Match Information
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Euxton Villa 0-3 Chorley
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When: Saturday 1st July 2023
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Kick-off: 3pm
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Where: Jim Fowler Memorial Playing Fields, Runshaw Hall Lane, Euxton, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 6HQ
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Competition: Pre-season friendly
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Attendance: 365
Just five weeks beyond my last match of the 2022/23 campaign, I was ready to start again with a pre-season friendly to commence my 51st season of regularly attending football. By the way, I greatly enjoyed 2021/22 as I reached 2,500 football grounds visited.
Therefore it was time once more to meticulously peruse various fixture lists to see what was on offer in early July.
Eventually, I opted for an attractive local derby encounter at Euxton Villa FC who had hovered on my radar since gaining promotion 12 months ago to Non-League’s Step 6 in the North West Counties League First Division North from the West Lancashire League.
Their illustrious opponents were scheduled to be Chorley of the National League North at Step 2. I have fond memories of my visit to Chorley’s Victory Park headquarters on Sunday 27th February 1983 - a 2-2 draw against Worksop Town in the Northern Premier League (attendance 380).
George Best's last ever match for Manchester United was away to QPR on New Year's Day 1974. I was in the crowd.
— Tony Incenzo - football reporter (@TonyIncenzo) July 4, 2023
Here are my recollections with @888sport https://t.co/9Skfssfino@CalumBest @bestiememories @MUFCMemorabilia @GeorgeWasBest @ManUtdPhotos @QPRReport
I recall the impressive set-up incorporating a tall grandstand and extensive old school terracing. But a comical scenario also sticks in my mind. Chorley had a little glass box at the back of the stand where public address announcements were made by an enthusiastic club volunteer.
The problem was though that his microphone never seemed to switch off properly each time he used it. So he sat in the box muttering to himself all afternoon totally oblivious his intended off-the-record comments were inadvertently being broadcast across the entire stadium.
At one point, he had a long rant to himself about the referee’s performance. And the ref came running over towards the stand to look up at the culprit. Fortunately the announcer realised what was going on and swiftly curtailed his comments!
Anyway, fast forward some 40 years and I decided to set off on my 450 mile round trip to Euxton. They play in a village housing 14,000 residents situated within the Borough of Chorley. Incidentally, the place is actually pronounced “Ex-ton”.
Ground Description
Named after Jim Fowler, who launched the current Euxton Villa FC in 1963 although club origins date back to 1907.
Regarding spectator provision, ‘The Blind Tiger Inns Stand’ affords 56 seats inside two ingeniously converted lorry containers.
Covered standing for another 100 fans is located on the opposite side of the pitch. Plenty of perimeter advertising adds to an overall pleasant feel.
I spotted plans on the clubhouse wall to install a 3G artificial surface and wider community facilities in years to come. Beyond the car park, another railed playing area hosts Euxton Villa’s thriving youth sides.
Programme Details
On sale at the entry hut, priced £2. It covered all Euxton Villa’s home pre-season friendlies.
An excellent production from ‘MatchDayCreative’, publishers of programmes for a number of football teams across England and Wales.
The Match
I had been worried about forecast overnight torrential rain causing a late postponement. However, the home club messaged me on the Saturday morning to say: “100% on don’t worry. Rain was constant but not too bad.”
A crowd of 365 formed one of the largest attendances ever registered at Jim Fowler Memorial Playing Fields. Euxton Villa enjoyed decent attacking moments but Chorley were stronger despite fielding what I would call a mix and match side.
The visitors drew first blood on 12 minutes when Justin Johnson scored via a 20 yard shot which powerfully ripped through the top right hand corner of the net and ended up amongst away supporters behind the goal!
Chorley’s two other marksmen were officially recorded as “Trialist 8” (31 mins) and “Trialist 16” (90+1 mins). I can understand why clubs opt to conceal the identity of trialists due to keeping pre-season preparations under wraps.
Even so, I always write down goalscorers in my groundhopping ledger. So on this occasion, I asked the two players personally for their names after they came off the pitch to maintain my records.
The People
Everyone I met at Euxton Villa was extremely friendly and arrangements were really well organised to cope with the expected big gate. Accordingly, numerous car park stewards and an outdoor bar/barbecue were laid on.
In addition, it was good to chat to Chorley’s enthusiastic media team filming the game. And I admired the Magpies Trust for their sterling commitment - Chorley FC’s official supporters trust members walked four and a half miles from Victory Park to Euxton before kick-off to raise funds for the nearby Derian House Children’s Hospice.
This was admirably supplemented by Euxton Villa making a donation to the hospice for every match ticket sold.
*Credit for photos in this article belongs to @TonyIncenzo*
