Blackpool and AFC Fylde prepare for pre-season match at Mill Farm
Blackpool and AFC Fylde meet for the third consecutive pre-season this afternoon.
Having been on a pre-season training camp in Spain, today marks the first outing for Ian Evatt’s squad ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
It also gives Seasiders fans a first opportunity to see summer signings Dion Charles and Ilmari Niskanen following their moves to Bloomfield Road.
Today’s match will be the third consecutive summer that the clubs have locked horns at Mill Farm.
Blackpool ran out 4-3 winners last year thanks to goals from Lee Evans (2), Tom Bloxham and CJ Hamilton.
Jon Ustabasi, Danny Ormerod and Faris Mo scored for the Coasters, who won 3-1 when the teams met in 2024.
Jake Daniels had given Blackpool the lead before Ustabasi, Adam Long and Nick Haughton netted for Fylde.
While the Seasiders are looking for a less stressful League One season after battling with relegation in 2025/26, their hosts are preparing for life back in non-league’s top flight.
Head coach Craig Mahon marked his first season in charge by steering the Coasters to the National League North title.
He is excited at the prospect of facing the Seasiders, telling Fylde’s website: “It’s fantastic, especially for myself, to come up against a club like Blackpool with the management staff they have.
“I’m always going to be a sponge in football, I always want to learn.
“After the game, if I get a chance to talk to the manager and ask him ideas, questions and see how I can better myself and see what I can be better at, that’s what I’m going to try to do.
“It’s the perfect opportunity for the lads, not just to see what level Blackpool are at, but we’ve got some fantastic players who I feel can kick on and can make a dent in the next couple of leagues.
“I’m really looking forward (to it) and I’m hoping the lads just go out and enjoy it. It’s the first game of pre-season, there’s no pressure and hopefully we get a good crowd on.”