replace going to Ewood?

I really enjoy going to watch non-league for the reasons above. For myself it couldn't replace Rovers because they're my team, but I know a lot who used to go watching PL footy and now take their kids and watch Chorley or Bamber Bridge every week. I guess the thing about non-league is that you feel more part of the whole set-up, whereas at FL games you are just a number who goes through the turnstile, watch the game, buy some chips and go home. I remember Tris & I met a fella up at Blyth when we played them, and in the bits we could understand of him talking, he used to watch Newcastle home and away, but he gave all that up and now watches Blyth home and away instead.

I do think that sadly the 'organisation' of league football is creeping in small places in the name of progress. Leigh is a good example when they moved into the Sports Village, a 10,000 capacity stadium for 250 fans, and the council/police demanded them to have about 100 stewards working the game because of the size of the ground!

Also if you do start to follow non-league there is a ready made team you can hate. FC United and its fans are just as odious, arrogant and annoying as where they come from.

Despite the shenanigans at Ewood lately, the 30 years of time, effort, heartbreak and money I've poured into Rovers means they will always come first.

That is what I was trying to say, but badly. For me it is the same (though not 30 years ), but for others who do not quite have the same emotional attachment non-league is becoming a great alternative. I think non-league is similar now to how people remember going to football 20/30 years ago and that gives it big appeal.

[Charlie Magpie]

What a fantastic night for Chorley FC!!! We were still celebrating well into the early hours of the morning!!!

Superb crowd of 2950 really got behind the Magpies and the atmosphere behind the goal in the second half was like the Darwen End in the early seventies!!

A big thank you to any Rovers fans who came along on Friday and contributed to a great night.

There are a few clips of the evening appearing on You Tube;

NOW COME ON ROVERS, THREE POINTS NEXT SATURDAY AGAINST MAN.U. - no problem!!