Interview: Phil Newham Discusses Remembrance Day Fixture at AFC Fylde

To commemorate our special Remembrance Day fixture, we chose a special interviewee for this week’s matchday programme. 

AFC Fylde Kit Manager Phil Newham sat down with ‘The Coaster’ to discuss his days serving in the military, and what the upcoming Remembrance Day means to him.

Watch the full interview here:

After joining the forces straight from school at the age of 16, Newham completed nine years in the services before moving onto new pastures.

He said: “I started off as a chef for two years and then progressed onto being a driver which I did for nearly eight years. 

“I absolutely loved it. It was like a second home with a really close-knit family and I enjoyed every minute that I was there.

“I was pretty homesick when I first started but my parents made me stick it out and I can’t thank them enough for helping me through it because it’s made me the decent person that I am today.”

Over the long period, Newham saw many different places and served in plenty of different operations.

He continued: “In the time I was there as a driver, I was in Afghanistan and Iraq, completing six months in each respectively. I’ve also been in Oman and the Falklands, so I’ve seen a bit of action during my time there.

“The main one would be Afghanistan, doing aircraft refuelling, passenger transfers, convoys and everyday sort of stuff that the military support the army with.”

Now in his role at Kit Manager at AFC Fylde, Phil recognises the importance of Remembrance Day more than most.

He added: “After serving in Afghan and Iraq, I personally have lost a couple of friends throughout the war zones so it means an awful lot to me to be able to pay my respects to them.

“We all know the way the world is going at the moment so Remembrance Day will be massive and it’s a great way that the football community can pay respect to the things the military do every single day.”

“Football reminds me of being back in the forces when we’re all one unit and one family.

“It has a very similar feeling when we’re all one and we’re almost living in each other’s pockets day in, day out when we’re all together working hard so it’s nice to be back in that environment in this role now.”

Finally, ahead of today’s fixture against Gateshead, Newham is filled with pride as he will be ensuring the lads’ shirts are bearing a Remembrance Poppy and they cross the white line.

He concluded: “It’s a massive thing for me to be able to do. 

“It means so much to myself and my colleagues that I get to do something on behalf of the football community and seeing the lads wear the poppies will be special knowing I’ve put my little stamp on the shirts and the day.”

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