AFC Fylde | Kellamergh Park | Football Ground Guide

Last Update: September 29, 2020

Less than ten years ago Kellamergh Park was an open field at the back of a country pub. Today the ground has gradually expanded, but still has a rural feel to it being surrounded by farmland. During lulls in play you can look out at the grazing sheep on the adjacent paddocks. The land was purchased by the football club (then Kirkham & Wesham FC) in 2005 for playing in the North West Counties League and as it has progressed up the football pyramid improvements have been made in order to obtain the required grading to meet Conference North standards. However the Club have further ambitions with the commencement of the building of a new 6,000 capacity stadium, located near Junction 3 of the M55, which is scheduled to open in 2016.

The only access to the Kellamergh Park ground is by what can only be described as a dirt track located at the far end of the Birley Arms pub car park, leading to the 150 space car park, although there is also a separate tarmaced walk way for pedestrians.

Inside the ground on the left hand side as you come in is the all seater Main Stand which holds 282 spectators including press and home and away directors. This covers about half of the touchline straddling the half way line. To either side are portakabin facilities for directors at the far end and sponsors on the nearside. Behind the goal at the north is the Wrea Green End which comprises a covered terrace which houses around 800 supporters. At the other ‘Warton End’ is a small covered seated stand that was opened in 2015. This was put in place so that the Club could fulfill League membership criteria, that stipulates that a Club should have at least 500 seats. Also at this end is the clubhouse and other facilities. Down the other side is a flat uncovered footpath style standing area which has the dugouts situated in front of it. In one corner of the ground near the clubhouse is an electric scoreboard.

<p><img alt=”New AFC Fylde Stadium Being Built” src=”/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/new-afc-fylde-ground-being-built.jpg” style=”width:325px; height:165px; border-width:0px; border-style:solid; margin-left:5px; margin-right:5px; float:right” />The Club have commenced with the building of a new stadium, beside the A585 Fleetwood Road, near Wesham. The new football ground, has a planned capacity of 6,000 and is part of a larger £18m development of the area. It was also feature a 2.000 capacity all seated Main Stand. The site is just under four miles from Kellamergh Park and easily accessible from Junction 3 of the M55. The new stadium is due to open for the start of the 2016/17 season. An artists impression of how the new stadium will look can be found on the AFC Fylde website. Thanks to Peter Gillatt for providing the building update photo on the right.</p>

To date the only attempt at segregating fans was for the visit of FC United of Manchester when visiting supporters were invited to enter the ground via turnstiles at the north end of the car park. Usually all except Directors enter by turnstiles at the end of the access road. As there are no barriers within the ground visiting spectators can watch the match from pretty much anywhere they like, including the stand. The AFC Fylde fans and staff are generally a friendly bunch, so you should have a good day out there.

Catering is normally provided from a kiosk at the Warton End of the ground, which is located in-between the new seated stand and Fullers Bar. It offers the usual match day snacks such as Hot Dogs (£2), Cheeseburgers (£2.50), Burgers (£2), Chips (£1.60). Peas and gravy are also available as extras. Plus there are the award winning Gigli’s pies; Steak and Ale (£2.75), Meat and Potato (£2.50) and Cheese & Onion (£2). Visiting supporters are also welcome to book in advance for hospitality in the sponsors box.

Inside the ground is the Fullers Bar which welcomes away supporters. Named after Mick Fuller who managed the Club when they won the FA Vase in 2008, this simple but modern bar enjoys good views across the ground and has wall mounted television screens showing the latest scores from Sky Sports News. It remains open throughout the game. Right by Kellamergh Park is the Birley Arms which you have to pass by to get into the ground. This comfortable pub/restaurant offers good value lunches and has two real ales on tap including its own Birley Arms beer which is brewed by Moorhouse’s. The Birley Arms also has a small hotel attached. See the Birley Arms website for more details including lunch menus. If arriving by train (see below) you have the choice of either drinking in Kirkham or Lytham.

Kirkham: On leaving Kirkham & Wesham Station turn left and proceed along Station Road until you get to a T junction, turn left again into Poulton street, which becomes Preston Street. On the right after about 300 yards is the Stable Bar where you can enjoy a drink and a chat before getting the free bus to Kellamergh Park.

Lytham: Two stops further than Kirkham & Wesham the station has it’s own pub imaginatively called the Station however if you proceed straight ahead to the Square and then turn right into Henry Street you will be welcome in The Taps, an award winning CAMRA pub with a Sunderland supporting landlord. Come out of the Taps (if you can) turn left and then right into Queen Street which will bring you out opposite the County Hotel where you can have a Pizza and a pint whilst waiting for the free bus to Kellamergh Park.

Kellamergh Park is located in Warton, near Preston.

Leave the M55 at Junction 3 and take the A585 towards Kirkham. After three quarters ofa mile you will approach a roundabout, which just before on the right you will see where the new AFC Fylde stadium is being built. Go straight across continuing on the A585 following the signs for Wrea Green (2nd exit) . Carry straight on across a further two roundabouts and when you reach a third take the second exit towards Lytham/Wrea Green (B5259). Go straight across the next mini roundabout and at the second mini roundabout in the village (by The Grapes pub) take a left turn into Bryning Lane, signposted Warton, in just under two miles you will reach the Birley Arms on your left. Go through the pub car park to the access road at the far end on the left (watch out for the five barred gate). Parking for 150 cars is available behind the Main Stand however this likely to fill quickly. The training ground has during the play offs been used as an overspill, however this is unlikely to be the case during the season when it will be required for training purposes. Street parking is really not an option in the middle of the countryside so an alternative would be to park in either Kirkham or Lytham and catch the shuttle bus. Coaches are advised to reverse into and through the pub the car park.

Post Code For SatNav: PR4 1TN

The nearest railway station is Moss Side which is two miles from the ground however it is strongly advised not to alight here as the walk is down country lanes and there is no taxi rank. Either get off at Kirkham & Wesham which is served by trains from Preston, Blackpools North and South, or Lytham which is on the South Fylde Line which runs from Colne to Blackpool South via Preston. From Kirkham you can catch the free shuttle bus to Kellamergh Park from the Stable Bar (see Where to Drink above) at 12.45 and 14.00. From Lytham the bus leaves from the County at 13.15 and 14.30. Unfortunately it only runs on Saturday’s, so far. After the game the bus leaves from the Birley Arms outside the ground at 17.30 and goes via Lytham to Kirkham. Taxis from Kirkham (Macs) 01772 683003, Lytham (Premier) 01253 711111 (make sure you ask for the football ground as you are likely to end up at Fylde Rugby otherwise). The 68 Bus which runs between Preston and Blackpool stops at Warton (ask for the Pickwick). From the bus stop proceed up Church Road. Kellamergh Park is half a mile along on the right.

Find train times, prices and book tickets with trainline. Booking tickets in advance will normally save you money!

Remember if travelling by train then you can normally save on the cost of fares by booking in advance.

Visit the the trainline website to see how much you can save on the price of train tickets.

Click on the trainline logo below:

Adults £12 Over 65’s £9 Students (Under 19) £5 Under 16’s £5*

* Under 16’s who become club members are admitted free of charge.

At Kellamergh Park 2015-2016: 522 (Conference North)

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