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Chorley boss Andy Preece says he is not losing enthusiasm for management as he prepares to take charge of his 1,000th game this weekend.

Preece's side are top of the National League North table ahead of Saturday's trip to Chester having won nine of 17 games and losing just three times this term.

Since arriving at the club in 2017, Preece has held a number of roles including director of football under former boss Jamie Vermiglio before taking charge 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 told ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ 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 signed a new long-term deal with the club earlier this year, paid respect to his background for his staying power in management.

Prior to his time with Chorley, Preece previously managed Bury, Worcester City, Northwich Victoria, Airbus UK Broughton and Southport in a managerial career which started in 1999.

"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 added.

"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."

As for whether his 1,000th game will be as memorable as his first, Preece said: "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."