Challinor appointed AFC Fylde manager

AFC Fylde are delighted to announce the appointment of David Challinor as their new Manager.

Challinor, aged 36, joins the club after informing Blue Square North new boys Colwyn Bay that he wished to drop down two divisions to take the job, a sign of Challinor’s desire to come to Kellamergh Park and citing AFC Fylde’s ambition to climb the non league pyramid as a major factor in his decision.

He guided Colwyn Bay to promotion to the Blue Square North last season winning promotion from the Evo-Stik Premier at his first attempt, after just a year earlier captaining them to Evo Stik One North play off success.

The former Tranmere Rovers, Stockport County and Bury defender impressed Fylde’s Directors with his drive and ambition. The club had a number of ‘high profile applicants’ which came down to a shortlist of four, but Challinor is the man the club believes can lead the Coasters to promotion and beyond. He will be joined by Colin Woodthorpe the former Norwich City, Stockport County and Bury defender, a former team mate and trusted assistant, who worked with him at Bay as his number two.

Challinor is relishing the challenge. “We can’t wait to get started and I’m delighted to get this opportunity. The ambition the club has shown matches ours and it’s the right time and right opportunity for me to come to a club like this. Some may see it as two steps back to take two steps forward but we think this club has great potential to go a lot further. I’ve had three fantastic years with Colwyn Bay and whilst it was a tough decision to leave the club we felt this was too good an opportunity to pass us by. We will meet the staff and players on Thursday for the first time before preparing for Saturday’s game against Cammell Laird. Our brief is to get the club out of this division and beyond and we feel we can be part of something really special here. ”

AFC Fylde Chairman, David Haythornthwaite said “We are absolutely delighted to secure Dave Challinor as our manager. Dave’s application was the first we received when the job became vacant last week. He has done a tremendous job for Colwyn Bay working on a very tight budget, firstly getting them up last season and now being only three points of the play offs in the Blue Square North”.

“Dave is young and like ourselves, extremely ambitious, he impressed us all with his desire for success and his obvious organizational skills. He is also articulate and will represent the club well both on and off the field. He knows the game at this level and has a proven track record of success, something we felt was essential to take us forward.We are very excited in securing Dave and Colin’s services and will support them in every way we can to bring our supporters the success they deserve”.

The club would like to encourage all supporters to turn out in force for his opening game as the new AFC Fylde Manager and give him their full backing.