Stanley boss John Coleman wishes derby rivals and good friends Jim Bentley and Kenny McKenna all the best in their new roles at AFC Fylde.
Coleman and Bentley have been in opposite dug-outs many times as managers as the Shrimps and the Reds have clashed through non-league and league days.
After 17 years at the Globe Arena as a player and boss, Bentley and his assistant McKenna have been announced as the new management team at National League side Fylde.
“Jim and Kenny are great fellas, proper football players and they are the closest people I can relate to in football,” said Coleman.
“Morecambe FC won’t be the same without them.
“You can never question Jim and Kenny’s commitment to Morecambe, it’s a club dear to my heart and I played some of my best football there.
“They have done so well for Morecambe, keeping them in the Football League. Jim has never hid behind the finances, resources, facilities and infrastructure as, like me, he knows it’s 11 v 11 once you get on the pitch and you have to believe you are better than the opposition.
“It’s a real achievement to have kept them in the league all these years.
“They have decided to move on and one thing we know is that Fylde are getting a dedicated manager who will put his heart and soul into the club and hopefully they can take Fylde into the Football League.”