Former AFC Fylde manager Mick Fuller believes it would be fate if the Coasters achieved promotion to the Football League this season. 

Exactly ten years ago, Fuller guided then-Kirkham & Wesham to Wembley glory in the FA Vase and the club legend believes Fylde would take some stopping if they reach the National League play-offs.

The Coasters trail the promotion places by five points following defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge at the weekend, but Fuller is keeping his fingers crossed that the Fylde fairytale continues.

Fuller, who enjoyed unprecedented success during his 16-year tenure, said: “You just can’t write stories like this. Going from a park pitch, to Kellamergh Park and now Mill Farm, it’s unbelievable. 

“I have seen the club evolve from effectively a pub team and a lot of people laughed when 2022 went on the sleeves. They claimed there was no chance that we could make it to the League by then but it is very much achievable. 

“To be doing so well in the National League at the first time of asking is a massive achievement.

“It went through my mind a few weeks ago that it’s almost exactly ten years since the FA Vase triumph in 2008 and you just never know, it could be fate. They could get out of this league at the first attempt. 

“If they can finish in those play-offs and they are playing well, then there’s not many teams that could stand in their way. 

“They have had some great results against the top sides so who knows. 

“The fact that the team has over-achieved, I think there will be an element of disappointment if they don’t get into the play-offs and that’s huge credit to everyone involved.

“No one expected the club to be right up there in a first season when you are tying to find your feet. 

“However, it’s still in the back of my mind that 10 years on from Wembley and the club get into the Football League.”

Fuller also see similarities in the club’s current success to the improbable Wembley dream a decade ago: “People would write to us and get in touch as we were going through the rounds in the FA Vase, beating sides in leagues above us.

“I’ll never forget a moment after we beat Coventry Sphinx in the quarter-finals. A man and his wife had been following us through the competition and after the game I got a message from them saying ‘your name is written on that FA Vase’. 

“We still had a lot to do but from that point it was like it was written in the stars. Hopefully the same is the case a decade later and the current team can achieve their dream.”