sport news Fylde boss Dave Challinor won't be intimidated by Salford

Wembley used to be a second home to Gary Neville and Salford City's famous owners but AFC Fylde manager Dave Challinor also had an important occasion there.

'2000 League Cup Final, Leicester v Tranmere,' he points out. 'I was 24 and we really fancied ourselves as underdogs. Unfortunately, Matt Elliott scored a late winner for Leicester.

'It went by in a blur and I don't really know what the manager John Aldridge said in his team talk. Probably something about making life uncomfortable for them.'

Dave Challinor won't be intimidated by reputations ahead of Fylde's clash with Salford

Dave Challinor won't be intimidated by reputations ahead of Fylde's clash with Salford

Not quite the glory that Messrs Neville, Beckham and Scholes took away from their glittering careers but Challinor, a centre-half best known for his long throw, has good reason not to be intimidated by reputations ahead of Saturday's National League play-off final at Wembley.

Not only did he regularly play against the Class of 92 when they were all young whippersnappers making their way, he also helped welcome Gary Neville to Fylde after the Manchester United star bought Salford in 2014 and wanted to learn how to run a non-league club.

'Gary contacted our chairman (David Haythornthwaite), came to visit and basically asked a lot of questions,' reveals Challinor.

'He wanted to know all about the infrastructure; staffing, budgets, when to go full-time. Gary had experience at the top level but wanted to work out a pathway for Salford. 

'Like every successful person, he realised you don't have to reinvent the wheel, if you take the best ideas from others, you have a chance.

'I think he would recognise the information he got was invaluable in taking Salford forward.'

Challinor takes lowly Fylde to Wembley to face Salford in the National League play-off final

Challinor takes lowly Fylde to Wembley to face Salford in the National League play-off final

Neville has remained good pals with Haythornwaite and Challinor remembers a sense of a young owner in a hurry.

'Gary said to our chairman that for him, time is money. The longer Salford spend in non-league, the more money it will cost them because of the TV and sponsorship revenue in the Football League. 

'If you have resources at your disposal, put them in because it will save you down the line.

'Our plan at Fylde was always to get into League Two but Salford are thinking bigger than that, to break into The Championship. 

'It is ambitious but that is where they are looking and are in a big rush to get through. I think

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