Chorley and The Moors - there are similarities. Also, how Chorley are benefiting from the Souness work ethic

As we build up to the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round tie between Spennymoor Town and Chorley, I present a little bit more about the similarities between the two clubs and also how Scottish football icon Graeme Souness has influenced Chorley manager Matt Jansen. More also on The Moors links with SPFL clubs.

Both Spennymoor and Chorley are clubs on an upward curve. Both have progressed well in the FA Cup (obviously) but both teams are going really well in their respective leagues. The Moors are currently sitting 5^th in the Evostik Premier Division with games in hand over all of the teams above them in the league. They are well placed to secure an amazing third promotion in four seasons. Chorley are going great guns in the Vanarama National League North (the division just above the Evostik Premier). They also sit fifth in the league and they could return to the top flight of non league football at the end of the season. If they do achieve this it will probably be through the play offs. The similarities don’t end there. The two clubs both wear the famous old stripey black and white kit made famous by Newcastle United and Juventus among others.

 

Moors fans in the famous Old Stripey kit celebrating FA Vase success in 2013

A Chorley FC Cheerleader proudly wearing the black and white stripes

In a recent interview with nonleaguedaily.com Chorley manager Matt Jansen recalls his time with Blackburn Rovers and the effect that Graeme Souness had on his play and subsequent managerial career. Matt recounts: "Graeme Souness took over when we were relegated under Brian Kidd. Souness came in, he was stern but you took it because he had done it all in the game. He was great for us and I got on very well with him. He drove us forward and I agree with his 'It's free to work hard' ethos and that is what he demanded from his players. We had a good squad and he created a great dressing room environment. We did everything together, we socialised and before a big game against Burnley he took us to Dubai. He got hammered for that but we came back refreshed and beat them 5-0. He was all about the team and I have taken that on board and still use some of his methods in my role at Chorley. He was probably the manager I learnt the most from in my career.” Jansen managed to take his Football League form into the Premier League with Rovers, something many strikers struggle to do in a promoted side. A mid-table finish was secured and for the first time in the club's history they won the League Cup, then known as the Worthington Cup. The rest as they say is history! Chorley are certainly currently benefiting from the Souness influence.

 

A young Matt Jansen gets instructions from Graeme 'Its free to work hard' Souness

 In the same article Jansen also recalls how legendary Scottish manager Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign him and why he turned him down! He was recently at a charity golf day hosted by Sir Alex. Apparently Ferguson made a  point of coming up to talk to Matt."He said 'Hey you, you never signed for me when I wanted you'. "I said I knew I would have more chance of playing first team football at Palace and that was why I went there. "He then said why the hell would I sign you and put you in the reserves?. The full article is available via http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/top-stories/sir-alex-souness-and-sven-matt-jansen-interview-part-one.html A rattling good read.

More Moors links to Scotland are also coming to light. In previous posts it was reported that they hosted pre-season friendlies against East Fife and Arbroath. It transpires they also entertained Hamilton Accies as recently as 2014. In July of that year they lost 5-0 to the Accies at the Brewery Field. They clearly like to welcome visitors from north of the border and that is good news for me and my pal Howie Baby on Saturday.

It is going to be a good contest on Saturday. Will Silky Spenny be able to cope with the ‘dogs of war’ that are the Chorley midfield? It is going to be another great match on the Road to Wembley from Scotland. Catch up again on Thursday when I will report on how the two gladiators got on in their midweek matches.