Everything you need to know about Chorley FC

Chorley are in the FA Cup fourth round, where they will face Premier League club Wolves
Chorley are in the FA Cup fourth round, where they will face Premier League club Wolves / Gareth Copley/Getty Images
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The magic of the FA Cup is what has kept the reputation of the competition alive for so many years, and this year it has been embodied by Chorley FC.

A win over COVID-19 hit Derby County in the last round of the competition saw them set up a home tie against Premier League club Wolves as they look to progress to the fifth round for the first time in their history.

But who are Chorley FC? Here's everything you need to know about them!


1. They play in England's sixth tier

Chorley v Derby County - FA Cup Third Round
Chorley v Derby County - FA Cup Third Round / Gareth Copley/Getty Images

England's football pyramid is often referred to as just the 92 clubs in the football league, but Chorley are two divisions below that.

They currently play in the sixth tier, the National League North, where they sit ninth in the table out of 22 teams.


2. Chorley's nickname is 'The Magpies'

Chorley v Derby County - FA Cup Third Round
Chorley v Derby County - FA Cup Third Round / Visionhaus/Getty Images

While Newcastle are more famously known as 'The Magpies', Chorley were founded first - so actually they are the originals.

They get the nickname from their black and white striped home kit and even acknowledge it in their official club crest. Keep flying high, Magpies!


3. Originally a rugby club

Chorley were originally a rugby club, before turning into a football club in 1883
Chorley were originally a rugby club, before turning into a football club in 1883 / Dan Mullan/Getty Images

When the club was originally founded in 1875, the sport of choice was actually rugby.

They switched to become a football club in 1883 and that's how they have operated ever since. The reason for the switch is unknown, but we can safely say it was a good decision.


4. They have never played in the Football League

Chorley have never played in the top four divisions in their history
Chorley have never played in the top four divisions in their history / Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

We mentioned earlier that Chorley play two divisions below the football league, but they've actually never played in England's top four divisions.

The closest they came was playing in the fifth tier for two years between 1989 and 1991. That didn't stop them beating three football league sides in the FA Cup this year though...


5. 'Someone Like You' by Adele is a club anthem!

Every club has traditions, but this is definitely one of the stranger ones. The club's celebrations after beating Derby in the third round went viral, with the players all blasting out their rendition of Adele's 'Someone Like You' single.

It turns out that's been a thing for a while, with former defender Andy Teague credited with starting it by current captain Scott Leather.

"It is a bit of a club anthem!" he said to LancsLive. "Ever since I've been here that's what it's been and whenever we've won, that's what we've sung. It's not the usual tune that teams will sing after a win but it's a bit of a belter to be fair isn't it?

"It's gone everywhere online which is good to see, we just need a shout out from Adele now or a good luck message - that'd be nice. Andy Teague was the one that always stuck it on and it's just stuck since then and probably will do for God knows how long.

"It's when you start banging the tables and the walls, it just turns a bit more upbeat!"

Hopefully they'll be singing to the FA Cup fifth round, 'hello - it's me'...