Andy Preece Maintains Enthusiasm Ahead of 1,000th Managerial Match

Andy Preece previously managed Bury, Worcester City, Northwich Victoria, Airbus UK Broughton, and Southport before joining Chorley. Chorley manager Andy Preece has affirmed that his enthusiasm for management remains strong as he prepares to oversee his 1,000th game in charge this weekend. Preece’s team currently leads the National League North standings, having secured nine victories out of 17 matches and suffered only three defeats this term, prior to their away game against Chester on Saturday. Upon his arrival at the club in 2017, Preece served in various capacities, including director of football under former manager Jamie Vermiglio, before assuming leadership of the team in 2022. “It’s something I’m really proud of. It’s taken over 20 years and 40 or 50 games a season and that takes a lot out of you,” the 57-year-old stated to BBC Radio Lancashire. “At some point you might feel you might need to have a rest from it, but I’ve never felt like that.” “I’ve always had that enthusiasm, I’ve loved the challenge of the next game or the next club I’m at.” Preece, who secured a new long-term contract with the club earlier this year, credited his personal background as a key factor in his enduring career in management. Before his tenure at Chorley, Preece’s managerial career, which began in 1999, included managing Bury, Worcester City, Northwich Victoria, Airbus UK Broughton, and Southport. “I’m that person that, when things get tough, I’ll be there and up for the challenge and help the team to find a way out of it,” he further commented. “If people are struggling I want to be there to help them. That’s always been in my character. I’ve had to fend for myself a little bit when I was young and I was probably the only black person for miles and miles and that brings its own challenges.” “You have to be able to mix and be able to negotiate your way out of things rather than try and fight your way out of things.” “I think it’s part of my upbringing that gave me those skills. Leadership is more about communication than anything else and I’ve always been able to communicate and talk to people in the right manner.” Regarding the potential for his 1,000th game to be as memorable as his first, Preece remarked: “I don’t know whether it will be. You’d have to ask me if it did.” “I think the build-up will be, but whether the game will be any different I don’t think so. Chester are up there, we’re top of the league and there’s a bit of a rivalry there. I think 1,000 games will be forgotten when we step out.” “But after? Hopefully with the right result it will be one to remember.”