CHORLEY boss Ken Wright knows all about the magic of the FA Cup following his exploits with the club during his previous stint in the hot-seat.

And now the veteran campaigner is planning to bring the good times back to Victory Park again after a chequered couple of years in the club's history.

Threatened with bankruptcy during the mid 1980s, it was Wright who saved the Magpies from extinction by masterminding an epic first round victory over three-times FA Cup winners Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That unforgettable night at Bolton's Burnden Park still ranks as Wright's most treasured memory during a managerial career stretching back two decades.

And he admits the Cup still gives him the same infectious buzz.

"The FA Cup has been great to me down the years and I always look forward to it coming around," said Wright.

"I don't think there's anything quite like it.

"If you have a good cup run people tend to sit up and take notice, not to mention the financial rewards which can be gained from making the first round proper.

"When we played Wolves it captured the imagination of the whole town.

"We were involved in three massive games with them and then took Preston to a replay in the second round.

"That solved all our financial problems at a stroke and then gave us the platform on which to win the league the following year.

"But you can't rely or count on that every year and that is perhaps what makes it so special."

The Magpies face a tough test at Osset Town in the preliminary round tomorrow.

But fresh from an 8-1 trouncing of Lincoln United and a 2-0 victory at Eastwood Town, Wright is in confident mood.

"It's a difficult match, we are under no illusions about that," said Wright.

"They are a big, powerful side and they play to their strengths.

"They caused a few teams problems last year and their pitch isn't the best surface in the world either.

"So we know it's going to be difficult.

"But I suppose, if we have to go there, then we couldn't be going at a better time in light of our recent results."

Those back-to-back league victories have also increased optimism regarding an assault on the UniBond League First Division title.

Some shrewd additions over the summer have helped galvanise a squad which finished in midtable last season, following relegation from the Premier Division.

Danny Mills has been a sensation in midfield, scoring five times so far.

And striker David Eatock is starting to regain the kind of form which earned him a £25,000 move from Chorley to Newcastle during the mid 90s.

"David has done very well over the last couple of games," said Wright.

"He's not played much football over the last 12 months or so we are just knocking the rust off him a little bit and helping him to put the edge back in his game.

"So we've made a satisfying start.

"And, after holding our own against the likes of Bradford and Witton, I'd like to think we may be in that group of teams come the end of the season." aneild@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk

DAVID EATOCK: Chorley striker starting to regain his form