The Spireites will look to start the 2023/24 season with back-to-back victories when they take on AFC Fylde.
Paul Cook’s side will be the first side to visit Mill Farm since Fylde’s promotion back to the National League.
Here’s everything you need to know…
Match Details
Date: Saturday, August 12, 2023
Opponents: AFC Fylde
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Vanarama National League
Location: Mill Farm
Tickets
Away tickets have gone off sale for this fixture – please do not travel to the game if you haven’t already purchased a ticket.
If you haven’t collected your ticket for the fixture, they will be available to collect at AFC Fylde’s ticket office.
Live Radio Commentary
Our in-house radio station, 1866 Sport, will provide exclusive full match commentary on the game, as well as pre and post-match analysis.
Don’t forget that 1866 Sport is on air 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week!
You can download the app from the Apple Store here: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/1866-sport/id1580041321
If you’re an Android user, you can download the app here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.radio.ma57501030
Alternatively, you can listen online here: https://streaming.radio.co/s47db4a4f3/listen
It is also available via Alexa.
Our dedicated matchday show is sponsored by National Windscreens and will see commentator Phil Tooley joined by a special co-commentator.
Social Media
You can follow the action on our Twitter page (https://twitter.com/ChesterfieldFC), where we will provide regular updates as well as our exclusive goal graphics, which are used when a player scores.
Key news and moments will also be posted onto our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Pre/post-match interviews and highlights will be posted to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6hnRkCdElagLJlOqlgukPA) throughout the weekend.
The Opposition
Name: AFC Fylde
Nickname: The Coasters
Founded: 1988
Stadium: Mill Farm
Capacity: 6,000
Manager: Adam Murray
Honours: National League North Champions | 2022-23
FA Trophy Winners | 2018/19
FA Vase Winners | 2007/2008
Northern Premier League Division One North Champions | 2011/12
Northern Premier League Challenge Cup Winners | 2013/14
Northern Premier League President’s Cup Winners | 2013/14
North West Counties League Premier Division Champions | 2008/09
West Lancashire League Premier Division Champions | 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2003/04
Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy | 2010/11, 2012/13, 2013/14
On Adam Murray
Adam Murray joined the club in November 2022 with AFC Fylde off the pace with the league leaders, King’s Lynn Town. However, an astonishing turnaround saw the former Mansfield Town player win the National League North Manager of the Month for January 2023. Four consecutive wins at the end of the campaign secured Fylde’s passage back to the fifth tier as National League North champions.
Ahead of the game against the Spireites, Murray said: “They most definitely don’t come any harder than Chesterfield in this league.
“They had a really successful season last season, just missing out on promotion, and they have added to their squad with real quality and experience.”
One to watch
Nick Haughton has proven to be one of the best players in non-league during his five years with AFC Fylde. The midfielder has goals and assists in abundance, and will play a massive part in the Coasters’ first campaign back in the fifth tier since 2019/20.
Last season in numbers:
Appearances – 49
Goals – 34
Assist – 16
Yellow Cards – 6
Red Cards – 1
Minutes Played – 4,2t3
Played for both
AFC Fylde and Chesterfield have seen a fair few players play for both clubs in recent years. One of the Fylde’s current players that played over 100 games in north Derbyshire is Joe Rowley. The midfielder made his debut in March 2017 and scored his first goal against Port Vale a month later. His five years at the club was marred by injury and Rowley departed the SMH Group Stadium at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
The 24-year-old joined fellow departing Spireite Curtis Weston at AFC Fylde. His first half of the season saw sporadic appearances before a change in management allowed him to flourish. A brilliant end to the campaign with five goals and two assists since February, helped the Coasters to the National League North title.
View from the dugout
Danny Webb said: “Fylde are similar to Dorking in the way they’re going to play without fear and will feel like underdogs.
“The way the play is slightly different to Dorking though, but they will still come at us. It’s a tough game that’s for sure and we won’t be taking them lightly.”
