CricketRecap
IPL 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s revenge reads 6,6,6,6; Praful Hinge taken apart in 24-run over
IPL 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hits four sixes off Praful Hinge!
Yahoo Sports1 min read
Sports
'It's phenomenal' - AFC Fylde and Worthing promoted
TL;DR
AFC Fylde and Worthing FC have secured promotion to the National League, celebrating significant victories. Fylde clinched the National League North title with a dramatic 2-4 win at Merthyr Town, finishing the season with 100 points.
Key points
- AFC Fylde secured promotion to the National League.
- Fylde won the National League North title with 100 points.
- Worthing FC also achieved promotion.
Mentioned in this story
Craig Mahon
South ShieldsMerthyr TownAFC FyldeWorthing FC
While there are games still left in the top flight of English football, there were already scenes of title celebration at both ends of the country on Saturday when AFC Fylde and Worthing FC secured promotion to the National League.
Fylde were not guaranteed promotion at the beginning of the day with South Shields just two points behind them on 95.
However, their 1-0 loss at Kidderminster and Fylde's dramatic 2-4 victory at Merthyr Town - in which the Lancashire club had to fight back twice - sealed the National League North title with a 100-point haul.
"I'm over the moon," Fylde boss Craig Mahon told the club's official X account. "It's the best feeling I've had in my career, to be honest. To get 100 points, to become history makers as a club, to do all this.
"I'm so grateful and so fortunate to be at a club like this, and this is hopefully just the start of it because this is what we wanted, this is what we envisioned, and we'll try to do the same again next year.
"This group of lads, whatever happens in their careers, wherever they go on to, whether they go higher or lower, if they stay the same, they're going to get down in history for this club."
Fylde's promotion to the top of the non-league pyramid could also mean club captain Corey Whelan is reunited with his former side Carlisle United next season, should Carlisle not win promotion via the play-offs to League Two.
"In this industry, if you don't believe in yourselves, then no one's going to do it for you," Whelan said on X. "So we've believed all year, we set our stall out in pre-season and look, we've done it, and 100 points is an incredible achievement at any level."
In Sussex, Worthing clinched the National League South title, completing a remarkable rise under manager Adam Hinshelwood.
Hinshelwood - father of Brighton & Hove Albion player Jack, who was in attendance at Woodside Road - was appointed in October with Worthing having lost four out of 10 matches and sitting 15th in the table on 12 points.
Q&A
How did AFC Fylde secure promotion to the National League?
AFC Fylde secured promotion by winning 2-4 against Merthyr Town, coupled with South Shields' loss, allowing them to finish the season with 100 points.
What was the final score of the AFC Fylde vs. Merthyr Town match?
The final score of the match was AFC Fylde 4, Merthyr Town 2.
Who is the manager of AFC Fylde and what did he say about the promotion?
The manager of AFC Fylde is Craig Mahon, who expressed immense joy, calling it the best feeling of his career and highlighting the achievement of reaching 100 points.