Blackburn boost for Chorley

Garry Flitcroft bolstered his squad on Friday with the loan signing of experienced central defender Chris Blackburn from AFC Telford United ahead of Saturday's Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division trip to Ashton United.

Blackburn, injured in Telford’s opening Conference Premier game of the season after signing for them in January, has been building up his fitness over the last six weeks and the two clubs hope his initial one month switch to Victory Park will benefit them both.

The 30-year-old defender kicked off his career at Chester City before moving to Nevada Wonders in the United States before returning to play for Northwich Victoria. He later joined Morecambe, forming a formidable partnership at the back with current Shrimps manager Jim Bentley, the pair playing a key role in taking the then Christie Park club into the Football League after winning the Conference Play-off Final in 2007.

After making more than 100 appearances for Morecambe he returned to Nevada for a short spell before playing for Swindon Town, Weymouth, Aldershot Town, Wrexham and Stockport County.