Former Barnsley and West Bromwich Albion coach axed from role as head coach of non-league club
Former Barnsley and West Bromwich Albion coach Adam Murray has been sacked as head coach of AFC Fylde.
The 42-year-old had been in charge of the club for just under a year, having taken the reins in November 2022.
He leaves with the Coasters rock bottom of the National League, five points adrift of safety.
A statement released by Fylde read: “Following the recent run of results, the board of directors have today decided to relieve Head Coach Adam Murray of his duties with immediate effect.
“The board would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Adam for achieving last year’s promotion to the National League and
wish him all the best for the future.
“The club will now begin an immediate search for a new head coach, but in the meantime, director of football Chris Beech will take
over the running of the team, starting with Saturday’s important FA Cup tie against Leek Town.”
Murray worked within Barnsley’s academy but stepped into the role of caretaker manager on more than one occasion before becoming
a trusted lieutenant of Valerien Ismael.
He followed Ismael to West Bromwich Albion and Besiktas following their time together at Oakwell.
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AFC FYLDE 2-2 ALBION WOMEN
Albion Women made it a third straight game undefeated in all competitions with a 2-2 draw against AFC Fylde Women at Kellamergh
Park on Sunday.
Head coach Siobhan Hodgetts-Still made two changes to the side that secured progression in the FA Women’s National League Cup
last weekend, Lizzie Bennett-Steele came in for Taylor Reynolds at right-back, whilst captain Hannah George returned to the XI in
place of Ash Brown.
The Baggies began the game in bright fashion and saw their first chance of the game come from a corner, as returning skipper George
tried to divert a Lucy Newell header goalwards but her effort went just wide of the post.
It was Fylde who picked up the pace of the game, they were driven forwards by left-sided midfielder Lily Murphy, who cut inside
before forcing a superb reflex save from Lucy Jones with a powerful effort.
Murphy again caused the Albion defence problems, as she was played in behind with a lofted through pass, but made no mistake this
time with the finish – blasting her effort over Lucy Jones to give the Coasters the advantage.
However, the Baggies were keen to level the score and almost managed just that when Phoebe Warner cleverly crafted a pocked of
space down the right-hand side, before cutting back for Steph Weston who couldn’t direct her effort goalwards.
As the two teams returned for the second half, Albion began with a renewed vigour and scored just two minutes in as Olivia Rabjohn
slalomed her way into the box and hit a curling shot into the top left corner.
The boss opted for two changes just before the hour mark with second-time debutant Delphi Cole introduced along with forward
Jannelle Straker.
Not long after, it was that substitution that proved to be an inspired one, as Straker won the ball from the Fylde defence high up the
field, found herself space just outside the box and unleashed a shot into the top right corner leaving the goalkeeper stranded.
However, Albion’s lead didn’t last long as Ginny Lackey turned on the centre circle and hit an audacious effort which went over
goalkeeper Jones and into the back of the net.
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