AFC FYLDE MAKE THEIR PITCH
A name change to AFC Fylde took place in 2008, the intention being to widen the club ' s appeal to the whole Fylde area. Notice was given of AFC Fylde ' s ambition of achieving Football League status by 2022. So long as AFC Fylde remained at Kellamergh Park, this seemed unlikely however, for its reliance on low prefabricated stands did not suggest a Football League ground in the making. Mindful of Kellamergh Park ' s deficiencies, in 2013 an application to build a sport village at Wrea Green incorporating a 2,500 capacity stadium was made, but when this was turned down, a more ambitious scheme for an £ 18 million development at Mill Farm in Wesham was proposed. This scheme, which included a retail park in addition to a sport village, did find favour with Fylde Borough Council, and work began in 2015.
AFC Fylde’ s former Kellamergh Park ground Photo: Vince Taylor
While the club ' s future ground plans were being plotted, AFC Fylde rose swiftly through the ranks, reaching the National League North in 2014, with the facilities at Kellamergh Park being tweaked accordingly. After finishing third in 2015 / 16, the scene was set for AFC Fylde to begin life at their new Mill Farm stadium as members of the National League. Disappointingly for their growing band of supporters, for the second season running, AFC Fylde failed to negotiate their way through the play-offs.
A dry-stone wall at the entrance to the Mill Farm complex Photos: Vince Taylor
4 Groundtastic- The Football Grounds Magazine