CHORLEY FC would like to offer this overview as we begin to look forward to our next season as an Enterprise National League North football club.
Firstly, everyone at Chorley FC would like to thank our players, staff, volunteers, sponsors and of course, our supporters for their incredible backing throughout the 2025/26 campaign. Whether home or away, your support has once again been outstanding and continues to support the team.
While this season has not delivered the success that we all hoped for, there were many fantastic occasions and results throughout as well as personal milestones within the club. There remains a huge amount of hard work, commitment, and positivity around the club as preparations for the 2026/27 campaign are already well underway.
On the Pitch
Over the past couple of decades, supporters have become accustomed to seeing the club compete towards the top end of the table, challenge for playoff positions and enjoy memorable cup runs. Unfortunately, this season did not quite reach those levels but has not been without trying, and we had such a great start!
Over recent years, Andy Preece has managed to guide us towards the top end of the table and there is no one more frustrated than him but we know he is eager and preparing for the season ahead, in fact, those preparations started long ago.
Despite the challenges, the effort and commitment from both players and staff never wavered. While the squad now takes a short break, preparations for next season are, as you are starting to see, in full swing behind the scenes, with the off-season often proving one of the busiest periods of the year for football operations.
Squad Retention & Recruitment
As always, discussions with players regarding the future began well before the season concluded. Andy Preece and Chris Anderson have held individual meetings with every player to discuss plans moving forward. These conversations often cover recent performances, fitness during the previous season, and expectations moving forward for the new season.
Naturally, some players require time before making decisions as they assess opportunities higher up the football pyramid, something the club fully understands and respects. At the same time, extensive recruitment work continues behind the scenes, with countless hours spent analysing player reports, reviewing scouting reports and recommendations, and monitoring targets who may become/or who have already become available.
Recruitment planning never stops, and some signings can take months of conversations, meetings and negotiations before agreements are finalised.
We are delighted to welcome:
- Max Hunt
- Lewis Salmon
Both players have been long-term targets for the football club and discussions have been ongoing. We all look forward to seeing them in Chorley shirts.
Further additions and re-signings are currently being finalised, with announcements to follow in due course.
Players Leaving the Club
Everyone at Chorley FC would like to thank the following players for their contributions and wish them every success in the future:
- Matt Urwin
- Tom Walker
- Milan Lalkovic
- Joe Nolan
- Jack Griffiths
- Tom Carr (left towards the end of the season)
Thank You!
We have of course already given our ‘goodbye’ to Matty but it’s impossible not to do a short review without, once again saying thanks! It has been an emotional end of the season for the football club – no one ever wants to as we say farewell to their club captain - Matthew Urwin has been an outstanding servant to Chorley FC, making 384 appearances and playing a huge role in some of the most memorable moments in the club’s recent history, including that unforgettable save against Spennymoor Town in the 2018/2019 promotion final.
From FA Cup runs to countless consistent performances, Matty has been a cornerstone of the first team both on and off the pitch. His professionalism, leadership and commitment to the football club have been exceptional.
Everyone connected with Chorley FC thanks Matty for his immense contribution and wishes him every success in the next chapter of his journey at Blackburn Rovers.
Also, an emotional goodbye to Joe Nolan, a local lad who made 140 appearances for the club. He was one of Preecy’s first signings – he has been very reliable and we are sure he will be an important player for Curzon Ashton.
Looking Ahead to 2026/27
There are no illusions about the challenge ahead. The division continues to grow stronger, with ambitious and well-resourced clubs continuing to raise standards across the league.
However, the aim at Chorley FC remains unchanged; to build a squad capable of challenging towards the playoff positions once again.
The football club understands its position within the football pyramid and knows it must continue to compete against bigger budgets and larger resources. That challenge is nothing new, and it is exactly what the club has consistently embraced throughout its recent history.
There is full confidence that Andy Preece and his staff will assemble a competitive squad capable of representing the club with pride and ambition next season.
