First new arrival at Fylde RFC and crowd favourite Connor Wilkinson signs new deal

Half-back Matt Sturgess has joined for 2020/21 from Sale Sharks, while Fylde have retained the services of prolific back Connor Wilkinson, for next season.

Sturgess was a Preston Grasshoppers and Lancashire junior, who joined the Sharks Academy and has been a full-time professional at the Premiership club since 2017.

A regular in the Sale Jets line-up, Sturgess made senior appearances off the bench in the European Challenge Cup, LV Cup and Premiership Rugby Cup.

However, injury has frustrated his progress and his 2019-20 campaign was marred by a knee ligament tear.

Over the previous two seasons he gained National League experience on dual-registration with Sale FC in both National One and Two North, making 26 appearances.

Fylde head coach Warren Spragg said: “We’re really excited to be able to bring Matt in. He’s a great lad who had a difficult year with injury but has been really professional with his recovery and is desperate to get back on track.

“I am sure he will make a positive impact on and off the pitch and help us move forward as a squad.”

Sturgess said: “It’s not been the three years I hoped for, so I think joining Fylde will be a good, fresh start for me. “I met Spraggy at Myerscough College, and after speaking with him recently about the aspirations of the club it was a no-brainer for me to sign up. We share the same ambition, which is promotion to National One.”

Following hot on the heels of top try-scorer Tom Carleton, Fylde have secured another freescoring back in Wilkinson.

Like Carleton, he has been a virtual ever-present in recent years, showing versatility as well as an eye for a try. They shared full-back duties last season, though Wilkinson has featured mostly at centre.

The 23-year-old played in all but one of Fylde’s 85 National League games over the past three seasons and has scored 47 tries in 108 appearances in all since his debut in 2016. As with Sturgess, Wilkinson’s development included spells with Hoppers and Sale. The former Kirkham Grammar School captain has represented England Students, England Counties U20s and Lancashire.

Spragg added: “Connor is a class act and a pleasure to coach. He’s a rare breed who would play every day of the week and I love it when players have that amount of enthusiasm. He is always one of our top performers and I am excited that he wants to continue his time at Fylde.”

Wilkinson said: “It’s excellent to see most of the squad staying on, which shows we are all on the same page and want the club to progress. We can take a lot of positives from last season and hope to go one better in 2020-21.”