AFC Fylde call for clarity on National League starting date

Fylde’s relegation to National League North will be confirmed on Saturday, when the play-off finals in the North and South divisions are set to take place.

On Monday night several National League clubs released statements concerning an October 3 start for non-league's top tier, subject to FA approval, and added that spectators would be allowed into grounds - albeit at a significantly reduced stadium capacity.

However, the North West Counties League had previously published FA guidance anticipating a possible September start at all levels of non-league

The Government has cited October as a target for supporters to return to stadiums, and Coasters chairman Haythornthwaite has written to National League chief executive Michael Tattersall to express his concern over “mixed messages".

Haythornthwaite, who is strongly opposed to starting the season behind closed doors, addressed the issue as he resumed his video updates for the Fylde website.

He said: “We still don’t know really when the start of the season is going to be and the problem with that is that none of us want to put players on contract if at all possible until the last minute.

“We got a statement that you can start training again and can arrange friendlies, and we may be able to start football soon. But there was a lot in the small print that was very, very vague.

“That’s why I’ve asked for clarification because on the one hand you’ve got the PM saying probably October with crowds, and then there’s been a suggestion which has probably given supporters hope that we’ll be starting before then. We all need to know because we’ve got to put our squads together.”

Fylde are already set to miss out on income by staging warm-up games behind closed doors.

Haythornthwaite added: “For a lot of clubs, those pre-season friendlies were really important for bringing income into the club.

“We played Blackpool, Preston and Wigan and that brought a lot of income into our club at the beginning of the season. That helped us but you won’t be able to do that.

“Friendlies behind closed doors are OK for fitness but income, which was important to clubs like us, is going to be non-existent.

“So there are a lot of things that need sorting out and clarifying. That’s why I wrote to Michael Tattersall.

“The Governmentt want to be optimistic but at the same time have to be really cautious. Just down the road in Blackburn we have a situation which could lead to a lockdown.”

Fylde may be unable to play pre-season games at Mill Farm anyway, with Haythornthwaite estimating the playing surface will be ready by “mid-September” after renovation work.

It means any friendlies before then would have to be played at the club’s former home of Kellamergh Park.

Haythornthwaite added: “There’s absolutely no point playing a friendly on that (Mill Farm) pitch.

“The integrity of the pitch is the most important because you want to have a great playing surface, so if we were to play a friendly we’d play at Kellamergh Park.

“It’s only critically to get match fitness for the players. If there are no spectators why play on the Mill Farm pitch at all? Kellamergh Park is a great pitch and is perfect for friendlies.”

Haythornthwaite also gave an update on manager Jim Bentley, who is awaiting heart bypass surgery.

“Jim has to go in for another scan just to check a few things before they actually operate. They are going to give him a date for his operation.

“Mind and spirit-wise I think he’s in good nick. He’s been out for his six-mile walk and spent a few days with his kids in Wales.”