Competitive football with fans makes a return to Nethermoor on Saturday for the first time in 525 days as AFC Fylde visit in the opening fixture of the 2021/22 Vanarama National League North fixture.
Match sponsored by: ICM Debt Recovery
Tickets can be purchased online in advance here or on the day at the turnstiles with payment being by cash only, it is also cash payments inside the ground for programmes, food and drink and 50/50 cash draw tickets.
Matchday programmes will be available from sellers located near each turnstile priced at £3, the 52 page publication includes plenty of exclusive features, click here to find out what is in Saturday’s edition of The Lions.
A minutes applause will be held before kick-off on Saturday as we remember all those connected to the club we have lost during the time away from Nethermoor Park.
The last time Nethermoor hosted supporters for a Vanarama National League North fixture was on 7th March 2020 when Andrai Jones, Kaine Felix and Jamie Spencer netted in a 3-0 win over Leamington and just over 17 months later we’re back for the start of the 2021/22 campaign.
It is the first time we have clashed with AFC Fylde since John Rooney’s late winner in February 2018 in non league’s top tier but following the 2019/20 season ending on a points per game basis Jim Bentley’s side were relegated back to the Vanarama National League North.
The Coasters bring with them a squad with familiar names such as Jordan Hulme, Jack Sampson, Stephen Dobbie, Nick Haughton and more as they look to challenge for promotion back to the Vanarama National League.
The full time side are managed by former Morecambe gaffer and player Jim Bentley who left the Shrimpers to take up the challenge with Fylde midway through the 2019/20 season.
Over the summer Russ O’Neill and Marcus Bignot have added firepower up front with the acquisitions of Jordan Thewlis and Jake Day as well as the signings of Jamie Spencer and Regan Hutchinson.
Speaking ahead of the opening fixture of the season Joint Manager Russ O’Neill said “We are going to have to turn the result against Stockport into a reaction for the game against AFC Fylde.”
“I think we will find out on 14th August how much we have learnt, you cannot read into positive or negative results in pre-season, we will find out more after the first month of the season and I am looking forward to hosting AFC Fylde.”
“I don’t think AFC Fylde will be far away from what we have faced against Stockport and FC Halifax Town, we are coming up against four full time teams out of our first five fixtures and that is why we have picked these difficult games in pre-season.”
“We were mindful that the pre-season games would be tough games but we need that, there is no point playing teams where we are going to win 4 or 5-0 when AFC Fylde will be at the level they are at.”
Regan Hutchinson also spoke ahead of the opening fixture of the season about pre-season and signing a contract with the club “I am delighted to be here, it is long overdue. Working with Russ and Marcus has been great, Russ is a massive driver for my motivation in getting me back playing and Marcus tactically is so good I have learnt so much off him.”
“Pre-season has been good, we have had some difficult games but learnt a lot from them. When you leave a club you feel like you’re in the real world a bit in finding a new club as you’re trying to pave your way in the game and work ten times harder.”
“It is so good to have fans back in for that extra motivation, the fans have been brilliant so far as we get a good crowd in it is such a good motivation to have a crowd behind you, it typifies football.”
Speaking about his hopes for the season the 20 year-old said “I want to play every game this season, as many as I can. We want to push for promotion, I know every team will say that, I believe in the players here, we have some great technical players who will push us far and the coaching staff are brilliant.”
Get your tickets now here and cheer on The Lions as we return with fans back at Nethermoor Park.
