MEET THE OPPOSITION | AFC FYLDE
We take a closer look at our opponents ahead of our first season in the National League.
AFC Fylde
Founded: 1988 (as Kirkham & Wesham)
Nickname: The Coasters
Manager: Adam Murray
A name that’s certainly not unknown in Oxford, Murray played three seasons in the Conference for Oxford United between 2007 and 2010, however missed the promotion push through injury.
His career started a decade earlier however, and spent six seasons at Derby County, where he had four seasons in the Premier League, before their relegation to the First Division in 2002. Elsewhere he had spells at Carlisle, Macclesfield and Mansfield Town, where he ended his playing days.
He continued in the dugout at Mansfield, taking charge of over 100 games, before moving to Boston for a year between 2016/17. He would follow Valerien Ismael around as assistant - including a spell at Besiktas - before his move back to the UK, where he took charge of AFC Fylde in November 2022.
Last season was a particular highlight for Murray. He joined Fylde in November 2022 and oversaw an upturn in form. Unbeaten in January, he won the National League North Manager of the Month award before the Coasters went on to win the NLN title.
Stadium: Mill Farm (6,000 Capacity)
Built in 2016, AFC Fylde moved to the Football League ready stadium, moving out of their previous home at Kellamergh Park.
A 2,000 seated capacity main stand is then supplemented, with terraced stands behind the goal providing cover to supporters. As part of the complex, commercial units were also built, with a supermarket and petrol station next door, with an onsite hotel also. Kellamergh Park is still in use as Fylde’s training base.
Last Season: Champions, National League North. 🏆
Promoted back into the National League after three seasons in the National League North, the side had initially risen through the leagues at pace after their name change in 2008 to see them promoted four times from the North West Counties League, through the Northern League and then into the National League in just under a decade.
After three solid years in the National League, they were relegated, but a third-place finish in their first season in the National League North was then followed by finishing Champions last season to earn their place back at the helm of Non-League
Past Meetings:
Apologies, City fans. This is one you’ve surely erased from your mind, and I’m sorry to have to remind you again.
The clubs have only met twice, back in 2014/15, which Fylde won both of. The home game was just a complete disaster.
Darren Pond scored in the first half for City, but this wasn’t enough to stop the Hoops going 6-1 down at the break, with two more added in the second half for a rather embarrassing 8-1 defeat. The reverse fixture was slightly better, but City still went on to lose, but only by a 2-1 scoreline.
Played for both: None
Fixtures for 23/24:
Home: Saturday 7th October
Away: Saturday 23rd March
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