Fylde sign up trio of players for 2015/16

Fylde's new Head Coach (designate), Paul Arnold, has made his first signings for the 2015/16 campaign.

Senior Lancashire County caps Dominic Moon & Peter Altham and the versatile young, former Lancashire U'20s back Lewis Allen have all committed to joining the Club for a crucial season in National One. At the end of that season, the division is due to be reduced to 15 clubs from the current 16 so there will even more pressure than usual for clubs to maintain their status at level 3 in the RFU hierarchy. All three players are currently with Preston Grasshoppers.

For prop forward Peter Altham it will be a return to the club he joined in 2009 and where he made 115 1st team appearances after moving from his home club Wharfedale. The popular 25 years old England Deaf international was also employed by the Club as a community coach and spent a lot of time helping the development of youngsters within the Club and outside it in local schools. He joined 'Hoppers in January 2014 and has made 34 appearances in National Two (North) for the Lightfoot Green club to date. Apart from numerous Lancashire caps, Peter also has the distinction of senior appearances for his native Yorkshire in the County Championship.

Powerful No 8 or flanker Dominic Moon, 29, is also a very experienced National Leagues campaigner. Hailing originally from Blackburn, he had a season at level two with Waterloo before moving to Halifax where he made 47 appearances in National One. He joined Preston Grasshoppers at the start of the 2009/10 season, has made 104 team appearances and is a previous 1st team skipper. Famously, he scored seven tries in a game against Otley in 2012. He has missed most of this season through injury but is now back in playing action.

Lewis Allen, 22, is a local Lancashire player who has risen through the ranks at 'Hoppers as well as gaining representative honours with England Colleges & Lancashire U'20s. He has made 64 1st team appearances for Preston to date since his debut as an 18 year old in 2012. He is particularly versatile as he can play fly-half, fullback or wing. He is a prolific goal kicker, with 231 points to his name so far this season, 3rd ranked in National Two (North).

Paul Arnold said: “I'm really excited by the thought of these three excellent players joining us next season. They all want to move up to National One as a personal development opportunity. We know all about Pete Altham, a hard working, powerful prop and a good scrummager, who now has lots of experience in National One & Two. He lives around the corner from the Woodlands so moving back will be very convenient for him and his family.

“I've known Dominic Moon for a number of seasons and have always admired him. At 29 he wants to step back up to National One level. He's an abrasive, aggressive ball carrier who wants a new challenge. He's very hungry to succeed at the Woodlands.

"In some ways, Lewis Allen joining us is the most exciting prospect of all. I coached him at Lancashire U'20s level and saw huge development potential. At 21 he's not the finished article but he is already a very talented attacking player who is also an accomplished goal kicker. He also wants to try his luck at National One level and is grateful for the opportunity to pit his wits against some of the great club names in English rugby such as Coventry, Richmond, Blackheath & Rosslyn Park.

"All three know the way we play at Fylde and want to buy into this."