When Chorley defeated AFC Fylde in the Northern Premier League Northern Division play-offs, it meant that The Magpies would be competing in 2011-12 in the Northern Premier League Premier Division. While achieving this great feat, they managed to pack in almost 2.8 as many spectators as they did in the previous season with 757 paying customers per game – the biggest increase in league and senior non-league football.

Behind Chorley came Crawley Town who increased attendances by 153% as a result of their success in gaining Football League status. More remarkably, Bedfont Town almost doubled their average attendance from 65 to 129 despite the fact they ended in mid-table in the Zamaretto Division 1 Central. Fourth place went to Blackpool who had an 83% increase in attendances, which may well reduce by a similar amount this coming season. At the bottom of the table, Grays Athletic suffered the biggest drop – down from 682 to 223.

Let’s hope things continue to take off at Chorley – can they become the premier team in the Northern Premier League Premier Division?