AFC Fylde v Darlington

Saturday 11th March 2023, 3pm
Vanarama Conference North

 
AFC Fylde FC:
Mill Farm, Coronation Way, Wesham, Lancs, PR4 3JZ
Tel: 01253 794555; Twitter: @AFCFYLDE

History: A new club which has had quite a rise, with echoes of Rushden and Diamonds from a few years back. It was formed in 1988 from the merger of Kirkham Town and Wesham. But it wasn't until the late 1990s that the club started causing a stir in the West Lancashire league and after joining the North West Counties league set out with a bold eye on the Conference. They also enjoyed a FA Vase win at their first attempt, in front of 19,500 fans at Wembley in 2008. Under ex-Tranmere player Dave Challinor as manager and backed by a millionaire chairman, Fylde have won two promotions and were challenging hard again last season. The club's new 6,000-capacity stadium - with an eye on an eventual Football League spot - was another sign of their ambition, as they hit the ground running but have missed out on promotion two seasons in a row, after reaching the play-offs.
Record Attendance: 1,418 v F.C. United of Manchester (2012)
Capacity: 6,000 (includes 2,000 terrace spaces)
Last season: 3rd (play-offs)
Honours: Evostik Nothern Premier play-off winners 2013-2014; Northern Premier Div One North champions 2011-12; FA Vase winners 2007-08; Vodkat Premier champions 2009

Record victory: 10-0 v Droylsden (2013)
Defeat: 1-4 Accrington Stanley (2012)
Nickname: The Coasters
Colours: White
Manager: James Rowe
Chairman: David Haythornthwaite

Click here for streetmap of the AFC Fylde ground

Admission prices (2022/23) Adults £14 (standing) £18 (seats); Under 16 £8 (standing) and £10 (seats). There is an away seating allocation in the West Stand alongside the pitch but also standing for 2,000 fans.

From the North - Distance from Darlington 112 miles (2 hours). A slightly more nice scenic journey for a change for Darlo fans. Take the A66 cross Pennine route towards Penrith and then join the M6 south. Leave the motorway at junction 32 to join the M55 towards Blackpool. At junction 3, take the A585 exit and the ground is less than half a mile from here.

Parking: Plenty of room is promised in the stadium car park.

 

Darlington FC Supporters' Club
Coach Contact: Darlington FC Supporters Group, call 01325 250531 or 07951 434731 to book a seat. Details of the supporters' group travel can be found here.

Kirkham Macs Taxis 01772 683003
Warton Village Taxis 01772 633111
Freckleton Taxis 01772 460424

Thankfully, the new stadium is half a mile from Kirkham and Wesham railway station, which is 11 minutes out of Preston, for connections to Crewe and beyond. There should be a train back about 17:50.

The stadium is a 15 minute walk away along the B5192 through the village and past the fire station - not four miles away like the old ground.

The official site is pretty comprehensive and neatly done.

Lytham St Anne's Express

At the ground:

Bradleys Sports Bar, Mill Farm Sports Village, Coronation Way, Wesham, PR4 3JZ
Sports bar at the stadium complex, with lots of TV screens showing the lunchtime footie. Beer from Everards, Bowland and Moorhouse breweries, plus food. Room for 290.

Pubs near ground/village centre:

Stanley Arms, Garstang Road South, Wesham, Lancashire, PR4 3BL
Pub near the station, Doombar and food served.

Kingfisher Tavern, St Georges Park, Preston, Kirkham PR4 2DZ
This modern JW Lees pub is south of the ground, away from the village centre.

Royal Oak, 14 Garstang Road South, Wesham, Preston, Lancashire, PR4 3BL
A short distance from the station. Up to four guest beers. Enterprise Inn

Local area and countryside:

Craft House beer cafe and micro-bar, 5 Clifton Street, Lytham FY8 5EP
A few minutes walk from Lytham station (12 minutes by train to Kirkham and Chesham) and on a frequent bus route to Fylde (six miles). Open Sat from 12 noon. Two or three cask ales, craft beers and lagers. Seating inside for 14 and seats outside for a dozen. CAMRA discounts. Email address is crafthouse624@gmail.com.

Dolphin, Marsh Lane, Longton, PR4 5JY
Country pub, 3.5 miles from the ground, at the end of a lane on Longton Marsh. Four real ales and good food

The stadium features several snack bars for pies and drinks. At the stadium complex is Milano’s Mediterranean restaurant and also Aroma Cafe.