AFC Fylde Women is an English women's football club affiliated with AFC Fylde and currently playing in the FA Women's National League Division One North.

AFC Fylde Women
Full nameAFC Fylde Women
Nickname(s)"The Coasters"
Founded1971 (as Duke of York)
GroundKellamergh Park, Warton
ManagerKim Turner & Danielle Young
LeagueFA Women's National League Division One North
2023–24FA Women's National League North, 12th of 12 (relegated)
Websitehttps://www.afcfyldewomen.co.uk/

History

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The club was formed under the name Duke of York in 1971, as founder members of the North West Women's League. They were renamed Preston Rangers W.F.C. in 1977 and reached the semi-finals of the FA Women's Cup in 1982–83 and 1989–90.

In 1997, they became Preston North End W.F.C. and finished 1997–98 as champions, winning promotion to the Northern Combination Women's Football League. In 1999, the club was officially affiliated with Preston North End F.C. The club won the Northern Combination Women's Football League in 2005–06 and were promoted into the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division for the first time. In June 2011, Luke Swindlehurst was appointed first team manager, following his previous role as assistant manager in the 2010–11 season.

The club was rebranded Fylde Ladies F.C. in May 2016 after switching its affiliation from Preston North End to AFC Fylde.[1] The name was changed to AFC Fylde Women from the start of the 2019–20 season.

On 28 April 2020, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the team was disbanded due to growing uncertainties within women's football, and the financial implications of the pandemic. One month later, on 26 May 2020, AFC Fylde reversed its decision, thus saving the club.[2][3]

Grounds

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The team played in Preston when the club was affiliated with Preston North End. In 2016, they moved to Kellamergh Park in the village of Warton, Borough of Fylde. In August 2018, they briefly moved in with their male counterpart team at Mill Farm, training at The Fylde Sports and Education Centre.[4] The club returned to Kellamergh Park a few weeks later.

Players

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As of 22 August 2021[5]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   JAM Ellie Etheridge
2 DF   ENG Alex Taylor
4 MF   ENG Hannah Forster
5 DF   WAL Olivia Fuller
6 DF   ENG Jenna Carroll
7 FW   ENG Danielle Young
8 MF   ENG Jess Holbrook
10 FW   WAL Emily Hollinshead
11 DF   NZL Laura Merrin
12 MF   ENG Jodie Redgrave
14 MF   ENG Sasha Rowe
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 FW   ENG Melanie Bartley
17 DF   ENG Becky Abbott
18 DF   ENG Hannah Fryer
20 FW   ENG Amy Hughes
21 FW   ENG Jodie Mortimer
22 GK   ENG Khiara Keating
23 FW   ENG Faye McCoy
24 MF   ENG Kaya Pottinger
28 MF   ENG Eve Whitaker
GK   ENG Megan Hunter

Former players

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Retired numbers

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19   Zoe Tynan, Midfielder (2016)[6]

Coaching staff

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Name Role
  Kim Turner First Team Manager
  Danielle Young Joint First Team Manager
  Jennie Swarbrick Strength and Fitness Coach
  Alex Hilton-Slee Goalkeeping Coach
  George Barnes Sports Therapist
  Alisa Cowen Media Officer
  Josh Brown and   Ross Conway Analysts
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References

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  1. ^ Agnew, Daniel (25 May 2016). "PNE women's team have fresh start as Fylde Ladies". Blackpool Gazette. Archived from the original on 1 July 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  2. ^ Wrack, Suzy (28 April 2020). "AFC Fylde women's team disbanded after club takes 'tough decision'". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  3. ^ "AFC Fylde reverse decision to disband women's team". BBC Sport. 26 May 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Fylde Ladies". AFC Fylde. 29 August 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Fylde Ladies 2021-22 squad". AFC Fylde. 22 August 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  6. ^ "Zoe Tynan: Fylde Ladies FC retire midfielder's number 19 shirt". BBC Sport. 2 September 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.


53°45′29″N 2°54′06″W / 53.758156°N 2.901770°W / 53.758156; -2.901770