Club Overview
Full Name: Association Football Club Fylde
Nickname: The Coasters
Founded: 1988 (as Kirkham & Wesham)
League: National League
Ground: Mill Farm
Location: Wesham, Lancashire
Colours: White & Black
AFC Fylde are one of the most ambitious clubs in non-league football. Since being formed through the merger of Kirkham Town and Wesham FC in 1988, the club has climbed from local football to the National League while developing one of the finest stadiums outside the Football League.
Quick Facts
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1988 |
| Former Name | Kirkham & Wesham |
| Nickname | The Coasters |
| Stadium | Mill Farm |
| Capacity | 6,000 |
| Opened | 2016 |
| Postcode | PR4 3JZ |
| League | National League |
| Main Rivals | Chorley, Southport |
| Club Colours | White & Black |
Mill Farm was built to Football League standards and opened in 2016 as part of a £25 million sports village development.
Stadium Guide
Mill Farm
Ground Information
- Capacity: 6,000
- Seats: 2,000
- Opened: August 2016
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Address: Coronation Way, Wesham, Preston, PR4 3JZ
- Football League standard facility
- Sports bar, restaurant and hospitality suites onsite
Mill Farm is regarded as one of the most modern stadiums in non-league football. The impressive main stand dominates the ground and includes executive facilities, hospitality areas and supporters’ bars.
Record Attendance
3,858 vs Chorley
National League North
26 December 2016.
Parking & Access
- Located just off Junction 3 of the M55
- On-site parking available
- Wesham railway station approximately 15 minutes walk away
- Aldi, Greggs and food outlets located within the sports village complex.
Club History
AFC Fylde began life in 1988 as Kirkham & Wesham following the merger of Kirkham Town and Wesham FC. The club spent many years progressing through local football before a remarkable rise through the pyramid under chairman David Haythornthwaite.
One of the club’s biggest achievements came in 2007/08 when they won the FA Vase at Wembley, defeating Lowestoft Town in front of more than 36,000 spectators. That victory helped establish the club as one of the most ambitious forces in non-league football.
The club adopted the name AFC Fylde in 2008 as part of a wider vision to represent the Fylde Coast region. Promotions followed through the Northern Premier League system before the club reached the National League North.
In 2016 the club moved into the new Mill Farm Sports Village. Just one year later they won the National League North title and secured promotion to the National League for the first time in their history.
Since then AFC Fylde have established themselves as one of the strongest full-time clubs outside the Football League, regularly competing for promotion while continuing to develop their facilities both on and off the pitch.
Honours
National Honours
- FA Trophy Winners (2018/19)
- FA Vase Winners (2007/08)
League Honours
- National League North Champions
- Northern Premier League Premier Division Champions
- Northern Premier League Division One North Champions
- North West Counties League Champions
The club have enjoyed success at virtually every level of the non-league pyramid during their rise through English football.
Club Records
| Record | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Record Attendance (Mill Farm) | 3,858 vs Chorley |
| Stadium Capacity | 6,000 |
| Biggest Achievement | FA Trophy Winners |
| Wembley Appearances | FA Vase & FA Trophy Finals |
| Stadium Opened | 2016 |
Famous Players
- Danny Rowe
- Nick Haughton
- Tom Walker
- Danny Philliskirk
- James Hardy
Danny Rowe remains one of the most iconic figures in AFC Fylde history, scoring goals at an extraordinary rate during the club’s rise through the divisions.
Rivalries
Main Rivals
- Chorley
- Southport
- Marine
- Chester
Fixtures against Chorley are generally considered the club’s biggest derby matches and have produced some of Mill Farm’s largest attendances.
Matchday Guide
Getting There
By Car
- Exit M55 at Junction 3.
- Follow signs for Wesham and Mill Farm.
By Train
- Wesham Station is around 15 minutes walk from the stadium.
Food & Drink
- Bradley’s Sports Bar
- On-site restaurant
- Greggs
- Stadium kiosks
The stadium complex is one of the most comprehensive in non-league football, offering far more facilities than many clubs at this level.