The current incarnation of Fleetwood Town FC was formed in 1997, although there have been several previous incarnations, the first dating back to 1908.
The club come from the famous fishing town of Fleetwood on the Northwest coast of England, around seven miles north of Blackpool in Lancashire. Fleetwood FC as they were originally known became members of the Lancashire Combination in 1910, where they remained until 1968 when they became founder members of the Northern Premier League.
'The Trawlermen' to give them their original nickname, had moved into their Highbury Stadium home in 1939. Crowds were low during the clubs' years in the NPL and they folded owing to financial difficulties in 1976.
The club were re-established in 1977 as Fleetwood Town FC as they were admitted to the Cheshire County League from where they played Blackpool in the FA Cup First Round in a game switched to Bloomfield Road. The Seasiders ran out easy 4-0 winners, before two years later the North West Counties League was formed where Town were founder members.
In 1985 Town reached Wembley in the final of the FA Vase, where they were defeated 3-1 by Halesowen Town. Two years later the club were placed in the newly extended second tier of the Northern Premier League, and before long they were promoted to the Premier Division. However, it proved to be a step too far and they once again folded owing to problems of finance in 1996.
A new club Fleetwood Wanderers FC were formed as a replacement for the 1997-98 campaign in the North West Counties League, but before the season started, they changed their name to Fleetwood Freeport FC in acknowledgement of the new sea front development in the town. A promotion was achieved and in 2002 the club decided to use the historical Fleetwood Town name.
Around the same time, a local man Andy Pilley began his own company, Business Energy Solutions from the fall out of the utility's deregulation. In 2003 he bought the club and began pumping in money in the hope of fulfilling his dream of taking Town all the way to the Football League.
Former Blackpool midfielder Micky Mellon took over as manager after a poor start to the season, with his role becoming full time a few months later. Town reached the FA Cup Second Round for the first time ever that season, with Hartlepool United ending their run at Highbury in front of a record crowd at the time. Crowds gradually increased as fresh players were introduced to the club.
In 2010 Town reached the Conference National as they defeated Alfreton Town in the Highbury final of the play-offs in from of another new attendance high following victory over Droylsden. For the new season in non-league's elite, the playing staff were made full time, with Pilley's cash being splashed on several new signings.
The Cod Army's debut season as a member of the 'ninety-two' saw boss Micky Mellon depart to be replaced by Graham Alexander with the team finishing in mid table. The 2013-14 campaign saw Town defeat York City in the play-offs before an Antoni Sarcevic goal was enough to see off Burton Albion to win promotion to League One.
Fleetwood Town will compete in EFL League Two in the 2024-25 season.
My visits
Wednesday 1st February 2012
I had stayed in Blackpool the previous evening while on a couple of days break after working night shifts. It was a crisp but beautiful morning by the seaside and Blackpool had never looked better.
I had been to three non-league clubs in the town before 9am, owing to my insomnia and after a bite to eat, I headed for the promenade to catch a bus to Fleetwood. I would have taken the tram, but apart from test vehicles they were closed for track renovation.
I was relieved that I was ahead of schedule, although we quickened up once we'd dropped half the bus off at Cleveleys. My iPhone was very handy as I followed our progress on the map app, meaning I knew exactly where to get off. I alighted along Hatfield Avenue and was delighted to see the gate opened. I went inside to take my photos as the groundsmen were removing the protective covers from the pitch.
I got chatting to a couple of the very friendly groundsmen, who were a credit to their club. They assured me that Pilley was a good guy who was football mad. They welcomed him after they had some previous men at the helm who they didn't think too much of. I asked what was next for the stadium? They just chuckled and said, "Who knows with Pilley in charge!"
I said my thanks and goodbyes. I was told to return soon. It had been a lovely half hour. I chatted to a lovely lady at the bus stop, who like most people I met over my couple of days in Lancashire was a credit to the area.
I walked back to the station through parts of Blackpool that were nice, and others just a few years ago that were an eyesore. The old place certainly needs some investment, but there's still nothing like seeing that wonderful magical Tower for the first time in ages.
Fleetwood Town 1 Cheltenham Town 1 (Tuesday 26th February 2013) Football League Two (att: 2,013)
I had originally thought that I was going to this game after completing my night shifts, but I had taken my eye off the ball. I had been allotted the first week of the new leave pattern, so who was I to argue?
My room had been booked at the North Pier in Blackpool Travelodge well in advance for just £19.99, as had my rail tickets, even if the return wouldn't be used as I headed to Scarborough later in the week. My journey meant a change of trains in Preston, where I wandered to Deepdale and was treated to an impromptu stadium tour.
After some training on the wide expanses of Blackpool beach, including bowling at the sea wall in preparation for my forthcoming cricket tour to Thailand I washed and changed before taking the tram to Fleetwood. The afternoon had been beautiful, but it was already getting cold as the night drew in.
My match ticket had been purchased in advance and cost just £12.50 for a place on the terrace behind the home goal. Once I had collected that and bought a very impressive match programme, I headed for Jim's Bar underneath the home end. The facility was first class, with plasma screens everywhere as well as plentiful bar staff serving the thirsty punters. It was top class.
Before kick-off I needed some food, and the excellent quick service at the kiosk meant I was soon tucking into an exceptionally good and generous portion of pie, chips, and gravy. I took my place in the top corner of the stand to enjoy it.
The visitors from Gloucestershire were the better side throughout the first period. They were quicker and stronger and went into the lead with a twenty-yard shot from Marlon Pack. The home keeper Scott Davies was having a good game, and he needed to.
Fellow substitute Junior Brown headed home from a corner to restore parity, and despite plenty of huffing and puffing, which was the end of the scoring. The visitors would probably feel that they should have won the game, but they failed to capitalise when well on top.
I headed for the tram, and it was greeted with immense joy when it arrived to get the fans out of the bitter cold. I called in at both Wetherspoon houses located close to my digs on my return to Blackpool; The Albert and the Lion and The Layton Rakes, playing spot the customer in one and avoiding the drunk Irishmen in the other.
Blackpool really is tired in places, but the sight of The Tower still gets my pulse racing. I had enjoyed ticking off another venue and the sea air.
The black and white images of Highbury have been taken from textbooks.
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