Rovers make their Emirates FA Cup bow this weekend when they travel to face National League North leaders Chorley on Sunday.
Rovers reached the third round of the competition last season, seeing off stiff competition away at National League side Ebbsfleet United with a 6-2 win, before a 3-0 home victory over Scunthorpe United, bowing out 1-0 at home to Rochdale.
Chorley meanwhile made the first round last season, battling their way through the qualifying rounds with wins over Stalybridge Celtic, Ashton Athletic and Boston United, before being defeated 2-1 by League One side Fleetwood Town at home.
Brief history of Chorley FC
Chorley play at the 4,300-capacity Victory Park stadium, which has been their home since 1920.
Their nickname is the Magpies, being known by that name since the 1890s due to their distinctively black and white striped shirts.
Founded in 1875 originally as a rugby union club, Chorley became a football club in 1883. Chorley currently lie top of the National League North, having made it to the sixth tier of English football back in 2014. A great start to the season for the Magpies saw them go unbeaten in their opening 12 league games, leaving them with 30 points from their opening 15 games.
Chorley made it to the first round of this year’s FA Cup following wins in the qualifying rounds over Leek Town and Peterborough Sports, before their fourth qualifying round win at home to Barrow, winning 3-2 at Victory Park.
Who’s the gaffer?
Jamie Vermiglio is the man in charge of the Magpies, having taken charge over the summer following the departure of former Blackburn striker Matt Jansen.
Vermiglio has a long-standing connection with the Magpies, providing them with his services for well over a decade prior to being handed the top job, being both a player and a coach for Chorley.
The 36-year-old former midfielder has taken charge of 18 games for Chorley, winning 12, drawing three and losing three, giving him a total win percentage of 66.67 per cent.
Ones to watch
Andy Teague
The club captain has gone on to make over 300 appearances for the Magpies since his arrival in 2011. Teague made his debut for Macclesfield Town, before making temporary switches away from Moss Rose to Tamworth and Hyde United. He joined Lancaster City in 2008 where he would spend three years, before his move to Victory Park. Teague has gone on to be one of Chorley’s most influential players from the back in recent seasons, helping them to the Northern Premier League title in 2014. Recently, Teague was voted as the fourth best player ever to grace the Northern Premier League, with Jamie Vardy taking the number one spot.
Marcus Carver
The forward signed for Chorley from Accrington Stanley back in 2016. Carver spent much of his time with Stanley away on loan, with spells at Marine, FC Halifax Town, Barrow and AFC Fylde, before a loan spell with the Magpies in 2015. He would go on to make his switch a permanent one the following year, and he scored the opening goal in their 2-1 defeat at home to Fleetwood Town last season in the FA Cup first round.
Stephen Jordan
The experienced defender brings Premier League experience to the Magpies’ backline following time with Manchester City and Burnley earlier on in his career. Jordan made his first team debut for the Citizens in the Premier League against Bolton Wanderers in April 2003, going on to make over 50 appearances for City. He helped Burnley to promotion to the top flight via the Championship play-offs. Following time with Sheffield United, Rochdale and Dunfermline Atheltic, he joined Fleetwood Town in July 2013, spending three years with the Cod Army before his switch to Victory Park.
Who’s the ref?
Ross Joyce will be the man in the middle when the two sides meet on Sunday. He has taken charge of 17 games across league and cup competitions this season, dishing out 64 yellow cards whilst brandishing a red card twice.
He last took charge of Rovers in December 2017 in Sky Bet League One, overseeing the 2-0 win at home to Rochdale in the final game of the calendar year.
He will be joined by assistant referees David Avent and Stephen Wade, with David McNamara named as the fourth official for Sunday’s game.
Last time out
Sunday’s FA Cup first round tie will be the first ever meeting between the two sides.