Fans get on the ball to see stadium take shape

Three months away from the scheduled opening of the sports bar at the Wesham site and five months ahead of the first game there to kick off the 2016-17 season, the club’s new £18m home is rapidly taking shape behind the scenes.

Places on the free VIP tours at Mill Farm Sport Village have been eagerly snapped up and all are already taken for this weekend. Next dates are March 19 and 26 and availability can be checked by calling (01772) 682593.

Among the those taking part on the opening tour was Fylde mayor Peter Hardy, a fan for 30 years who is a former chairman of the supporters’ club.

He said: “It was wonderful to see how the stadium is coming along and, with such marvellous facilities open through the weekend and all year round, it will be such an asset to the whole of Fylde.

“All credit to Mr Haythornthwaite for his vision and it will be a very proud moment when the team kicks off next season in the new stadium.”

Along with a 6,000-capacity new home for the Conference North club, currently based at Kellamergh Park, Warton, the Sports Village will include the 290-capacity Bradley’s Sports Bar - planned to be open in time for the European Championships in June – an 80-seat restaurant with roof terrace, a 40-seat café, conference and event facilities across nine rooms and five- and seven-a-side pitches for the community to use.

An Aldi supermarket will also be on the site.

Chairman David Haythornthwaite said of the tours: “It was nice to have the opportunity to show existing and potential fans. I think everyone really enjoyed themselves and were pretty amazed by what we are doing.

“We plan to bring them back in about three months’ time so they can see the finished job prior to opening.”