New AFC Fylde boss Nick Chadwick aims to keep up good work while Jim Bentley is away

Former Wigan Academy coach Chadwick has taken over on a temporary basis as manager Bentley prepares for a long-planned heart bypass operation next week.

The Coasters won their first five games of the season under Bentley and carried on where they left off with his assistant at the helm – Nick Haughton’s late strike sealed a 3-2 home win over Kettering Town on Wednesday which left Fylde second in National League North with a 100 per cent record.

Chadwick is delighted to be inheriting a side in good shape and he looks forward to continuing the good work in his boss’ absence.

He told The Gazette: “We’ve started really well and it’s good to take over a side in such a good position.

“It’s good that Jim was able to lead the side into the start of the season.

“ The players and myself have been able to work closely with him every day and we’re all grateful for that.

“In the terms of the day to day, it will be a case of carrying on as normal.

“I’ve been able to develop a good working relationship with the players in training while Jim has been here and that will stand us in good stead for this period to come.

“Jim and I will keep in touch but it isn’t really about either of us – it’s about the players and we have a good squad here.

“The performances have been go and so has the consistency of the performances, so the main objective is to keep that going and keep improving.”

Chadwick’s arrival this summer followed the departure of Kenny McKenna, who had been Bentley’s number two throughout his nine-year managerial career, but the new number two says he was able to strike up a rapport with the Coasters boss immediately.

He added: “I have total respect for Kenny McKenna, who of course is a huge friend of Jim’s, so it is something we talked about when I arrived.

“But Jim and I have known each other for a long time too and his football knowledge is second to none.

“We are so aligned in our thinking on the game, and I knew that would help us to work well together and to handle this period of Jim being away.”

Though Fylde find themselves in a regional league this season, a trek to south Devon beckons a week tomorrow after Fylde drew League Two Exeter in the first round of the FA Cup.

It’s a part of the world Chadwick knows well, having made over 120 league appearances for Plymouth Argyle over two stints playing as a forward.

He said of the cup draw: “We wouldn’t have minded being closer to home but it is what it is. The players have worked hard for this opportunity for us all to pit our wits against a Football League club.

“We’re excited about being in the first round but we have two league games before then.”

The first of those is tomorrow at home to Farsley Celtic, a side Fylde have already beaten this month in West Yorkshire during the FA Cup qualifying rounds.

Chadwick added: “They are a team we know all about. They offer a good challenge and we know the threat they will pose.

“But there are areas where we can improve and we will concentrate on those. The focus in training is on our own performance and on what we want to do.”

And Chadwick will continue to concentrate on his players and his new Fylde role, however long it lasts.

“The last thing we want to do is put pressure on anybody by talking in terms of a timeframe for how long Jim may be away.

“Knowing Jim he will be wanting to come back just as soon as he is well enough but his health is the most important thing for himself and his family.

“What matters most is that his operation is successful and he has all the time he needs to recover.”

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