Chorley FC Youth
Gary Donoghue oversees the leadership of eight Chorley FC teams from U11s through to U18s. There are now almost 200 youth players registered as Chorley FC players, wearing the Chorley FC shirts and playing out, our Chorley FC values. The youth section is now fully embedded and building a strong reputation.
It’s been a really successful season on the pitch: the U11s won the NW JPL league title, the U18s lifted the League Cup and several other age groups have enjoyed notable achievements throughout the year with many teams seeing progressively better performances compared to last season. Thank you to all of the youth coaches and staff who give up their time to support the club.
After the first team finished playing, the Youth Section ‘took over’ Victory Park for a week of games which included, walk out music, goal music, full video footage and match day highlights and the use of the changing rooms. The players and teams then used the club house for their respective end of season presentations. Thank you to everyone who made this happen.
Looking ahead, the club is expanding to 12 teams next season, including the introduction of an U10s Girls and Boys teams. Recruitment for new coaches and players is underway to support this growth.
Trials are already in progress, and players can register directly via the relevant article already on our website.
Off the pitch, the Astley Park project is moving forward well. Those who did not know, we have secured Astley Park FC as the home of our Youth Section. There is a lot of work to be done but we are now working through the final details with Chorley Council and we expect to have both training and matches taking place there in the coming months. The main pitch at Astley Park will be available from September 2027 with extensive works planned.
Chorley FC Women
The women’s team stepped up from under-18s to compete in an open age women’s league – The Lancashire Women’s Football League Championship. Results have been more difficult to come by but the team gave a good account of themselves. The additional physicality, standard and expectation on other teams has been a challenge the girls have embraced. The Team is now looking to recruit more players to join the ever strong squad of 26 players with a view of forming two teams.
Click here to register your interest.
Steven Gerrard Academy (SGA) BTEC
The Chorley FC Football Scholarship Programme in association with the Steven Gerrard Academy (SGA) has gone from strength to strength with now over 100 students registered on the programme. It takes young people on a two-year journey of elite training, high quality competitive matches, outstanding education and high-quality outcomes. At Chorley FC, Andy Preece and Matthew Swift lead the football element of the course.
The SGA Chorley team finished 2nd in the National League U19 Alliance and just missed out on the title but it was a great season for them with Jacob Cummins contributing 15 goals in 17 appearances to help Chorley become the second-highest top-scoring team in the division with 61 goals in total!
The ‘Second Team’ won their respective league and are showing amazing progress game by game.
We are pleased to share with you that there are 14 Chorley Youth players enrolled with SGA, giving them the opportunity to complete their studies but also work alongside first team staff.
In the programme, there are 11 students signed up to complete a Higher National Certificate (equivalent to one year on a Bachelor’s Degree) and seven students are making steps to go to university. One student has been offered a scholarship in America – very exciting and great outcomes for the course!
Chorley FC SGA took two teams abroad to compete in international tournaments (Cambrils Scholarship Cup and Mediterranean International Cup).
The SGA Chorley FC are currently recruiting for the next academic year. Please get in touch if you want to find out more.
Behind the Scenes
Club Secretary Changes
A huge thank you goes to Paul Carter, who leaves his role as Club Secretary after taking up a full-time position as General Manager at Nantwich Town.
Paul joined the club at the start of the season and brought professionalism, organisation and tremendous hard work to the role. Everyone at Chorley FC thanks him for his contribution and wishes him every success.
We are pleased to welcome Jake Bannister as the club’s new secretary. Jake joins after supporting Bamber Bridge FC over the past two seasons and has already shown the attitude, character and work ethic required for the role.
Commercial & Accounts Updates
Jeff Clarke continues to be one of the club’s most recognisable and valued figures. After many years supporting the commercial side of Chorley FC, Jeff has decided to step away in order to spend more time with his family.
