Boyzone attend Chorley FA Trophy tie against Solihull Moors

Two members of the 90s pop band, Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy, were joined by Westlife’s Brian McFadden at Chorley FC’s FA Trophy match against Solihull Moors at the start of what looks set to be an exciting collaboration between the two.

The trio’s arrival at Victory Park around an hour before kick-off in the FA Trophy fifth-round tie was met by huge excitement from the fans, who crowded around the entrance to the clubhouse to take pictures and get autographs.

After interviews on the pitch where they discussed their plans for the partnership and how it came about, fans once again clamoured for selfies and signatures, with the singers happily obliging.

Boyzone's Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy along with Westlife's Brian McFadden at Chorley FC (Image: PA)

Original members Shane and Keith, as well as Ronan Keating, who was not present at the game, are believed to be good friends with Chorley’s new owners, which include Prince Yemoh of Reset Events Ltd, and nine other people.

Speaking before the game, Shane said: “Some business partners of mine have come in to look after the club.

"A few months back I came down to visit and fell in love with the place. They asked me if I was interested in being part of it, and I was.

!However, I know some better boys who know more about football than I do, so I called the lads and this is why we’re here."

He continued:  “From the time we walked into the clubhouse we’ve been very, very welcome.

"There’s a real family feeling around the place, a real community. I’m really looking forward to getting to know everybody and finding out what the real fans, the community of Chorley, feel about us getting involved.

“Hopefully they think it’s a positive thing. All we’re here to do is try and help them do what they’re already doing.

“This club belongs to the people of Chorley and you can really feel that once you walk through the gate.

"You can see this is their club, their team, their players, and it’s their journey, and if we can help that journey to be a little more successful, that’s just beautiful.”

Unfortunately, the journey for Chorley in the FA Trophy won’t be going any further after they were comfortably dispatched 3-1 by a Solihull side who are looking for promotion to the Football League.

The visitors took the lead inside the first two minutes when Jack Stevens finished after Tyrese Shade’s effort came back off the crossbar.

Chorley were comfortably beaten by Solihull (Image: PA)

Joe Sbarra then made it 2-0 shortly before the half hour mark with an excellent curling finish from the edge of the area, and Stevens made it three before the break when he fired home after a scramble from a corner.

There was something for the celebrity guests to celebrate deep into second-half stoppage time, though, as Mark Ellis headed home a consolation from close range.

Victory would have taken Chorley into the quarterfinals of the competition, but Solihull, who currently sit fifth in the division above, proved too strong.

Lynch, Duffy and McFadden, along with Keating, are expected to be at more upcoming fixtures in the near future, and although their exact role as not been confirmed yet, McFadden said a deal is “pretty close”.