£18m stadium dominating Fylde skyline

Along with a 6,000-capacity new home for the Conference North club, the Sports Village, due for completion next summer, will include a 290-capacity sports bar, an 80-seat restaurant with roof terrace, a 40-seat café; and conference and event facilities across nine rooms.

Heading up the leisure facility will be renowned hospitality expert David Chell, who has joined as CEO from Manchester City, where he was instrumental in the historic move of the club from Maine Road to the Etihad Stadium.

David brings with him a wealth of experience in sporting venue hospitality, working at many of the UK’s premier sporting venues including Wembley Stadium, Lords, Royal Ascot and Twickenham to name a few.

David said: “The Mill Farm Sports Village is a hugely exciting development which I’m relishing being a part of.

“It’s an ambitious project, the likes of which has not been seen locally.

“There’s a lot to do and every day the pace picks up. We’re still finalising plans and specifics, but we’re really excited by what we’re going to be launching next year.

“This complex will be for the community and we’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone; from brides and grooms, to sports fans, community groups and businesspeople.

“We have something on offer for everyone and want the place to be buzzing day in, day out.”

Joining David as food and beverage manager is Bevan Middleton, who joins from Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green. Bevan has spent three decades in the hospitality and catering industry working at all levels at leading hotels, cruise liners and Michelin star restaurants.

Also on-site will be five- and seven-a-side pitches for community use.