HAPPY New Year to everyone associated with Chorley FC!
The festive season and the time between Christmas and New Year offer wonderful opportunities to spend quality time with family and friends.
However, we also recognise that this time of year can be difficult for some. It’s important that we continue to reach out to those close to us and check in on their well-being.
If you’ve yet to catch up with that family member or old friend, why not do it today? Maybe even invite them to the game!
For football fans, the Christmas period is synonymous with a packed fixture list and the much-loved tradition of a New Year’s Day game.
Over the years, we’ve shared some unforgettable fixtures during this time. Personal highlights include matches against AFC Fylde and our 4-0 victory over FC United in 2019, which saw goals from Newby (Elliot on this occasion!) and Josh O’Keefe propel us back to the top of the league.
The atmosphere that day was electric and remains a special memory for me.
This year, our New Year’s Day fixture sees us face a young, vibrant and full-time Buxton side. Although not a local rival, Buxton has made excellent progress this season, and we’ll need to be at our best to take something from the game.
As we reflect on 2024, it’s fair to say the end of the year has been particularly challenging. Injuries and illnesses have tested Preecy, Ando and the team in ways I’ve rarely experienced before.
Despite these setbacks, opportunities have arisen for other players, including young loan talents who have stepped up and helped us stay competitive and add more points to the tally. Looking ahead to 2025, we’re hopeful of welcoming back key players and building on a very promising first half of the season.
With a full squad and a bit of luck, we believe we can challenge for promotion—a goal that remains central to our ambitions.
The second half of the season will bring new challenges, with teams strengthening through recruitment or managerial changes. As we saw against Rushall and Radcliffe, even teams lower in the table pose significant threats and are more than capable of collecting points.
It’s a tough league and every point will count.
Off the pitch, we’ve continued to make strides toward our goal of being a sustainable, competitive football club that serves and engages our community. Recent initiatives, such as opening the club on Christmas Day to provide a welcoming space for locals and distributing food hampers, highlight the positive impact we can have beyond matchdays.
This type of work continues to be amplified through the Chorley FC Community Foundation - something we are immensely proud of.
Our club is built on strong relationships, particularly with our dedicated volunteers and commercial partners. Their contributions are invaluable and we’re grateful for the time and effort they give to support the club.
We’ve extended our reach by hosting away teams traveling through the North West, thanks to initiatives like Stuart’s (Chorley Away Days) work, which showcases the hospitality and community spirit of Chorley FC far and wide.
The reputation we have for being a community club is growing and becoming stronger all the time.
A standout moment in 2024 was witnessing the incredible support shown to Jack Sampson and his wife, Hannah, following her cancer diagnosis. After months of intensive treatment, Hannah rang the bell in August 2024 to mark the end of her therapy and is now on the road to recovery.
The love, care and generosity from everyone at Chorley FC and beyond meant the world to their family, and it’s a reminder of the strength and unity that defines our club.
As we enter 2025, I’m confident that Chorley FC will continue to grow and make strides both on and off the pitch. On behalf of our owners and everyone at the club, thank you for your unwavering support.
Happy New Year, and here’s to a successful and fulfilling 2025!
Jamie
