War of words...

And with two experienced campaigners like Sammy McIlroy and Dave Sutton swapping the verbal punches, it makes for quite a dust-up.

There is, of course, a lot at stake.

Chorley travel to Macclesfield Town for the first leg of the FA Trophy semi-final with a glorious trip to the twin towers at stake.

It is a daunting prospect with the Silkmen champions of the GM Vauxhall Conference - controversially denied entry into the Endsleigh League because of the state of their ground - and still chasing Stevenage for this year's title.

Under the guidance of former Manchester United and Northern Ireland star, Sammy McIlroy, they are also in the final of their league cup.

But McIlroy - having lost two games at Easter at Woking and at home to Dover - is cunningly downbeat about his side's chances.

"We are better away from home - if we get a result here tomorrow it will be a bonus. We are playing crap.

"We've had a few setbacks with our players. Half haven't been match fit because our reserve league is an absolute disgrace - they only play once or twice a month.

"I have watched Chorley three times and I know the majority of their players.

"Lee Trundle is attracting a lot of interest and I think their main strength is in attack.

"But I think I have got players who they have to watch.

"They are going to come here and they are going to have a go.

"So it will be interesting to see how Chorley try to combat us.

"Easter was a severe blow for us and maybe our players are switching off for the league and on for the cup.

"Chorley have reached the semi-final on merit and both legs will be tough games.

"Dave Sutton has been saying they want to keep it down to single figures - but that is pie in the sky."

Not according to Sutton, who managed Rochdale and is rumoured to be attracting a number of Football League clubs again.

"I'm not playing any mind games - I tell the truth.

"If we keep it down to 2-0, we might have a chance.

"It will be 100 miles an hour and end-to-end stuff.

"We are a footballing side and I see no point in changing that.

"But if they don't beat us they deserve a kick up the backside," said Sutton, who played for Plymouth, Reading, Huddersfield, Bolton and Rochdale.

The Chorley players will be no strangers to Moss Rose, having travelled en masse to see Macc's 2-0 league cup win against Southport.

It is, without doubt, the biggest tie in Chorley's history.

FA Cup victories over Wolves and Bury were fun, but silverware was not at stake.

A brief flirtation with the Conference, having won the Northern Premier in 1988, perhaps signalled the start of recent hard times.

Now they are the only side remaining in the competition who have survived the qualifying round and, after surviving two replays, tomorrow will be their 10th game in this Trophy campaign.

The club's previous best in this competition was a quarter-finals berth, having disposed of Wimbledon in 1977 before their meteoric rise to prominence.

But, with new financial clout, the club is on something of a crest of a wave themselves.

Rumours circulate that a number of attractive signings are on the cards for next season, Bamber Bridge players the names on everyone's lips.

They, too, have suffered a shaky Easter, drawing with Colwyn Bay and losing to Bishop Auckland, following two rousing wins against Winsford and Leek on the back of the Gateshead success in the quarter-finals.

However, Sutton has been resting key players such as Mayers and Emerson with tomorrow's big day in mind.

Tuesday's league game at home to Matlock has been moved forward to Monday (kick-off 7.30pm) to allow more time to prepare for the second leg at Victory Park on Saturday April 20 (kick-off 3pm).

Around 500 fans are expected to make the trip to Macclesfield and new Chorley soccer and rugby league commercial manager, Ernie Howe, is looking to lay his hands on a drum to improve decibel levels. He can be contacted on (01257 263406).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.