Fylde sign forward

He has been on Fylde’s radar for some time and has been brought in to boost their forward power in an attempt to consolidate in National League One next season.

Rawlings was skipper at Longton - he has previously played for Caldy, Manchester and French side Limoges.

The Potteries club were very keen to keep hold of him and were disappointed that he left.

He was also at Vale Of Lune at the start of his career when Fylde coach Mark Nelson was there.

After completing the deal, Nelson said: “I am delighted to have Gareth on board at Fylde - he is a back five forward who will fit into the way we play.

“Gareth is an athletic player, combative and one who reads the game - he is a good footballer too, so he ticks all the boxes.

“We have helped him find a job (as an electrician) in the area - he and his wife have just had a baby boy, he is re-locating to this area and he is taking another step along life’s path by coming to Fylde.

“He wants to prove himself at two levels higher than he has been used to at Longton.”