Jeff has played a huge role around the football club over many years and everyone connected with Chorley FC thanks him sincerely for his support, energy and dedication. Victory Park will always remain open to him.
The club would also like to thank Beverley Blake for her outstanding work leading the accounts team over several years. Bev has been a fantastic support to the football club and leaves (not just yet) with everyone’s very best wishes.
We are pleased to welcome Nicole Simpson, who joins the accounts team and will work alongside Bev during a transition period before taking on the role moving forward.
The club is also continuing recruitment within the commercial and events department, with plans to further develop partnerships, sponsorship opportunities and major events hosted at Victory Park.
Media Team Update
Pete Tscherewik continues to lead as Media, Communications and Office Manager, with Ewan Murray, James Ede and Oran Willis continuing as voluntary media assistants. David Airey remains as Club Photographer, and Craig Thompson continues as the "Voice of Victory Park", as PA, on matchdays. Thank you to all members who have continued to contribute greatly throughout the season.
We say farewell to Owen Pope, our lead analyst, who departs after three seasons with the club. Owen's hard work and commitment throughout his time with us has been greatly appreciated, and we wish him well in his next chapter. Matthew Swift will continue his work behind the scenes on highlights, analysis, and more, alongside his first-team coaching role. Cameron Newman will also assist Matthew at games, both home and away.
Looking ahead, the media team's focus remains on delivering insightful, detailed and all-round coverage of the first team, as well as off-field projects relating to the football club. It's an exciting period, with new players coming in, others being retained and work already under way on fresh graphic designs and new branding for the season ahead.
We're looking forward to the new shirts being launched in due course, conducting media days with Andy Preece, Chris Anderson and the players and continuing to offer the kind of behind-the-scenes insight you wouldn't ordinarily see.
Magpies on Air will return for another season, with the commentary coverage having been well received since its launch in 2024/25. We are also working more closely with the Chorley FC Community Foundation and the club's youth sections, to ensure that they receive the coverage they deserve.
There is also a new Facebook Page that we are managing and will be pushing more which is linked to the ‘Away Day Project’ here at Chorley FC.
Thank you to Stuart Taylor who continues to support staff at the club organise our Away Days which are becoming more and more popular. This season we welcomed more than 20 teams and over 4,000 EFL supporters, with some attending more than once! This project has brought much-needed additional income but more importantly has helped to continue to build our profile as a community based, forward thinking, football club.
Victory Park Developments
Pitch Renovation Work Underway
Summer renovation work has already begun on the Victory Park pitch ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The programme includes:
- 80 tonnes of sand top dressing to improve drainage and consistency
- Overseeding to regenerate and strengthen the grass surface
- Goalmouth levelling and repairs
- Verti-draining to reduce compaction and improve root growth
- Scarifying to improve turf health
- Fertilising to encourage strong summer growth
A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes every summer, and special thanks go to lead groundsman Andy and his team for their ongoing efforts to provide the best possible playing surface for players and supporters alike.
Around the Ground
Stuart McCheyne continues to play a hugely important role around the football club. Alongside managing kit operations across all teams in partnership with Team Stop, Stuart also supports ongoing maintenance and improvement work around Victory Park.
Throughout the summer, the club will work alongside the Magpies Trust and Community Foundation to organise volunteer days focused on renovation and improvement projects around the ground.
Supporters interested in helping can contact:
clubsecretary@chorleyfc.com
Further information regarding volunteer days will be announced soon.
Pre-Season Plans
Preparations for pre-season are well underway, with several friendlies already arranged and further fixtures to be confirmed shortly.
We can confirm that Chorley FC will face Bury FC on Saturday 11th July
Additional fixtures against local EFL opposition are also being arranged and there will be some announcements soon – one or two today!
Early pre-season matches are expected to feature youth players, Steven Gerrard Academy players and trialists before the first-team squad gradually increases workloads through the summer programme. Again, we will let you know about these when final arrangements have been made.
