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The killjoys out there were all-too keen to point out that non-league Chorley’s victory over Championship side Derby in the FA Cup third round wasn’t actually that much of a giant killing.
An outbreak of COVID-19 at Derby meant Chorley basically beat the Rams academy – and some bookies actually had the sixth-tier side as favourites to go through.
But that didn’t make it any less magical for Chorley – whose 2-0 victory over Derby was rewarded with a fourth-round tie against Wolves – which is LIVE on talkSPORT tonight.
Derby were the highest-ranked team Chorley had played since they were beaten 6-0 by Notts County in the first round of the FA Cup in 1900.
The Wolves clash is the first time Chorley have come up against top-flight opposition since that thrashing – 121 years ago.
Founded in 1875 as a rugby union club before switching to football in 1883, this 138-year-old outfit is steeped in history – but tonight is still the biggest night of its long life.
Never before has the Lancashire side ventured this far in the competition, and they’ve only reached the second round twice before, in 1986/87 and 1990/91.
However, it isn’t totally uncharted territory for Chorley – who actually beat a fourth-tier Wolves side on their way to the second round the first time they got there.
Besides, Chorley got past League One clubs Wigan and Peterborough in the earlier rounds of the competition this season, with Connor Hall scoring in every match, so they’re certainly no mugs.
And those aren’t the only omens in their favour, either: Wolves lost their last FA Cup meeting with non-league opponents, going down 1-0 at Luton in January 2013.
Another thing on Chorley’s side is the absolute state of their pitch at Victory Park – and assistant manager Andy Preece told talkSPORT Wolves will bring their own heaters to the dressing rooms because they’re so cold.
Meanwhile, Chorley’s own dressing room has been home to a great tradition during the cup run, which the non-leaguers will hope to continue on Friday night.
Every victory has been followed by a questionable rendition of Adele’s smash hit ‘Someone Like You’.
Those familiar with the song will know it’s not your classic, boisterous footy anthem.
And true to form, the club sang the song at the top of their lungs after the victory over Championship side Derby.
You can watch them in full voice at the top of this page.
Speaking to the talkSPORT Breakfast, assistant boss Preece said: “We just needed a song that was special to us that everybody knew. It happened to be that Adele song.
“Everybody knows the words to it, there’s a little bit in the middle where you can really get into it.
“It’s just great to share something like that at the end of the game, great for camaraderie. You need that togetherness if you’re going to win big games.
“When we got promoted, had big cup wins, it’s always been that one.”
If Wolves do spoil the party tonight, hopefully they’ll be good sports and sing it instead.
The talkSPORT network will have 20 live football commentaries over the next week, including Chorley vs Wolves tonight and Manchester United vs Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday
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