Little Chorley Beat The Mighty Wolves

The FA Cup is littered with David’s beating Goliath’s. However, in 1986 no one could foresee a cup upset when Multipart Northern Premier League club Chorley was drawn against the famous Gold and Black – Wolverhampton Wanderers. Led by their new manager Graham Turner the tie seemed a formality for the Midlands giants from Molineaux. Despite the gulf between the two clubs, a crowd of 5,421 would watch little Chorley beat the mighty Wolves.

Managed by Ken Wright part-timers Chorley had never been beyond the first round in their 103-year history. But after their efforts in November 1986, the name of Chorley was firmly in the headlines.

Chorley Earn Replay

Chorley’s date with destiny with Wolves almost didn’t happen. Originally paired with Halifax, there was great embarrassment at the FA when it was discovered that Darlington had accidentally been placed in the southern section of the draw. Eventually, Chorley were drawn at home to Wolves.

With their Victory Park ground under redevelopment and concerns with policing, the tie was eventually moved to Bolton’s Burnden Park. On Saturday, November 15, 4,887 watched as the teams played out a 1-1 draw. Andy Mutch had given Wolves the lead in the 47th minute. However, just 90 seconds later Paul Moss headed an equaliser to give Chorley a well-deserved replay.

The match would be a personal triumph for Chorley keeper Ian Senior. “It was a howling night,” said Senior. “I ended up wearing two different jerseys, as I had to change at half-time because the first one was drenched.”

Back’s Against The Wall

Constant Wolves’ attacks made sure Senior was a lot warmer than the 4,790 shivering in the two open stands.

Matt Forman headed Wolves into the lead just before the half-hour, but painter and decorator Moss would once again level matters, beating the offside trap before chipping over Vince Bartram in the 38th minute. From then on in, Senior described it as “a back’s against the wall” night.

Saving from Mutch, Steve Stoutt and Keith Lockhart, Senior ensured that after two hours at Molineux, the teams would have to meet again a week later. “We managed to scrape the draw,” Senior readily admits. “Although Mark Edwards missed a chance late on to steal it. We had a toss to decide the venue for the second replay.”

Chorley Beat Wolves

Chorley won the toss, so it was back to Burnden Park on Monday, November 25. A crowd of 5,421 would witness the giant being felled on an unforgettable night for anyone associated with Chorley. The 3-0 win ended the 300-minute marathon. But it also hit another nail in the coffin of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

“It was a remarkably comfortable win,” Senior notes. Salesman Charlie Cooper scored twice, either side of a strike from Edwards. “My players had more heart and determination,” Wright commented. “We’ve never been frightened of them over the three matches and there was no question we played the better football tonight.”

Wolves Humiliated

With the four-time FA Cup winners humiliated, fans turned on manager Graham Turner, who was seven weeks into the job. Turner took immediate action after the game and winger Keith Lockhart did not play for the club again.

The media poked fun at Wolves’ expense.

The Birmingham Evening Mail captured the mood with a cartoon of a coffin with a wolf inside, while the Express & Star had quotes from the manager blaming “five years of mismanagement” for the club’s predicament.