Fan Questions Answered: April 2023

Every month, the members of the Magpies Trust meet at Victory Park and have their chance to vote on matters and ask questions directly to senior figures at the club & trust. Here's your questions answered for April 2023:

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Q: Is Chorley FC in financial trouble?

GW: Not in ‘dire’ trouble; usual tough situation with crowds down,which has hit other things like food and drink. Sales are down and inflation means everything costs more.

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Q: Is Chorley FC about to be sold?

GW: Yes, a takeover is in progress. We want the club to go to someone with the best interests of the club and its fans at heart.

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Q: Gary Flitcroft said this club was a ‘sleeping giant’. It has has gone to sleep again and needs more investment.

GW: Agreed. A couple of people were interested before the Covid pandemic, but neither materialised. Another interested party wanted to be the new owner – plus the manager! The current group involved in engineering and shop-fitting, chains and franchises etc. Also have a big interest in motorsport. Some of the group have interests in football. Ken and I have been talking to them for about 6 months, but just in the last week or two has become a proper offer. They do want to run the club properly.

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Q: Does the Magpies Trust shareholding change?

GW: No – the Trust’s share remains the same. Only mine and Ken’s shares are being sold. The group are keen to work with the Trust.

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Q: Are we talking to the council? About the ground, etc.?

GW: Yes, but there is more work to do if the takeover goes ahead.

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Q: Are they looking to buy the ground?

GW: Yes, they want to take over the lot. They want a 3G pitch, which will generate income.

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Q: Do we have a timescale for the takeover?

GW: Could be in the next couple of weeks. There are just a few things left to iron out. Won’t see much change this season. The ambition is for the club to get to the National League.

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Q: Does the group have links to Chorley?

GW: No. They did look at another North West club but that didn't go ahead as that club had underlying issues.

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Q: How will they make the club sustainable and what is the long-term vision?

GW: I’ve already touched on the investment in a 3G pitch, getting to the National League and owning the ground. The capacity for teams to increase – and starting to look at a girls’ team.

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Q: What is the situation with players’ contracts?

GW: Some have already signed up: Jack Sampson, Scott Wilson, Matt Urwin and Joe Nolan. Recruitment is in progress and we have been talking to potential new players.

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Q: Has the club’s financial situation got better or worse?

GW: It is steady.

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Q: Any plans with regard to Connor Hall loss through injury?

GW: We are looking to bring Louis Britton back.

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Q: Do you have an update regarding injuries?

GW: We can’t get to the bottom of the situation re: Matt Challoner. Will Tomlinson just about ready to return. Callum Schorah coming back. Harvey Smith – had stitches and won’t be playing this weekend. Connor Hall – dislocated shoulder and collar bone and awaiting assessment.

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Q: What is needed for the season to be considered a ‘success’? Play-offs? Promotion? Will it be a ‘bad season’ if we don’t go up?

GW: I would be disappointed if we don’t at least make the play-offs.

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Q: If we go up will we learn from the last promotion?

GW: Yes, we have learned from the last promotion and have changed or will change some things, like printing match programmes - and overnight stays and moving more towards becoming full-time, which we have already started to do.

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Q: What is your view on new non-league club player contract rules?

GW: Not impressed. I don’t think it will work. They are trying to move things towards more ‘common’ types of contracts.

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Q: Why's is the club losing so much money?

GW: As already mentioned – there has been a dramatic drop in attendances and the problems of rising inflation.

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Q: Are Early Bird Season Tickets going OK?

GW: Yes. I’m not sure of exact numbers but most have renewed.

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Q: How critical will the relationship with Chorley Council be to the group?

GW: Very important. If the council doesn’t want to develop VP as a football ground – prepared to move the club elsewhere. There are no negatives either way – can either develop VP or go elsewhere.

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Q: Would the new group willing to have a meeting like this one, to talk with supporters.

JV: Trust will push new owners to involve fans.

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Q: Are Ken and Graham planning to stay on?

GW: I would like to see Ken Wright stay on as Life President of the club. The new owners will need a club secretary and I will put my nameforward.

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Q: Do we plan to bring another player of Harry Cardwells’quality in?

GW: We could only afford Harry Cardwell because of his injuries history. Another good striker, Charles Vernam, wanted to stay but was recalled by his club.

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Q: Could we have a marquee for drinks outside at high attendance matches – like the pre-season friendly against Bolton?

GW: We are looking at having a Fan Zone near where the Trust cabin is.