AFC Fylde have announced that First Team Manager Dave Challinor has been handed a further one-year extension to his contract, tying the 40-year-old to the club until 2018.

Challinor has enjoyed a remarkable record since joining the club in 2011, winning 164 of his 262 games in charge, with his side scoring an incredible 554 goals along the way.

Despite suffering play-off heartbreak in the last two seasons there was never any doubt in Chairman David Haythornthwaite’s mind that Challinor was the right man to take the club forward.

Haythornthwaite said: “Chally and I have always had a great working relationship from the very first time he set foot in the football club. He is professional in everything that he does and his communication at all times is first class.

“There will always be speculation regarding a manager’s position, especially at a club like ours where the expectations are so high. We know we made mistakes last season but we are all still learning and we will come back stronger. We had more injuries and suspensions last year than ever and this all contributed to us falling at the last hurdle.

“However we had a very productive meeting on the team coach coming back from North Ferriby after the game on Saturday and we are united in our aspirations to go one better next season.

“I don’t think there is a better manager in this division, or indeed the one above, so we are delighted to announce Dave’s contract extension.”

Challinor was equally delighted to secure his future: “It has been a successful four and a half years at the club and to have the backing of David and Dai Davis (Club President) is a big plus. They believe we are the right people to move the club in the right direction and that fills us with confidence.

“We are still hurting from the disappointment of last weekend’s defeat but the hard work starts now. I have learnt an awful lot about myself over the last 12 months and I think I have improved as a manager.

“I am critical of myself because I always want to improve and I can now concentrate on doing that here at Fylde.”