The Rebels and Craig Mahon’s side have shared a similar path to the National League, with both teams earning elevation into the top level of Non-League by winning their respective league titles last season.
Craig Mahon’s team managed to edge out fellow title contenders South Shields by an eventual five-point margin, finishing the campaign on exactly 100 points.
Only York City netted more than 112 goals in the National League’s three divisions, a key indicator of their aggressive style of play.
Like Worthing, the Lancashire-based side will be trying to avoid an immediate return to regionalised football.
History
AFC Fylde was initially formed in 1988 as Kirkham & Wesham, formed by the merger of two local clubs, Kirkham Town and Wesham FC.
The Coasters spent several years in local football before rising rapidly through the Non-League pyramid. They enjoyed the most successful spell in their history between 2007 and 2017, winning the FA Vase in 2008 and achieving four promotions – rising into the National League. They narrowly missed a place in the Football League after losing the 2019 National League play-off final at Wembley losing 3-0 to Salford City, but quickly put that heartbreaking defeat behind them by lifting different silverware under the infamous arch a week later. A solitary goal from Danny Rowe against Leyton Orient was enough to win the FA Trophy, becoming the first club to win both the FA Vase and Trophy in the process.
Recently, they sealed an immediate return to the top level of Non-League football as Champions of the National League North.
Manager: Craig Mahon
In his first season in charge, former Irish winger Craig Mahon led AFC Fylde to promotion in style.
Under his stewardship, the Coasters accrued a century of points, with their attack-minded style of play yielding a return of 112 goals in 46 games.
His managerial career commenced at Curzon Ashton, as he was placed in charge on an interim basis briefly in 2021, before being handed the hotseat in the dugout permanently in 2023. While at the Nash, Mahon was instrumental to the continued development of the club and guided Curzon to their highest ever finish in 2024, before helping them achieve their highest points tally in the National League North in 2025.
Notably, he made over 200 appearances for Chester FC as a player, while also representing the likes of Salford City, Burscough and Vauxhall Motors.
At just 37-years-old, Mahon is regarded as one of Non-League’s most promising tacticians.
Captain: Corey Whelan
The Irish influence is coursing through the heart of the leadership structure at Mill Farm, with Club captain Corey Whelan also hailing from The Emerald Isle. His football education commenced at Liverpool’s academy, leading to the defender captaining the Under-23s side.
Whelan then spent loan spells with Yeovil Town and Crewe Alexandra before departing Anfield in 2019. A spell in the United States followed with Phoenix Rising FC, where he became a regular starter and enjoyed success in the form of lifting the USL Championship.
In 2021, he returned to England, playing for Wigan Athletic and Carlisle United, earning promotion to League One with the latter.
Whelan joined AFC Fylde in 2024, was appointed club captain shortly afterwards, and led the Coasters to the National League North title and promotion back to the National League a few months ago.
Previous Meetings
Worthing FC & AFC Fylde have never encountered each other in a competitive meeting.
Stadium: Mill Farm
Located in Wesham, Lancashire, Mill Farm is home to AFC Fylde’s. The stadium opened in 2016 as part of the wider Mill Farm Sports Village development, and has a capacity of around 6,000 spectators, including approximately 2,000 seats.
Its distinctive design includes a curved-roof main stand and covered terraces, with the ground being built with future expansion in mind.
Mill Farm forms the centrepiece of the wider Mill Farm Sports Village, which also includes training pitches and other sporting facilities.
Distance from the Sussex Transport Community Stadium: 288 Miles
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