AFC Fylde hope their long wait to play will be over tomorrow

Nick Chadwick hopes it will be third time lucky and AFC Fylde finally return to action tomorrow.
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The Coasters are due to welcome Gateshead to Mill Farm for their first match since beating AFC Telford United on January 9.

Since then, the Fylde players have had time in isolation as a result of positive Covid-19 tests, followed by the National League North and South divisions going on a two-week break.

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Last Saturday’s scheduled home match with Guiseley was called off after they announced they wouldn’t be taking part in the fixture.

AFC Fylde last played at AFC Telford United on January 9 Picture: Steve McLellanAFC Fylde last played at AFC Telford United on January 9 Picture: Steve McLellan
AFC Fylde last played at AFC Telford United on January 9 Picture: Steve McLellan

Fylde were then due to visit Chester on Tuesday night, only for that game to be postponed as the result of a frozen pitch.

Though the spirit among players and staff at Mill Farm has been good, Chadwick acknowledged there has been a degree of irritation as well.

“It’s disappointing and very frustrating,” Chadwick told The Gazette of the two recent call-offs.

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“We had prepared as normal to face Guiseley on the Saturday so there was a lot of disappointment we didn’t play that game.

“Then we shifted our attention to Tuesday but it’s the same again, though that was down to the weather which nobody can help.

“However, while it’s a trying time for the boys, it’s just as bad for the public as well.”

The National League clubs are currently voting on whether to scrap their season and declare it null and void.

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If the clubs vote not to continue, it will be the second successive season the competitions have been halted.

It would also be a second consecutive campaign where the Coasters were adversely affected by an early finish.

Last season saw them relegated from the National League top flight via the points-per-game method used to determine the final table.

This time around, they sit third in National League North, seven points behind leaders Gloucester City but with three games in hand.

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Chadwick has previously said that, given the competition’s ‘elite sport’ status, there was a responsibility to play on if at all possible: a view he reiterated while criticising those in charge.

He said: “I think it’s time for the people at the top end of the game to get a grip of this now and decide.

“You’re looking towards the governing body but I don’t think the situation would have been dragged out if it had been the Premier League or the EFL.

“There’s a timing issue as well because there’s a hell of a lot of games to be played yet this season.

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“With the situation we’re now in with the pandemic, clubs have got the chance to apply to Sport England for a grant so I don’t see any excuse for not playing.

“The rules state we should be playing until we know the result of the vote. It needs to be resolved and we need to get back playing football.”

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