David Perkins: Older players can help AFC Fylde's young guns when times get tough

The Coasters began pre-season training this week, when the 38-year-old midfielder met his new team-mates alongside Nathan Pond and goalkeeper Chris Neal – two other seasoned professionals who have joined the Fylde ranks this summer.

All three were playing in the EFL last season and Perkins, who turned out 27 times for Tranmere Rovers in League One in 2019/20, believes they can help their younger colleagues to close out difficult games in the months ahead.

Perkins, who counts Blackpool among nine former clubs, told the club website: “Hopefully I can help the young lads. We can take from my experiences.

“People such as Chris Neal and Nathan Pond can be a massive help as well, and we will have to call upon that.

“There will be tough times as in football there always are. I am yet to see a team that doesn’t go through the odd 10-minute spell, or even a full game, and have it tough at some point.

“I hope the lads will be able to trust me out there when I say, ‘Come on boys, we’ve got this’ and step it up a bit. I know how to see games out.

“Whether that’s by trying to get a goal or shutting up shop, I hope I can read how it will play out and be a part of helping out there.”

‘Perks’ is boosted by the knowledge everyone at the club shares a common goal to climb out of National League North at the first attempt.

He added: “There is nothing worse than signing for a new club who tell you their aim is just to stay in the league. That’s kind of a downer straight away as they believe they will be down the bottom.

“For Jim (Bentley, manager), Jonty (Castle, CEO) and the chairman (David Haythornthwaite) to come out and say they want back-to-back promotions, and be open about it, it’s brilliant. It makes you want to come and be part of it from minute one.

“We all know it won’t be easy to do that and there are plenty of other clubs that want the same, but at least we know that in our walls everyone is together looking to achieve that.”

Perkins hails from Heysham and started his professional life at nearby Morecambe in a 20-year career which has taken his further afield to clubs like Chesterfield and Colchester United.

A player with more than 700 senior games to his name, he added: “I’ve travelled around playing football over the place.

“I have often put myself first in a selfish way as I was willing to travel anywhere to play. I have had interest as far away as India.

“I am a football person but Fylde was a perfect fit and I am happy it is local for me.

“Moving around brings its own experiences but now I can live at home. I am only 20 minutes away, which is brilliant. I’ve got my kids there and I can have a home life as well as a football one now.

“I am as honest as the day is long and I will make sure I always give my all.

“Some fans see the term ‘experienced’ as overrated, so I will let my football and effort on the pitch do the talking for me.”