AFC Fylde are delighted to announce the appointment of Alex Hay as Chief Scout.

Hay will oversee the introduction of a complete scouting network at the club, from watching games and producing match reports on opposition teams to highlighting potential targets for recruitment into the first team.

The 34-year-old brings a wealth of experience to the role and is already well known to manager Dave Challinor.

Hay began his scouting career with Chester before moving into a full time role with Tranmere Rovers. On leaving Tranmere, he worked for Eastleigh in the National League and began this season as Chief Scout at fellow National League North club Stockport County.

As a player, Hay was a teammate of Challinor at Tranmere Rovers and having kept in contact over the years, the manager was delighted to get a deal done.

Challinor said: “This is something, in terms of scouting and recruitment, that the Chairman and I have wanted to implement for some time. It has taken time to work out what we want from the role and most importantly who was the best person to fill it.

“I’d spoken to Alex in the summer and explained that we were looking at this area but we were undecided whether it would be a part time or a full time role. In the meantime a role came up with Neil Young at Stockport and we weren’t in a position to proceed.

“Alex has since moved on from Stockport and the timing was perfect for him to come in with us. Alex has great experience, knowledge and contacts at this level and in the league’s above. This is the start of the process for us and not only are we looking to recruit players ready for the first team, but also rough diamonds that we can coach and develop for the future.”

Hay said: “I’m delighted to be joining the club. The prospect of what lies ahead and what the club are hoping to achieve really excites me. We are building foundations for the future and the Chairman’s ambition is something that really stood out for me.

“I played with Chally at Tranmere and we have kept in touch ever since. The club were looking to appoint and I had just left Stockport so this was perfect timing for both parties.”

The news comes on the back of AFC Fylde Academy recruit Josh Kay penning a professional deal with League One club Barnsley.