Former Carlisle United manager Chris Beech and former Blues midfielder/full-back Joe Riley have been reunited at FC Fylde.
Beech is head coach at the National League side and he has signed the 27-year-old after his release from Walsall.
In his time with Carlisle Riley played 73 times in the League and scored five goals.
He has signed a one-year deal with Fylde with the option of a second.
He now reunites with Beech, where he played a key role in helping the Cumbrians finish 10th in Sky Bet League Two in the 2020/21 term.
Riley told the Fylde website: “Since the interest started five weeks ago, it’s really excited me, I’ve worked with Beechy in the past, so I know his attitude towards wanting to be successful and what he brings as a manager, so it was a no brainer for me to sign.
“I’m excited to get going, and being a local lad from round here, it’s an exciting challenge for me.
“Conversations with my agent and Beechy started a while back. I trusted Beechy and he trusted me as we’ve worked together in the past, so it was an easy decision.
“I’m glad it’s been sorted and over the line, so I’m excited to get started.
“Growing up in Lytham, I’ve been around this area for my whole life, it’s nice for myself and my family, they can pop down to the games, I’ve got a lot of friends in the local area so it will be nice to see them come down on the weekend and support the lads.
“I’m a tenacious player, a box-to-box midfielder and I like to get forward and create things and be a leader on the pitch. I think I’m an exciting player and can be a good driving point for the team.”
Riley feels that his ambition is aligned with that of Beech and the club. He is hoping for a successful 2024/25 season.
He added: “The ambitions that I have match those of the gaffer, I think for everyone here, we want to have a successful season.
“I wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t that ambition to be successful, so of course that’s what we are here to do and hopefully I can come here and help the team do that.”
