WHEN football matches are called off ten-mile runs are usually the order of the day but not for Chorley on Saturday - they went boxing.

Manager Mark Molyneaux is always looking for new training and fitness ideas so when Saturday's game at home to Stocksbridge was postponed he got on the phone to the former European Thai Boxing Champion Paul Page to see if he would give his players a workout.

The promotion-chasing Magpies went to the JJB Sports gym at Trafford Park to be put through their paces.

"Everyone said how much they enjoyed it," said Molyneaux. "And it was tough. You're not allowed to stop so it was a really good work-out.

"We have done loads of different things this season. We have done weightlifting, running - which the players really enjoy - aerobics and now boxercise.

"The stamina needed is outrageous and it stops the players getting bored. You couldn't go twice in a week though because they wouldn't be able to hack it!

"We had a warm up session at 1pm and it was more like an abuse session. And when the real session started at 1.30pm you could see all the players looking at each other seeing who they could chin!

"They are a very competitive group of players which is good."

Postponements are all part of the game and all you can do is grin and bear it, said Molyneaux.

"There is no answer apart from what you can do for the pitch when it does got cold, such as putting covers on and things like that. We don't get many games called off at Victory Park thanks to the groundstaff.

"It is frustrating, though, when you are travelling and getting games called off, especially when the teams are struggling.

"We should have played Bishop Auckland when they were going through a bad spell and also Trafford when everyone was whacking them.

"But they have got a new manager now and things can't get any worse so you are not going to get a better time to play them.

"I am not saying we definitely would have won those games but we could have nine points more from our postponed games.

"But there is nothing you can do. You couldn't have a mid-season break because you can't say when the weather is going to be bad.

"And that would mean playing in summer and we are not supposed to play in summer, there is too much of a relaxed atmosphere."

Chorley have a free weekend on January 25 and may be asked to play a re-arranged fixture then.

The Trafford game has already been re-arranged for March 8. The home game against North Ferriby has also yet to be re-arranged.

The Magpies were hoping to arrange a friendly fixture for tomorrow night. Their next game is at Kendal Town in UniBond Division One on Saturday.