Fylde are guests of honour at Hilton awards

Besides picking their champions trophy as winners of Evo-Stik First Division North, Fylde boss Dave Challinor was named Manager of the Year.

The Coasters won two other honours: the league’s ‘Technical Award’ and the National Respect Award for furthering the FA’s Respect Campaign.

Having beaten Neil Young, of premier division champions Chester, to the manager’s prize, a delighted Challinor said: “This rounds off a really great eight months for us at the club.

“My assistant Colin Woodthorpe had a massive part to play as did the board, the staff and the players.”

It was a third successive promotion in the Evo-Stik competition for Challinor, who left Colwyn Bay to replace Kelham O’Hanlon at the Fylde helm last November.

He added: “It’s been a great league to be involved in for me personally as a player and manager, and to win this award over Neil Young, who I know well, was a nice surprise.

“It was a fantastic night for the club to celebrate in style and everyone really enjoyed it.”

There will be no resting on laurels at Fylde, who begin pre-season training this Saturday and have signed striker James Dean and goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe for next season.

Challinor added: “There may be two or three more to come in and I’m working on these.”

Fylde have confirmed their latest friendly at home to Blue Square North play-off finalists Guiseley on August 4.