Whitmore, 23, is a product of Burnley’s youth system, where he gained first-team experience out on loan at Chester FC and Gateshead.

Following the experience in the National League, Whitmore made the step up to the Football League with Morecambe on-loan, where he made 43 appearances for the Shrimps.

After a brief spell in League One with Bury, a permanent switch to then-League Two side Chesterfield was the next move for Whitmore, who made 15 appearances, before making a move to Grimsby.

Whitmore made 35 appearances in all competitions last season for the Mariners, adding further experience to an already impressive Football League CV for the young defender.

Talking to www.afcfylde.co.uk, Whitmore said: “Off the back of AFC Fylde’s last season, the intention will be to do one more this season and get promoted,” said Whitmore.

“I’m somebody who tries their best to give everything they’ve got,” Whitmore said. “I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I pride myself on keeping the ball out of the back of the net.”

“Where I take real pride is the clean sheets and doing the horrible nitty-gritty side of it that sometimes doesn’t get seen”.