On this day seven years ago, Manager Dave Challinor became the manager of AFC Fylde joining from Colwyn Bay.

Challinor has been influential in the Coasters rise through the leagues. The 43-year-old is currently 4th longest serving manager in the top five English Leagues and his record is second to none having finished in 7th place or higher in each season in charge.

It all began as he won the Championship in his first season clinching the Evo-Stik North title. In the 2012-13 season, the first year that The Coasters had played at Evo-Stik Premier level, Challinor guided Fylde to a fifth-place finish, narrowly missing out on promotion after a playoff defeat.

The following year, 2013-14, Fylde finished in third place. Challinor guided the side through the playoff system to defeat both Worksop Town and then Ashton United in the final at Kellamergh Park to achieve promotion to the Conference North for the first time in the club’s history.

In 2014/15 The Coasters had another top-five finish in the league as they finished second, but unfortunately, Fylde lost in the playoff semi-final to Guiseley. They also enjoyed an F.A. Cup run which ended with a First Round defeat to the then League Two side Plymouth Argyle.

Fylde enjoyed another successful 2015-16 campaign, once again reaching the FA Cup First Round this time they faced the then League One side Millwall losing 3-1 at The Den. Challinor reached the playoffs yet again before losing in the play-off final against North Ferriby United.

In 2016/17 Challinor managed AFC Fylde to the National League North title and promotion to the National League for the first time in the club’s history.

Another successful year followed and in 2017/18 as Challinor guided the club to the FA Cup Second Round for the first time in their history. They drew at 1-1 at Mill Farm before losing the replay 3-2. Success also followed in the National League as AFC Fylde finished the season in 7th, their highest ever league position. They qualified for the expanded playoffs. However, they were beaten 2–1 by Boreham Wood in the qualifying round.

This season Challinor has started in his normal fashion as The Coasters currently sit 5th in the National League having lost just one of their opening 18 league games.