Chorley are looking up after play-off pain

 Source: Chorley Citizen


 CHORLEY start their season at Stocksbridge Park Steels tonight aiming for promotion once more after narrowly missing out in the play-offs last term.

The Magpies were unable to secure their ascent to Blue Square North after losing in the Evo-Stik Premier Division play-off semi finals to FC United, but chairman Ken Wright is hopeful that they can challenge again this time around.

Manager Garry Flitcroft, who did guide Chorley to promotion from First Division North a year ago, has added goalkeeper Andy Robertson as well as defenders Kieran Walmsley and Simon Garner to his squad.

Chorley’s opening game has been brought forward to tonight because of a clash with cricket fixtures at Stocksbridge.

“We had a decent season last season and we’d like to go one better,” Wright said.

“Of course we were disappointed to lose in the play-offs, and Bradford Park Avenue went up who a week earlier we’d beaten.

“But we know the rules before the start of the season. I would like to see two automatic places and one through the play-offs right through the pyramid system, but that’s just my personal belief.

“The ideal way of course would be to finish top, but no-one has a divine right. No-one is taking anything for granted.

“Hednesford did well last season, FC United are still there, Blyth Spartans have come down, Ilkeston have come up have backing and AFC Fylde have backing too.

“But we have tried to strengthen again this summer.”