CHORLEY manager Garry Flitcroft has made a passionate plea to fans of Blackburn Rovers to become Magpie supporters for 90 minutes this weekend.

The Magpies urgently need a cash injection to stave off a major financial crisis and Flitcroft and his first team coach Matt Jansen are hoping Rovers fans will lend a helping hand.

On Saturday Chorley host Nantwich, who are managed by another former Ewood Park favourite Jimmy Quinn, at Victory Park.

And, with Rovers not in action until the following day at Sunderland, Flitcroft is appealing to Blackburn fans to adopt his Magpies as their second team for the afternoon.

The Chorley chief said: “The club has some serious financial problems.

“I’d therefore like to appeal to Blackburn fans to adopt us as their second team in our hour of need.

“With Rovers away at Sunderland if any fans are at a loose end on Saturday and want an excuse to get out of the Christmas shopping then we’d make them very welcome at our game with Nantwich.

“If we could pull in a crowd of 1,000-plus for Saturday’s game it would be a major help at what is a difficult time for the club.”

The Magpies have been plunged into a crisis after the club’s former accountant was arrested on suspicion of theft and false accounting in September.

Flitcroft has since revealed the club is still to pay its bill.

He said: “The reality is the club has been plunged into a major crisis and, despite the best efforts of our chairman Ken Wright and the board, those problems aren’t going away.

“There is a big hole in the budget and we are facing a major battle to fill the void.

“Over the last two weeks we haven’t been able to pay the players in full because we faced two bills from the taxman.

“The situation is as serious as it gets and we urgently need some help to overcome the problems we are facing.

“I’ve already had to release some players because of the situation we find ourselves in and more could follow.

“The sad thing is this is a time when we should be kicking on as a football club and enjoying the success we are having on the pitch.

"Instead, we are having to work tirelessly just to keep the club afloat.

“It breaks my heart to see what’s happening because we have all put so much work into getting the club where it is today.

“The lads have worked so hard for me and we have a fantastic chance of winning promotion again this season if I can keep the squad together.”

Rovers season ticket holders can watch Chorley’s game against Nantwich this Saturday for just £5 if they present their season tickets at the turnstiles.