MANAGER Dave Challinor and Chairman David Haythornthwaite have expressed their delight at the signing of striker Matty Hughes over the weekend.
The 23 year-old turned down offers to play in the Football League and Conference National to switch to AFC Fylde following his release from Fleetwood Town.
Challinor said: “I’m delighted to be able to bring Matty to the club. As soon as I heard of his release from Fleetwood he was immediately on my radar. I was a little surprised that, given Fleetwood’s change in philosophy to focus on bringing younger players in, that Matty wasn’t given an opportunity but that’s massively to our benefit.
“Sometimes circumstances help get deals over the line and with Matty being local, his partner expecting their first child soon, him wanting to be settled, as well as somewhere with the potential to progress, it all fell into place.
“He’ll undoubtedly bring even more quality to a side that scored the most goals in our division last season. He’s young, quick, has great ability to go past players and can finish. Most importantly for me though he’s a winner and he plays with that will and desire. To get him to the club for two years with an option for a third is fantastic.
“I’m sure he’ll quickly become a firm favourite at Kellamergh Park and in 12 month’s time when we move to Mill Farm.”
Chairman David Haythornthwaite said: “This is a marquee signing for us and I hope makes a statement for our intent to go one better next season. It’s going to be a very hard division next year, much harder than last season so we need all the quality we can get.
“Matty Hughes has always been a player we admired and we had to move quick to get him in. He had offers from two Football League clubs plus his present club Chester, but chose Fylde first.
“The cynics will say, and already have that it’s all about the money but it’s a lot more than that. Matty can see and buys into our vision and where we are going. This is why we gave him a two year deal with an option for a third. He can play at a much higher level and hopefully like everyone else will get the chance to do so with us.”
Coasters fans will get a chance to see him for the first time ironically against his former club Fleetwood Town in our first pre-season friendly on July 9th at Kellamergh Park.
Don’t forget to sign up for an AFC Fylde season ticket to get extra value for your money to come and watch the club in action next season.
And remember you can select a seat in either one of our stands at Kellamergh Park when you sign up for a ticket.
We are also introducing a car parking supplement of £30 for the entire season which guarantees you a reserved bay at Kellamergh Park on matchdays.
Look out for the season ticket brochure which is available at the club shop in Kirkham, or you can also view and download it here
To sign up for a ticket you can drop into the club shop in Kirkham which is open from 8am until 5pm Monday to Friday or Saturday from 9am to 12 noon.
