After keeping two clean sheets in the past three leagues, The Shaymen may need to be on top form if they are to get past a rather resolute AFC Fylde defence. A key figure in that defenceโฆ Neill Byrne.
Who is he?
Signed on a two-year back in May from Gateshead, Byrne has firmly cemented himself in the back line as a starting centre-back. He came through the ranks as a young player at Nottingham Forest but in the past, he has played for other clubs, including, Rochdale, AFC Telford United and Macclesfield.
Byrne was born on the 2nd February 1993 in Portmarnock, Ireland and is a player who has represented his country at youth level previously, making appearances for Republic of Ireland U19โs.
Speaking upon signing Byrne, manager Dave Challinor told the Fylde website: โHe’s a good talker, good organiser, a good size and fits the way we play as he’s comfortable on the ball.โ
“He will be a really good asset for us and ticks a lot of boxes.”
In terms of this season so far for AFC Fylde, Byrne has been an ever present at the back and has started all 12 of the clubโs fixtures. Currently, his side sit 8th in the league table and actual have the third best defensive record in the league, a stat that really speaks volumes of his impact since arriving at the club.
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