AFC Fylde would like to announce that, following today’s FA Cup victory over Altrincham, Jim Bentley will now temporarily pass on managerial duties to Nick Chadwick, to enable Jim to enter a period of self-isolation ahead of his operation on November, 3.

Jim will oversee things from afar for the next week, before turning his focus towards his recovery. 

Speaking to afcfylde.co,uk, he said: “I’ve known about the operation for a long time, and I’ll go into a period of self-isolation now. I’ve got a couple of tests coming up and then I’ll have the operation at the start of November.

“I’ve got full trust in the staff that we’ve got here at the minute; Chaddy has been superb, as he had big boots to fill in Kenny McKenna – he’s been my right-hand man for years so I’ve been really fortunate that Chaddy’s come in and been superb. I’ve got full trust in him and all the staff that will support him. 

“I will always be at the end of the phone and watching the games during my recovery via the stream; I’ll still be speaking to the players on the phone and dropping them texts here and there to check in on performances and training etc.

“It’s important now that I recover right and do what I need to do. I have to stay away now, but there’s no better time to bow out than after five wins out five, so hopefully that continues. 

“The players have been great since they’ve come back, the staff have been superb too. I’ve just had a chat with them all in the changing room about what will be expected of them. We’ve got some good experienced pro’s in Nathan Pond, Chris Neal, David Perkins, Danny Philliskirk, Alex Whitmore, so we will have to lean on them. 

“I’ll get my situation sorted and hopefully come back fitter than ever.”

Everybody associated with the football club would like to wish Jim all the best with his operation and a speedy recovery.