The Evo-Stik Northern Premier League’s Manager of the Year Dave Challinor says he’s building a squad with real strength in depth after completing a double swoop for Fleetwood Town’s Matty Hughes and Southport’s Adam Carden.
The versatile duo joined their new teammates for preseason training over the weekend as Challinor prepares for life in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division.
Hughes, 20, and Carden, 26, can operate in both defence and midfield. The pair bring a wealth of Football Conference experience to ambitious AFC Fylde and Hughes is already well known to Challinor having played for him at Colwyn Bay while on loan from Blue Square Premier champions Fleetwood Town.
Challinor said: “I’m delighted to welcome both Matty and Adam to the club. They are both fantastic acquisitions that strengthen us even further.”
Hughes, pictured right alongside Challinor, started at Rochdale before spending three years at Glasgow Celtic where he captained their youth and reserve team. Challinor says his aim is to help his new signing earn a chance to go back into the professional game.
Challinor explained: “He’s got a full season in the Blue Square North under his belt and comes to us from full-time football. We’re delighted he has chosen to come and work with us again as he feels we can work with him and help him get back into full-time professional football. He comes with a great footballing upbringing and recognises we are ambitious and determined to move forward and can’t wait to be a part of that.”
Challinor says signing Adam Carden, pictured left, will help fill the void left at full back following the loss of Jimmy Heywood to work commitments and also gives the Premier Division new boys more options going forward.
“Adam was a bit of a chance signing really in the sense that he spent last season at Southport in the Blue Square Premier, making 30 appearances for them,” revealed Challinor. “He was all set to stay but a change in his working situation meant he wasn’t able to commit to daytime training and he gives us more options higher up the pitch and in midfield."
The manager added: "He’s an attack minded player and fits in perfectly with how we want to play. I’m delighted he recognised what we are trying to do here and wants to be part of it.”