Neill Byrne leaves AFC Fylde amid uncertainty over National League kick-off

AFC Fylde say that Neill Byrne was "adamant" he wanted to leave the club

A club statement reads: “The defender was firmly in (manager) Jim Bentley’s plans going forward into the 2020/21 National League North campaign. However, he has been allowed to seek opportunities elsewhere due to being adamant in his desire to leave despite the best efforts of the management team to persuade him otherwise.

“Coasters CEO Jonty Castle had also offered the 27-year-old a new contract to remain with the club, which he also rejected.

“The club wants to finalise its squad for the upcoming campaign as quickly as possible and will now continue to explore other defensive options.

“We would like to wish Neill well in his future career and thank him for his efforts at Mill Farm.”

The Irishman has spent the past two seasons at Fylde and played 90 games for the club, many of them as captain.

The club announced in May that Byrne’s contract had been extended for the coming season.

Fylde’s planned friendly against a Salford City XI today was cancelled, leaving the club with one more scheduled warm-up game, at home to Altrincham on Saturday, before their competitive action is due to begin.

AFC Fylde’s National League North campaign is due to start at home to Darlington on Tuesday, October 6, with a tie in the FA Cup’s second qualifying round three days earlier.

However, it is unclear whether the National League will kick-off as intended following today’s Government block on the return of spectators to sporting venues.

It is questionable whether clubs in the National League’s three divisions will be willing to begin the season with no idea of when they will be able to bring in vital matchday revenue.