The much-travelled striker, who was born within a stone’s throw of Victoria Park, was a spectator at Villa Park for the Linnets’ famous 2-1 victory over Tamworth over 12 years ago.
Burscough v Bamber Bridge
The FA Trophy
Preliminary round
Victoria Park
3pm Saturday 3 October 2015
Winning sides receive £2,500
Now 34, and embarking on his first full season in management at his beloved Burscough, he is still listed as a player but illness has limited his appearances this term.
Yet Beesley – who played in the FA Trophy semi-finals with Chester in 2001 – says this Saturday’s preliminary round clash with Bamber Bridge has brought the memories flooding back.
“All of the FA competitions are special to me, especially the FA Trophy,” said the former Preston, Hereford United, Forest Green Rovers, Southport, Fleetwood Town, York City and Hednesford Town forward.
“I played in the semi-finals with Chester and then a couple of years later I went to the final at Villa Park when Burscough won in 2003 as a supporter.
“It was a great day for the whole village. My roots are in Burscough, I moved all around when I was playing, but now I’ve settled back there.
“It means a bit more to me because this is my club and my assistant Liam Blakeman is the same. He’s a Burscough boy. We just want to see the boys do well.
“We are all looking forward to the competition starting. At our level Bamber Bridge are a top team, always up there challenging around the play-offs come the end of the season and are starting to put a decent run together.
“I’m not sure home advantage will count for too much, but this will be a good test for us as they have a strong squad with plenty of experience.”
Bamber Bridge’s record in the FA Trophy is far less illustrious – they have never made it past the second round in their 41-year existence.
However this weekend’s clash looks set to be a close-fought affair. The Brig are a point above Burscough in the Evo-Stik First Division North table and boss Neil Crowe is looking to take advantage.
“Burscough is not going to be an easy game on Saturday. However, when we play to the top of our game we are a match for anybody,” said Crowe.
“I know Burscough won the FA Trophy in 2003 but that was years ago, they are a completely different side to what they are now.
“I know a bit about them, they are a great footballing side, it has great makings of being a top game on Saturday but we will worry about we have to do on the pitch more than focusing on other people.
“If we can perform and play to our best ability which I know we can do we can win the game, that is what we are looking towards.”
