AFC Fylde supporters will be taking a walk down memory lane next season after the club finally got the blessing for a new name on the road leading to the stadium at Mill Farm.

Despite unexpected opposition from Wesham Parish Council, the club this week received approval from the Royal Mail and are delighted to announce that the road will be named Coronation Way.

The club enjoyed almost thirty years at their old ground on Coronation Road in Kirkham between 1978-2006 and Chairman David Haythornthwaite was anxious to recognise their former ground in some way at their new home.

David, who became involved with the club 10 years ago, said: “The name was chosen for significant and historic reasons and we are very happy to get it over the line at last. Coronation Road was the original home of Kirkham Town Football Club before they merged with Wesham in 1988 and we were keen, as were the supporters, to maintain links with our past.

“Coronation Road was a hugely successful home for the club during the 30 years we spent there and we enjoyed many title triumphs and cup victories.”

President Dai Davis, who was pivotal in laying the foundations ahead of the club’s rise to its current success, said: “We were relegated in my first season with the club in 1993 and in those early days at Coronation Road we were mainly playing in front of one man and his dog.

“The board and I had a meeting that summer and we decided we could go one of two ways. Did we want to settle for being a Sunday League pub team or did we want to push for success.

“We all decided on the latter and we continued to improve from that day forward.

“Unfortunately, despite numerous meetings with the town council at the time, we were forced to move out of Kirkham in 2006. They were either unable or unwilling to help us find a new ground which when you look back is really sad.

“Therefore, to progress up the football pyramid, we were forced to move to Kellamergh Park in Warton, and although we have enjoyed some wonderful times there, it feels like we are finally coming home.”

Another man who is thrilled with the new name is club stalwart Mick Woods. Mick’s association began in 1959 when he founded the club as Kirkham Town and he has since gone on to be a player, manager and chairman of the team.

Almost 60 years on and Mick is still a big part of the matchday set up at AFC Fylde.

“I never imagined when we were playing on the pitch at Coronation Road that we would be moving to a stadium like Mill Farm,” said Mick. “It’s fantastic. We have had some great players down the years and it’s fitting that we are honouring our past with the new road name.”

The Coasters will move into Mill Farm in the summer for the scheduled opening of the stadium ahead of next season.