Nick Anderton and Conrad Prendergast have been announced as part of Chris Beech’s backroom staff for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign.

We’re delighted to announce that the AFC Fylde backroom staff has been further strengthened by the appointment of Nick Anderton as the Assistant First Team Coach. Nick, a Lancastrian by birth, has played for several EFL clubs, including Preston North End, Blackpool, Carlisle United, and Bristol Rovers, together with various clubs in the National League, before his enforced retirement from professional football at the age of 26, in April 2023.

In anticipation of his early retirement, Nick made the conscious decision to embark on a career as a football coach, which will begin under the experienced stewardship of First Team Head Coach, Chris Beech.

We’re equally delighted to also announce that Conrad Prendergast has been promoted from his AFC Fylde Academy coaching duties to work alongside Nick as a senior coach for the First Team. Conrad will perform his new responsibilities in parallel with managing the Academy under-18’s team.

Speaking following the announcement, Chris Beech said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Conrad and Nick have joined the backroom staff at the football club, as we look to secure and consolidate our position in the National League, and these appointments will undoubtedly help us to do that”.

“Nick has been through a tough time over the last few years, and for us to provide him with the chance to stay in the sport he loves is one that we’re proud and privileged to be able to do. His experience, together with the depth of his personal qualities and resolve, shown during his time a professional footballer are an inspiration to those around him and I’m certain that he’ll bring a unique professional skillset and ‘player-relatability’ to our backroom staff at the football club. 

“Conrad’s experience and work ethic speak for themselves, and we’re very lucky to have his support day-to-day with the first team, alongside what he does so well for the AFC Fylde Academy. This season we’ve seen the progression of Academy players progressing through to the First Team squad (including a very impressive FA Youth Cup run), and this is due in no little part to the professionalism and focus of Conrad as part of the wider Academy staff. Importantly, Conrad’s promotion also sends a very clear signal that it’s not only our Academy players that can progress to the First Team.

“With Nick and Conrad already fully embedded within the backroom staff, and welcomed by the players, we are genuinely looking forward to what we believe will be a successful time for them both and for AFC Fylde”.