AFC Fylde is delighted to announce the appointment of Jake Williams and Steve Mainwaring as the joint First Team Managers of the AFC Fylde Women’s team.

Both Jake, 32, and Steve, 35, have extensive coaching and management experience in the men’s and women’s game in the UK, Europe, Australia, and the USA, and most recently secured consecutive league titles with Bury AFC Women.

Jake started his footballing career in the Manchester United Academy, with Steve initially playing for Liverpool FC and Blackburn Rovers FC, before ending their respective playing days in favour of coaching/management roles. They are both UEFA ‘B’ qualified coaches.

The Board of AFC Fylde provide their full support to Jake and Steve in what will be an important final 10 matches of the 2023/24 season.

AFC Fylde would also like to offer their sincere thanks and appreciation for the support provided by Connor Wild during his period as Interim Manager. Connor will now resume the position of Assistant Manager/Senior Coach.

Jake spoke on the deal saying, “I’m absolutely delighted to join the club. From the minute we came in for the interview, we saw the club’s professionalism.

“So we can’t wait to get started, meet the team and start the challenge of keeping this club in the National League.”

Steve Mainwaring added, “It feels unbelievable to be here. The opportunity we’ve been given by Phil is one we just couldn’t turn down.

The hard work starts now and the aim is to keep us in the league.”

Executive Vice Chairman, Phil Humphreys, commented: “Following an extensive recruitment process, in which there were several high-quality candidates, we are extremely pleased to be able to appoint Jake and Steve as our joint first team managers.

“As we enter the final 10-match phase of what has been a very challenging season for the AFC Fylde Women’s team, I know that everyone connected with the club appreciates the importance of retaining our position in the FA Women’s National League North, and, critically, that our new managers are capable and up for meeting that challenge.

“On behalf of the club, its supporters, and volunteers, I wish Jake and Steve every success”.