AFC Fylde's experienced central defender Michael Stringfellow has left the club and has taken up an exciting new challenge as Player Manager of West Lancs League side Garstang FC.
Stringfellow joined the Coasters in July 2010 from Lancaster City and was a key player in last season's play off bid, also standing in as captain in skipper Rick Mercer's absence. Last season ended in dissapointment for the defender when he broke his arm in the Play Off final against Chorley but he got himself fit last summer and forced his way back into the side.
The wholehearted defender made over 60 appearances for AFC Fylde and despite being left out of the side in recent weeks new boss Dave Challinor had spoke to the defender but could not gaurantee 1st team football. Challinor said " At the moment Rick Mercer and Glen Steel are starting defensive pairing and Stringy could have stayed at fought for his place which I'd asked him to do but this looks like a very good opportunity for him to play and manage so good luck to him."
Stringfellow himself was full of praise for the club and only had positive words to say about his time with the club " I've really enjoyed my time at Fylde and I'm sure the club will go onto get promotion and climb the pyramid with it's drive and ambition. The club has been good to me and it's managed on and off the field very professionally. After speaking to new boss Dave Challinor since his appointment I've thought about my position in the long term but this opportunity came up which is great move for me. I've done all my badges now through the work I do at Morecambe FC and I've got plenty of playing experience and contacts so this presents a great challenge and I'm looking forward to it. I'm sure I will keep in touch with many people at the club and maybe form some links in the future but I really want to thank everyone at the club and supporters for their support, I really want the club to get promoted this season and I'm sure they can with the lads in that dressing room."
Everyone at AFC Fylde would like to thank 'Stringy' for his contribution and wish him well for the future. |
