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. 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 Kirkham Macs Taxis 01772 683003 |
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. |
At the ground:
Bradleys Sports Bar, Mill Farm Sports Village, Coronation Way, Wesham, PR4 3JZ Pubs near ground/village centre: Stanley Arms, Garstang Road South, Wesham, Lancashire, PR4 3BL
Kingfisher Tavern, St Georges Park, Preston, Kirkham PR4 2DZ
Royal Oak, 14 Garstang Road South, Wesham, Preston, Lancashire, PR4 3BL Local area and countryside:
Craft House beer cafe and micro-bar, 5 Clifton Street, Lytham FY8 5EP
Dolphin, Marsh Lane, Longton, PR4 5JY |
The stadium features several snack bars for pies and drinks. At the stadium complex is Milano’s Mediterranean restaurant and also Aroma Cafe.
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