AFC Fylde travel to National League North side Radcliffe on Saturday in their final friendly of the 2024-25 pre-season schedule at the Neuven Stadium.
Chris Beech’s side have had a very positive pre-season and will look to add to their impressive run against Radcliffe this weekend, in preparation for the Vanarama National League opener against Solihull Moors on August 10.
It’s another quick turnaround for the Coasters who secured their fifth win in seven pre-season games on Tuesday night against Barrow as a slotted finish from Owen Evans late on meant Beech’s side won their second game of pre-season against EFL opposition.
But this weekend, Fylde face an in-form Radcliffe side who, after being rejuvenated by the appointment of Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley, stormed to promotion last campaign as they won the Northern Premier League and moved into the National League North for the forthcoming campaign.
The Manager: Anthony Johnson
A very well-known figure amongst non-league, Anthony Johnson has had a very successful record when it comes to this level.
Starting out at Ramsbottom United with assistant Bernard Morley, the managerial pair achieved back-to-back promotions, before they joined Salford City in 2015 and was a part of their ‘ Class of 92’ documentary.
More success followed with Salford, earning a trio of promotions in a three-year stint with the Ammies before also taking charge at the likes of Chester and Spennymoor Town.
With both Johnson and Morley local to the area of Radcliffe, both saw it as an opportunity to do something positive with their local side, and that they did after earning a very respectable promotion within their first season in charge.
Boro won 28 of their 40 games, scoring over 100 goals and finishing on 87 points, ten clear of second-placed Macclesfield.
One to watch: Jordan Hulme
A name which will be known to many Coasters fans, Jordan Hulme has had a very prolific few years at non-league, scoring 25 goals in all competitions last season in what proved to be a great year for the club.
Having dropped down two divisions after moving from Altrincham, Hulme proved to be the clinical striker that he has been over a number of years at non-league level as he boosted the Boro to the league title.
His tally for the season included a hugely important hat-trick against title challengers Macclesfield in a 3-2 win.
Prior to his move from Altrincham, Hulme has played at the likes of Ashton United and of course Fylde, along with playing under Johnson at Ramsbottom Untied and Salford City.
Tickets:
Tickets are available to purchase directly from Radcliffe via the link here: https://radcliffefc.ticketco.events/uk/en/m/e/fylde
Colours:
We will once again be wearing our new yellow and black away strip for the trip to the Neuven Stadium.
Match Coverage:
If you are not able to back the Coasters in person on Saturday, then we have you covered.
We will be providing full match commentary over on Coasters Live with coverage starting from 2:45pm for the 3pm kick off.
To listen to Coasters Live commentaries on Mixlr, please CLICK HERE
You can also follow the action across our social media accounts with full-text coverage followed by a match report straight after the final whistle.
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