Priestley joins FC United

By John Newman

Veteran goalkeeper Phil Priestley has left Chorley to take up the post of goalkeeping coach at his former club FC United of Manchester.

Priestley, 31, who missed most of last season with a severe knee problem, was in good form this year until he was hurt in the first FA Cup match against Clitheroe.

A back injury hampered his performance in the 5-3 away defeat by Newcastle Blue Star and manager Gerry Luczka signed Pete Collinge from Clitheroe. Collinge has done well in Priestley's absence, keeping three successive clean sheets.

Priestley said the post with FC United was too good to turn down and wished manager Gerry Luczka and the team all the best.

Shaun Teale signed Priestley from Radcliffe Borough in October 2005 after he had been with FC United and a number of top non-league clubs.

He made a number of Football League appearances for Rochdale in 1998-99.

Phil, known to Chorley fans as Elvis, was the supporters' Player of the Year after only seven months with the club.

Luczka said: "Phil has been great for us and I wish him well. Now that he has recovered from injury he wants to get back in action.

"It was his decision to leave the club. After last season's nightmare experience when we had 15 stand-ins because of Phil's long-term injury, I had to make provision when he was hurt again, and young Pete has done really well.

"Unfortunately, we have room for only one keeper."

9:07am Wednesday 17th October 2007