EX-Blackburn Rovers ace Matt Jansen admits he is loving life at Chorley as he steps up efforts to become a Football League coach.

Back in May, the 33-year-old striker quit Leigh Genesis and followed former Rovers team-mate and good friend Garry Flitcroft to Victory Park.

With Flitcroft managing the Magpies, and Jansen helping in a player-coach capacity, the duo have quickly transformed the fortunes of the Magpies.

The club are third in Evo-Stik League First Division North and, after a series of lacklustre campaigns, now stand a realistic chance of landing promotion.

It is a source of pride to Jansen that he has contributed to Chorley’s early success off the pitch, while he has played his part on the field too, scoring twice in 12 league and cup appearances.

While happy to chip in with goals, Jansen’s burning desire is to develop his coaching credentials, with the hope of working at full-time level his ultimate ambition.

“I’m not at Chorley to start making a name for myself as a footballer,” said Jansen, who spent seven years at Ewood Park before a near-fatal motorcycle crash in 2002 signalled the beginning of the end of his professional playing career “But becoming a player-coach is the next step for me. I am happy to play as and when required and hopefully I can strengthen what we’ve already got.

“I’m looking to do my UEFA A and B Licence coaching qualifications. The crash course in next May or June. I could do it with Garry or individually, but we both want to get them done.

“Nowadays you have to get your coaching badges to manage or coach in the Football League, or at least be on your way to getting them.

“This can be another notch on my CV and the first steps towards managing at a higher level.”

“It’s semi-professional (at Chorley) but it’s a good level at which to learn your trade.

“You can make the odd mistake and it’s not hugely costly or magnified like it might be at a higher level.”

The Magpies enjoyed a flying start to their league campaign, romping to the top of the First Division North table after going unbeaten for 11 matches.

An impressive run of results included a sensational away victory at promotion favourites Chester FC, and their success triggered crowds of over 1,000 for home matches against Leigh Genesis and Harrogate Railway Athletic.

A series of defeats in November has seen the Magpies knocked off the top but, heading into the New Year, Jansen is confident that the club can land automatic promotion.

He said: “We will see how far we can take Chorley, but we are very much enjoying it.

“Last season, the crowds averaged 250. This season, they are averaging well over double that figure.

“There’s a big catchment are and there’s potential to build the fanbase.

“Hopefully, we can keep doing well and get promoted. It would be nice to do it automatically.”