CHORLEY assistant-manager Mickey Graham, like his boss John Hughes a former Victory Park team-mate player 20 years ago, takes the helm this weekend as the Magpies open the UniBond First Division campaign away to newcomers Spalding United, last season's Midland Alliance champions.

Manager Hughes is more than happy to leave Mickey in charge, the two have also shared managerial duties at other clubs, for the next two weeks while he is in the US on a long-planned trip.

Graham will manage the side for Tuesday's home match against Colwyn Bay followed by the visit of the re-formed AFC Telford United and away games against Woodley Sports (promoted from the North West Counties League) and current NWCL outfit Bacup Borough in the FA Cup preliminary round.

Hughes will miss the first five matches before returning in time for the September 4 trip to meet Clitheroe, UniBond newcomers as NWCL title-holders.

He said this week he was happy at the level of opposition the players faced in the pre-season programme of nine matches, two of which were won and two drawn.

"We impressed in the first half of every game and I'm happy to have a good squad who want to play for the club and who are prepared to play the way we want them to play," he said.

Hughes, who was expecting to sign defender Simon Kay, a former Chorley player who has figured prominently this pre-season, added: "We are still going to bring players in."

Chorley played well in a 2-2 draw with Conference club Morecambe's second team at Victory Park last Tuesday. Matty Swailes put the Magpies ahead in the first half only for the Shrimps to equalise and take the lead before David Eatock headed in a late leveller.

Touring American side Oakland beat the Magpies 1-0 on Thursday and Chorley rounded off their pre-season matches with a 3-0 away defeat by Premier League team Marine.

Hughes added there were a few contenders for the role of captain.

TWO goals in the last eight minutes wrecked Chorley Reserves' hopes of an opening day win over Lancaster City in the Lancashire League at Victory Park on Saturday.

The Magpies had most of the game and newcomer Dean Clarke headed them in front, but the Conference North club's second string levelled with a goal from their supersub, and another effort two minutes from time gave the visitors a 2-1 win.

A sizeable crowd is expected at the launch of The Magpies Trust at Victory Park Social Club on Tuesday, August 31, at 7.30pm.

The trust will be a fully open, democratic and accountable organisation which will work to promote the football club in the community through working closely with everyone at Chorley FC.

Guest speakers will include Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle, Supporters Direct, Warrington Wolves RLFC Trust and Star4Alty (Altrincham FC) Trust. After the event free food will be served.

Peter Rothwell, one of the working group members who have been getting the trust off the ground, said: "This is one of the biggest events in the club's recent history. Anybody who cares about the future of football in Chorley should be there. "Supporters' Trusts have achieved tremendous amounts at other non-league clubs and building on our positive links established with the club already, we can and will make a difference."