AFC Fylde star Jonny Smith admits his spell with the Coasters has been the ‘best season of his career’.

Smith has impressed since joining Fylde on loan from Bristol City in the summer, scoring nine National League goals in 43 appearances from out wide.

The 20-year-old admitted he would love to be back at Mill Farm next season but is first keen to finish this campaign on a high.

The Coasters travel to Wrexham tomorrow with a play-off place up for grabs and Smith hopes to extend the season beyond Saturday’s clash at the Racecourse Ground.

Smith started his career with the Welsh side, progressing through the academy ranks before being spotted by Championship outfit Bristol.

How keen are you to extend the season beyond this weekend?

It has been a great season and hopefully it doesn’t end tomorrow. 

We have to give one more big push now to secure our place in the play-offs and everyone inside our dressing room believes we can do it. 

Did you ever expect to be in this position with one game to go?

When I first arrived, even though the club was new to this level, I could tell that the squad was more than good enough to hold their own in this league.

We started the season a little slowly, dropping points late on in games, but we started winning games which boosted confidence and gained momentum and we have been flying since.

We would have definitely taken a one-off game to get in the play-offs. At the end of the day we just want to go up and this gives us a chance to do that.

After a tremendous run of form, we have been disappointing in the last two outings. Are nerves kicking in? 

I wouldn’t say it was nerves, we just haven’t been reaching the levels that we know we are capable of. It’s down to us now to go to Wrexham and get back to those levels. When we are at our best we can beat anyone in this league.

Wrexham are a club you know well, how much are you relishing the game? 

I haven’t seen much of them this season, aside from our games against them, but they are a huge club with a massive fanbase and it will be a great atmosphere on the day.

I came up through the academy there and the club are still important to me.

It’s a game that every single one of us wants to play in and we are very much looking forward to it.

We have come out on top against Wrexham twice already this season, do that give us an edge?

Yes definitely, having beaten them twice already means we have a better idea of their strengths and weaknesses and hopefully we can exploit them again. I scored in the reverse game and it would be lovely to get another against my old club at their place.  

How have you found this season on a personal level?

This has been my best ever season in football for lots of reasons. To play week in, week out in men’s football in front of big crowds is fantastic. And to do all that in a squad that is aiming for promotion is even better. 

I have really enjoyed my time here. The fans have been great and so have the players. 

Do you feel as though you have improved as a player during your time here?

I think I’ve massively improved during my time here. Chally, Colin, Graham and the rest of the coaching staff here have really helped me and playing regularly has aided my development. 

What does the summer and the future hold?

I will be back at Bristol City in July so that they can have a look at me and then we will take it from there. I’d love to be back here next year. I’ve loved every minute of this season and it would be a dream to round it off with promotion.

What have been your highlights of the season?

The 6-0 win over Macclesfield was probably my favourite game of the season. The Wrexham game was a good one for me too because I had dropped out of the side but I came back in for it and got on the scoresheet. My debut against Boreham Wood too. Coming on and scoring a late equaliser made it a dream start for me.