AFC Fylde

[Ralph]

AFC FYLDE PASS THE TEST
From the official AFC Fylde website

AFC Fylde have announced that following a recent inspection, Fylde’s Kellamergh Park ground has been declared fit for the new National League (formerly known as the Vanarama Conference).

Fylde have had to make some serious investment in bringing their ground up to standard which included new floodlights, crash barriers, toilet block and a new 250 seated stand.

All in all, the total investment has been around GBP85,000 but chairman David Haythornthwaite said: “The news is well worth the investment. It’s no secret we want to play at a higher level and although our new ground will come on stream in March next year we had to plan for promotion this year. With two games to go we still have a realistic chance of automatic promotion, if not we will be in the play-off lottery. If we don’t go up we will have no regrets about the investment even though some of it will appear to some as wasted money. As the old saying goes if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

As part of the improvements, Fylde’s ground now has an increased capacity of 3180 with 520 seats which is a 40% increase on the previous capacity.

[spirit of 1990]

Two things (and I do realise that is an official statement)

Surely "crush" (not crash) barriers.....unless they're bothered about a tractor hurtling into their allotment!

3180 capacity! how do they get away with that? with no dissrespect meant (to HOB's) - it's not much better than Holker old boy's ground.

[TheDarkLord]

AFC Fylde are worthy to be champions this year with the football they play, Barrow have been lucky that this season has been one for the hoof ball teams. Barrow will not stay in the conference if they go up, Fylde on the other hand have a fighting chance.

AFC Fylde and Chorley to be promoted.

[TH Coaster]

I agree, I reckon Barrow will bottle it, maybe even just the final game of the season, allowing for a party at Kellamergh Park

[mickmike wilson]

Gentlemen, welcome to our board, Who ever wins the title will have earned it.

[Steelworks End]

3180 capacity! how do they get away with that? with no dissrespect meant (to HOB's) - it's not much better than Holker old boy's ground.

Their crowds (in the loosest sense of the word) aren't much better than Holker's!

[TH Coaster]

3180 capacity! how do they get away with that? with no dissrespect meant (to HOB's) - it's not much better than Holker old boy's ground.

Their crowds (in the loosest sense of the word) aren't much better than Holker's!

To be fair, we've got two semi-big clubs around us that take fans away, Barrow is sort of on it's own. You can't blame us for unfortunate geography despite our success.

[tommy2thumbs]

Oh My,
The Donkey Fondlers have woken up.....

[DaveP]

What are they gonna call themselves when their owner merges them with Blackpool??

[Steelworks End]

What are they gonna call themselves when their owner merges them with Blackpool??

To be fair, I thought that Fylde were more ambitious than that!

[K_BFC]

Their crowds (in the loosest sense of the word) aren't much better than Holker's!

To be fair, we've got two semi-big clubs around us that take fans away, Barrow is sort of on it's own. You can't blame us for unfortunate geography despite our success.

Appreaciate your problem with big clubs on your door step, at least renaming yourselves AFC Fylde widens your appeal to those that don't know the club is really Kirkham & Wesham FC. Barrow being on it's own is a problem in itself. Barrow is so geographically isolated and the population is sparse once you get outside Barrow itself, the county is mostly rural, we have all kinds of problems regarding fan support. We would have to rename ourselves AFC Cumbria to compare with what AFC Fylde are doing, and then most would go to Carlisle, some to Kendal and Workington. Many would still go south to Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool, etc. like they already do, they just happen to live up here. Never mind the fans we have always had to pay players a premium to get them to travel up for home games, training, etc. What you gain one way you lose another, swings and roundabouts.

Re-capacity... 3000 (500 of which must be covered seating) is the requirement of a grade B ground, minimum requirement for entry to Conference National/National League. They require a capability to expand to 4000 but I guess their new ground covers that part. Notice that the date their new ground will be ready keeps slipping, now it is March. At first they were saying when they played us that this time next year they would be in their new ground, things not getting off the ground as fast as they had hoped. I think staffing at the ground will be more of an issue, it has been pointed out a few times they don't have the required first-aiders and very few stewards at big games. In the conference national away support can be significant at times.

[McMark]

To be fair, we've got two semi-big clubs around us that take fans away, Barrow is sort of on it's own. You can't blame us for unfortunate geography despite our success.

Appreaciate your problem with big clubs on your door step, at least renaming yourselves AFC Fylde widens your appeal to those that don't know the club is really Kirkham & Wesham FC. Barrow being on it's own is a problem in itself. Barrow is so geographically isolated and the population is sparse once you get outside Barrow itself, the county is mostly rural, we have all kinds of problems regarding fan support. We would have to rename ourselves AFC Cumbria to compare with what AFC Fylde are doing, and then most would go to Carlisle, some to Kendal and Workington. Many would still go south to Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool, etc. like they already do, they just happen to live up here. Never mind the fans we have always had to pay players a premium to get them to travel up for home games, training, etc. What you gain one way you lose another, swings and roundabouts.

Re-capacity... 3000 (500 of which must be covered seating) is the requirement of a grade B ground, minimum requirement for entry to Conference National/National League. They require a capability to expand to 4000 but I guess their new ground covers that part. Notice that the date their new ground will be ready keeps slipping, now it is March. At first they were saying when they played us that this time next year they would be in their new ground, things not getting off the ground as fast as they had hoped. I think staffing at the ground will be more of an issue, it has been pointed out a few times they don't have the required first-aiders and very few stewards at big games. In the conference national away support can be significant at times.

AFC Cumbria give over man!!! BAFC LANCASHIRE feasible, but we are fine just fine! We are BARROW AFC

[Matty Bassdriver]

To be fair, we've got two semi-big clubs around us that take fans away.

Sounds very similar to what the Colne Dynamoes fan(s) used to say in the late 80's...until they vanished from the football map!
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colne_Dynamoes_F.C.

Serious question TH Coaster, does Mr Haythornthwaite seriously think if he gets Kirkham & Wesham / AFC Fylde far enough up the football ladder then he will be able to produce enough new 'fans' to make his club sustainable? The 'two semi-big clubs' on your doorstep aren't going anywhere (unless the Oysten's really mess things up - which is admittedly possible!). Mr Pilley is also on a mission to extend his fanbase. Why put millions into a football stadium investment for which the business case appears flawed? Surely as soon as the Haythornthwaite money dries up the new stadium will become Nene Park Mark II ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-no ... e-29042417 )

[HenneysKnee]

Still can't believe what a shambles they produced, one turnstile for 1000 away fans and one turnstile for their 7 season ticket holders

[finbar17]

AFC fold won't even go up this year. Big bumper chorley christmas fixtures for us. Can't wait.