HERE is the lowdown on six more opponents for AFC Fylde in 2015/16 as compiled by Jack Connor from the AFC Fylde media team.
Nuneaton Town
After finishing bottom of the Conference Premier last season, Nuneaton will want to bounce back quickly and be right up there challenging for promotion this time around. Nuneaton are based in North Warwickshire and their home ground is Liberty Way, which has a capacity of 4,500. Nuneaton spent three seasons in the Conference Premier before dropping out last season and recently signed attacking midfielder Bilal Yafai from local rivals Leamington.
Solihull Moors
A 2-2 draw with Solihull proved a killer blow for the Coasters after conceding a late penalty which allowed Moors to equalise. This season they won’t have 29 goal striker Omar Bogle leading the line after he joined National League side Grimsby Town. Solihull’s main threat is tricky forward Darryl Knights who scored a well taken goal to open the scoring between the sides at Kellamergh Park. Their home is Danson Park which has a capacity of just over 3,000.
Stalybridge Celtic
Stalybridge handed the Coasters their first defeat of last season with a 3-0 defeat at Bower Fold in their second game. In the return game the Coasters ran out 3-0 winners in early December. Stalybridge spent most of last season in a relegation battle but just did enough to survive and condemn Colwyn Bay to the Northern Premier League. Celtic’s ground as mentioned is Bower Fold which has a capacity of 6,500 and was used by FC United of Manchester in the early part of last season.
Stockport County
County had another frustrating and inconsistent season in 2014-15 finishing in mid table mediocrity. The Hatters play at the 10,000 capacity Edgeley Park and were Football League members for over 100 years before dropping into non league in 2011. Despite a devoted and large fanbase, Stockport have struggled to climb their way back into the Conference Premier but have made some impressive signings this summer including new manager Neil Young and former Derby County defender Gareth Roberts, who was a teammate of Fylde manager Dave Challinor during their days at Tranmere Rovers.
Tamworth
After flirting between the Conference Premier and North for a number of seasons the Lambs were relegated to the Conference North in 2014 and finished just short of a play-off place in 7th last season. Former Mansfield Town striker Ross Dyer has joined Tamworth for the upcoming season as manager and ex Blackpool striker Andy Morrell mounts an assault on the division and a return back to the top tier of non league football.
Worcester City
The highlight of Worcester City’s 2014-15 season came in the FA Cup as they beat Coventry City to progress to the Second Round before losing a marathon penalty shootout to Scunthorpe United. Another famous moment of their 2014-15 season came from striker Sean Geddes who scored an audacious Rabona chip in their 3-0 win over Barrow. The Coasters made light work of Worcester in their league games last year winning both games 4-0, meaning City will be eager to avenge their heavy defeats from last season.
