A football coach who hails from Bala has spoken of his pride following his team’s fourth round exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Premier League outfit Wolves.

Alasdair Hamilton, who is responsible for the conditioning of sixth-tier Chorley FC’s players, has enjoyed the thrills and spills of the prestigious cup contest which has seen them knock out one Championship and two League One teams before losing out 1-0 against Nuno Espírito Santo’s men.

Alasdair, head sport scientist and strength and conditioning coach for the Lancashire side, attended Ysgol Bro Tegid and Ysgol y Berwyn, in Bala, before furthering his education at Aberystwyth University and Bangor University.

Having beaten Wayne Rooney’s Derby County in Round Three and also seeing off Peterborough and Wigan Athletic, expectations were high going into the home tie against Wolves at Victory Park last week.

He said: “Leading up to Friday night the excitement was crazy! Knowing in a few hours that we will be coming up against Premier League football team Wolves, having players worth £40 million and of course the fastest player in the league, Adama Traoré.”

Alasdair, who has worked with Sale Sharks Rugby Club and the Wales Rugby 7s National Team, added: “Setting up in my area, I made sure all energy supplementation was in place, all players were hydrated, and to tick off everything related to fitness and performance.

“From now it was down to the players themselves. It was the first time in the history of the club reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup, and being on the coaching team was a huge achievement for myself.

“Cameras were on, lights were on. The evening began with a warm up led by myself, having the thought in the back of my mind that I’m the one who needs to start to motivate the players first. Everything was done, in place and kick-off was on time.

“Sat on the side of the pitch, watching a Premier League side against a non-league side is a feeling that no words can describe.

“The speed of the ball, the speed of the players were unbelievable.”

Chorley, who have earned nearly £500,000 from their cup run, came away with all the credit from the tie even after falling a goal behind on 12 minutes.

“Going down 1-0 to a screamer of a goal isn’t the feeling you’d like to have, as nothing could have been done to stop it.

“Throughout the game we were pressing, had the highest shots on goal over a Premier League team.

“Wolves began to drop! They subbed three at the same time including Adama Traoré and Ruben Neves.

“We carried on as much as was possible keeping shape, pressing up the pitch but unfortunately the night wasn’t ours. But a 1-0 score line was sublime considering there were 109 places between us and Wolves.

“Being the head sport scientist/strength and conditioning coach and managing the fitness levels of part-time players to hold up a Premier League team is a job well done for myself. A memory that I will remember for a long time.”

He added: “Now our next goal is the league. After the league management decided on a two-week postponement, having our last game of 1-0 against Wolves is very positive moving forward.

“Fingers crossed, we will be promoted. Why shouldn’t we? Espcially if we have gotten to the fourth round of the FA Cup.”

Alasdair has sympathy for the Welsh Premier clubs whose games hale also been put on hold because of Covid-19.

“I also hope the Welsh Premier League returns sooner than later. Being from Bala and having worked through Welsh football, it is very disappointing knowing they’re unable to play.

“I’d like to offer any support in areas of strength and conditioning to whoever needs it.

“This is the time that all football and sport communities must help each other.”