Chris Neal appointed as first-team goalkeeper coach!

AFC Fylde are delighted to announce the return of Chris Neal, who has been appointed as our first-team goalkeeper coach!

A popular figure amongst management staff, players and supporters alike, Chris, 38, re-joins the Club in a non-playing capacity.

Having represented AFC Fylde over a four-year spell starting in August 2020, where he made over 100 appearances for the Club in all competitions, Chris will now become part of Chris Beech’s backroom staff.

A shot-stopper with a wealth of experience over a 20-year career spanning 441 games, Neal won five promotions including playing in all 46 games of the Coasters’ 2022/23 Vanarama National League North title triumph.

Last season, Neal took on goalkeeping coach responsibilities on an interim basis whilst still a player, mentoring Theo Richardson, and makes the move into the role full-time with immediate effect.

On becoming first-team goalkeeper coach, Neal said: “I’ve been in dialogue with Beechy to try and get this sorted, so it’s a fantastic opportunity to move onto the next chapter of my career.

“It’s been brilliant so far, you see a different side of it now, but it’s something I’m relishing and looking forward to the future.

Head Coach Beech added: “I’m really pleased because Chris is a great guy. He’s been fantastic on the pitch for Fylde, and he’s done brilliantly for the Football Club.

“As we progress in the National League, Chris is getting a bit older and he had offers in the summer to play, but in conversations at the end of April when we discussed the retained and released list, I shared a possible plan for this to happen, and David supported me in terms of my contract, and that support was to try and upskill provision for supportive roles.

“He’ll do great as a goalkeeping coach, he’s a fantastic person, he’ll also add to the outfield and defensive capabilities from set-plays and the way he goes about what he does.

“He’s got a lot to learn but also a lot to share, and that growth is something that will happen. Theo, Ewan and the younger academy goalkeepers have someone to buy into and get a lot of information out of, and I think he’ll be brilliant.”

Everyone at AFC Fylde would like to welcome Chris back to the Club!

Chris is signed-up for the 2024/25 season, and now you can by purchasing an AFC Fylde season ticket by CLICKING HERE

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