Arnold sign up trio for Fylde

New Fylde RFC head coach in waiting Paul Arnold has raided neighbours Preston Grasshoppers to make his first three signings - forwards Dominic Moon and Pete Altham together with utility back Lewis Allen are leaving Lightfoot Green to throw in their lot at the Woodlands.
By Steve Simpson
Published 12th Mar 2015, 11:13 BST

The trio will be available for the 2015-16 campaign

For prop forward Altham it will be a return to the club he joined in 2009 and where he made 115 first team appearances after moving from his home club Wharfedale.

The 25-year-old England Deaf international was also employed by the club as a community coach and spent a lot of time helping the development of youngsters within Fylde and outside it in local schools.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Powerful number eight or flanker Dominic Moon, 29, is also a very experienced campaigner.

He had spells at Waterloo and Halifax before moving to Preston in the 2009-10 season,

He has passed the century mark of appearances for Grasshoppers and is a former first XV skipper.

Moon has missed most of this season through injury but is now back in action.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Allen, 22, is a local Lancashire player who has risen through the ranks at ‘Hoppers as well as gaining representative honours with England Colleges and Lancashire under-20s.

He has made 64 first team appearances for Preston to date since his debut as an 18-year-old in 2012.

A versatile player, he can operate at fly-half, fullback or wing.

He is a prolific goal kicker, with 231 points to his name this season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Arnold said: “I’m really excited by the thought of these three excellent players joining us next season. We know all about Pete Altham, a hard working, powerful prop and a good scrummager, who now has lots of experience in National One and Two. He lives around the corner from the Woodlands so moving back will be very convenient for him and his family.

“I’ve known Dominic Moon for a number of seasons and have always admired him. At 29 he wants to step back up to National One level. He’s an abrasive, aggressive ball-carrier who wants a new challenge. I sensed the hunger in his voice when I talked to him.

“In some ways, Lewis Allen joining us is the most exciting prospect of all.

“I coached him at Lancashire under-20 level and saw huge development potential.

“At 21 he’s not the finished article, but he already is a very talented attacking player who is also an accomplished goal kicker - he also wants to try his luck at National One level.”

Related topics:WoodlandsLancashire