Andy Preece leaves Chorley for Scunthorpe United

Andy Preece’s eight-year stay at Chorley is over after he was appointed manager of National League strugglers Scunthorpe United.

The deal

The 59-year-old has agreed an 18-month contract with the Iron. His assistant at Chorley, Chris Anderson, is going with him, and Kyle Preece has also been appointed as Scunthorpe’s Head of Recruitment and Analysis. Anderson joined Preece at Victory Park in 2022, after three seasons managing AFC Liverpool in the North West Counties League.

Chorley confirmed on Thursday night that they had accepted compensation from Scunthorpe, and admitted they did so reluctantly. The club paid tribute to Preece’s work since 2018, when he first arrived as assistant manager and Director of Football.

A familiar opponent

You could argue this move has been coming for some time. Preece led Chorley into the National League North play-offs twice in his four seasons as manager, and both times they went out to the club that won promotion: Brackley Town first, then Scunthorpe. That second defeat was a 4-2 semi-final loss at the Attis Arena in May 2025. Scunthorpe went on to go up, and now the manager they beat that day has been brought in to keep them in the National League.

A rescue job

He has a big job on his hands. Scunthorpe sacked Andy Butler at the end of October after a 4-1 home defeat to Tamworth. It was their sixth loss in seven games and left them in the bottom four. Jacob Butterfield and Ross Barrows took temporary charge while the board searched for a permanent replacement.

The board opted for experience. Preece has managed more than 1,000 games across spells at Bury, Worcester City, Northwich Victoria, Airbus UK and Chorley. His first managerial job came at Bury in 1999, when he was player-manager. Scunthorpe say they expect him to bring new energy and direction to a squad that badly needs both.

What next for Chorley?

Chorley now have to find a new manager in the middle of the season. Until they do, chairman Jamie Vermiglio will look after football matters, with help from senior players and staff. Vermiglio was the manager Preece replaced in 2022, so the team is in experienced hands for now. His first test comes quickly, with Buxton visiting Victory Park in the FA Trophy second round on Saturday.