AFC Fylde manager Dave Challinor admits competition will be fierce for the Number One shirt next season following the arrival of Jay Lynch.

National League North Goalkeeper of the Year Lynch agreed a two-year deal with the Coasters after leaving Salford City at the end of the season in search of a new challenge.

The former Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers youngster helped the Ammies to a fourth-place finish in the league, narrowly missing out on promotion following play-off disappointment against Halifax Town.

Rhys Taylor spent the majority of the season as the Coasters’ first choice stopper, impressing as Fylde clinched the league title with a game to spare.

However, Challinor insists that every first team spot is up for grabs ahead of the new season and the battle for the goalkeeper shirt is no different.  

Challinor said: “Jay is a good one to be able to get in. It is tough sometimes with goalkeepers to decide which route to take but we felt we needed some more competition for goalkeeper jersey.

“From my point of view, we now have the two best goalkeepers from the division we were in last season, which puts us in a really strong position going forward.

“Like with everyone, a new season is a blank canvas and no one is guaranteed a starting spot. We want a squad where every position is challenged.

“We might not be able to have two equally strong players in every position because of our budget, but we want to get as close to that as possible. We have stacks of competition in midfield and forward areas and now we do with the goalkeepers too.

“We haven’t done much goalkeeping work so far but he’s already shown that he is very fit – he is right there up at the top in the squad in terms of physical fitness, which isn’t something you would always associate with a goalkeeper.

“Even though he was part-time last season at Salford, he maintained a full-time attitude and trained on the days he was off so he is in very good shape and we are very much looking forward to working with him.”