Andy Preece and Chris Anderson are also planning a team bonding trip as part of preparations for the new campaign, with further details to follow.
The Magpies Trust
The Magpies Trust continues to play a hugely important role both on matchdays and within the wider community. Chorley FC thanks them for their contributions this season.
During the 2025/26 season, the Trust raised more than £15,000, helping support community projects and football club initiatives.
One of the standout achievements of the year was helping raise over £10,000 in support of Kole during his recovery — another example of the incredible community spirit surrounding Chorley FC.
The Trust also supported Chorley FC Women through sponsorship of their end-of-season awards evening.
Looking ahead, exciting plans include:
- Raising £3,000 to upgrade Victor Magpie
- Creating a new supporter “Fan Wall” featuring commemorative bricks
The Trust continues to welcome new members, volunteers and supporters who want to get involved with the football club and wider community.
The Community Foundation
The Chorley FC Community Foundation has continued to expand significantly over the past year.
Across the season, the Foundation engaged with more than 3,500 children and young people, while also supporting almost 200 adults through community projects and engagement programmes.
New initiatives this year included:
- Monday morning bingo sessions for older residents
- Podcasting and audio projects with local young people
- Increased matchday engagement with schools and grassroots teams
- NHS partnership work helping raise awareness of lung cancer
The Foundation has also completed more than 30 interviews documenting stories and memories connected with Chorley FC, helping preserve the football club’s history for future generations.
Plans for next season include:
- Launching a youth media team
- Creating a weekly employment hub at Victory Park
- Expanding opportunities for young people to engage with the football club
The Foundation continues to be led by Darren Jenkinson and full-time staff member Vinnie Thomson, supported by volunteers and trustees who continue to make a significant impact across the local community.
Upcoming Events at Victory Park
Ongoing Events
Sue, with the support of her consistent team including Linzi and Luke continue to open the Chorley FC club daily for ongoing events, including those organised by the Community Foundation. In addition, there are many celebratory events catered for. Sue is always happy to take your call if you are interested in hiring out the club for events or a function.
Mighty Magpie Beer Festival 2026
Thursday 30th July – Sunday 2nd August 2026
Victory Park will once again host the hugely popular Mighty Magpie Beer Festival across four days this summer. We really hope our supporters can turn up to be a part of this event.
The event will include:
- Sponsor’s Night
- Live entertainment
- Family Day activities
- Food and drink vendors
- Community entertainment throughout the weekend
Further details have been announced across the club’s social media channels and further updates to come.
Exciting Summer Event in Planning – Announcements soon!
The football club is currently working alongside long-term partners Currys on plans for a major community event this summer linked to raising awareness and support for Down syndrome charities and local disability support organisations.
Discussions are ongoing regarding what could become an official world record attempt at Victory Park, involving local businesses, schools, community groups and supporters.
The proposed event would build on the success of the club’s recent “Banging the Drum” awareness campaign and aims to bring the wider community together for a unique fundraising occasion tied to the FIFA World Cup Final weekend (July 19th – keep this date free!).
Final details and official confirmations are still being completed, with a full announcement expected soon.
Support Needed – Sponsorship Opportunities
We are currently working with local businesses, current and new sponsors to explore sponsorship for the coming season. We still have front of shirt, sleeve sponsorship and many other opportunities. If you would like to find out more then please get in touch with commercial@chorleyfc.om
Thank You
Finally, thank you once again to all our sponsors, partners, staff and supporters for your continued backing throughout the season.
A special and massive THANK YOU to our team of volunteers who go above and beyond to help our football club, giving up hours and hours of their own time. It is very much appreciated and without you, our football club would not be the same – thank you.
The strength of this football club continues to come from the people around it — the supporters, volunteers, staff and wider community who care deeply about Chorley FC.
Preparations for 2026/27 are already well underway and everyone at the football club looks forward to building positively together for the season ahead.
