BOSS MAY DRIVE ROO QUACKERS
ANOTHER incredible FA Cup upset involving non-league Chorley Town, who face Wayne Rooney’s Derby County, could see manager Jamie Vermiglio go absolutely quackers.
Because the 38-year-old (below), who is also a primary school headteacher, does a mean impersonation of famous Disney character Donald Duck’s voice.
His pupils at Locking Stumps Community Primary School in Warrington love it even if Mrs Vermiglio isn’t so keen.
“Will I do it if we beat Derby? Probably not. My missus said if I do it again on TV, we’re finished!“he said with a laugh.
The possible TV audition arrived in the aftermath of the National League North side’s second-round victory at League One promotion-chasing Peterborough United, having already accounted for 2013 Wembley winners Wigan in the previous round.
Vermiglio said: “I’ve been doing Donald Duck impressions for years and, when I became a teacher, it became one of those little things I had in my armoury to help get the kids onside.
“On the way to the last FA Cup game, a couple of people were saying what they were going to do if we won. One said he’d strip naked and then I just went with I would do my Donald Duck voice in my next interview.
“But that was thankfully forgotten amidst the celebrations and it was someone from the local ITV channel who got me to do it a few days later.”
Combining teaching responsibilities with being in charge of a club in football’s sixth tier is a tough ask, but Vermiglio, who also played for Chorley, would not have it any other way.
“Some people go to the gym, others do something else. I just dedicate all my time to school, football and my family,” he said.
Facing Championship side Derby on Saturday, live on BT Sport, is in contrast to the start of the season.
Having been relegated from the National League, Chorley lost their first four games and were bottom of the National League North.
They are now chasing a promotion play-off place, but another FA Cup upset would not go amiss.
“Just to be able to speak to Wayne Rooney, who is a legend, for Manchester United and England, will be fantastic,” added the Chorley boss.
“We’re live on TV and you never know, if we win, I might just do that Donald Duck impression after all!”