AFC Fylde are delighted to announce a new partnership with the University Of Bolton’s sports science and medical departments.

The partnership will see both AFC Fylde and Fylde Ladies FC granted access to the University’s state-of-the-art facilities for player testing and screening.

The first session took place last week with Associate Lecturer John Lucas visiting the Coasters’ training ground.

The players were put through their paces by the staff and students in their end of season screening and with the results were given their close season training plans.

Both the men’s and women’s squads will return for pre-season testing in July when they will be joined by AFC Fylde’s Head of Media, Dan Agnew, who will be gaining an insight as to just how tough pre-season can be.

Speaking about the partnership, Associate Lecturer in Sports Rehabilitation at the University of Bolton, John Lucas said: “The ambition shown by Fylde matches the ambition of the University, and we are looking forward to working with them.

“The club is extremely driven in its aim to reach the Football League and we feel, as a University, that we can contribute and help the club achieve their goal.

“Students will work with the team when they visit the University, as well as placement opportunities. This gives them the chance to gain real-world hands-on experience which underpins the vision of the institution.

“The University is associated with a host of professional football clubs and it is with great pleasure that we add AFC Fylde to that list, and look forward to working with both the men’s and women’s teams.”

AFC Fylde Manager Dave Challinor outlined what the partnership means for his team: “The Partnership with the University of Bolton will increase the professionalism of the club.

“It will allow me to monitor players and what they’ve done over the summer to give me their baseline measurements for pre-season.

“At the end of pre-season screening the players will be given techniques in terms of training readiness and injury prevention. Players will also have been set goals for where they need to be in terms of strength, power, flexibility and endurance.

“Having a relationship with John, and the staff at the University, will give the team access to fantastic facilities and their knowledge of working within professional sports, which will prove very useful to call upon.’

“The partnership will see the University of Bolton have a presence both at the stadium and within the matchday programme.”