CHORLEY will bank a cheque for £1,000 after the BBC chose to broadcast their FA Cup third qualifying round tie against Ashton Athletic on Saturday.

A tie from every qualifying round of the 2017-18 competition has been screened on-line via the BBC’S website so far and now the Magpies will take centre stage this weekend for the 12.30pm kick-off at Brocstedes Park, when they lock horns with the Hallmark Security League Premier Division opposition.

Chorley’s Commercial Manager Josh Vosper said: “Financially it is a nice boost, and we are delighted to have been selected for live coverage by the BBC.

“This really seems to have caught everybody’s imagination and the whole town is buzzing about it.”

Chorley picked up a prize pot of £4,500 for their success at Stalybridge Celtic in the previous round and there is £7,500 up for grabs for the victors and a place in the final qualifying round, the last stage before the League One and Two sides enter the competition in the first round proper.

“We had terrific support at Stalybridge and we are expecting about 300 Magpies fans to be at Ashton, and that would be superb, “ added Vosper.

Chief executive Dave Riche added: “It is a really important day for Chorley and a fantastic opportunity for the club to be seen potentially worldwide over the internet and it will be a moment to remember for our supporters and sponsors.”

Victory Park boss Matt Jansen has engineered an impressive revival of late after the Magpies started the campaign slowly following the agony of last season’s play-off final defeat at Halifax.

Their last league win, a 3-2 victory over AFC Telford, saw 10-man Chorley climb into ninth in the National League North after posting their fifth win in six.

But Jansen will be wary of Ashton Athletic who dumped then-holders Chorley out of the Lancashire Challenge Trophy competition in the semi-finals last term.

“The lads dug incredibly deep for that win against Telford and I was very proud of them,” said Jansen.

“The FA Cup tie is a huge one, and we are desperate to get through.

“It is a wonderful competition and I played in some memorable FA Cup ties as a player so I know how much it can add to the season in terms of publicity, especially for a non-league club.”

Chorley are running coaches to the FA Cup tie priced at £5, and will leave Brindle Street at 11am. Admission is £8 for adults and £3 for children.