FLOODED PITCH POSTPONEMENT CALLS FOR FLEETWOOD MAK

The postponement of their play off match at York City, due to a flooded pitch, has heightened the nerves of the Cod Army, who are looking to continue their remarkable ascent to the top of the Football League by beating York City en route to another Wembley final. The Fylde club has had its ups and downs since its foundation but their position now will give heart to all clubs floundering in the lower table of the football pyramid.

Town have been based at their refurbished Highbury Stadium for almost 70 years. The original team played on a pitch next to the North Euston Hotel, where the police station is, moving to the present ground in 1934. The club's colours were previously amber and black but changed to red and white as part of an arrangement with a local trawler company whose own corporate colours were red and white. Fleetwood was a major fishing port until the Icelandic Cod Wars and EEU fishing restrictions in the 1970's. The club celebrated a successful sponsorship deal by initiating a quick change of name to Fleetwood Freeport FC.

The club’s first representative side emerged in the mid 1880’s but the original Fleetwood FC did not come into existence until 1908. They played in the Lancashire Combination League and then became founder members of the Northern Premier League in 1968.

In 1976, Fleetwood were forced into extinction; the victim of a winding up petition served by the Inland Revenue. A year later, Fleetwood Town FC was formed, carrying all before them in their inaugural season, prompting a move to the Cheshire League. In 1980 the club reached the First Round of the FA Cup where they met neighbours Blackpool. The Seasiders triumphed 4-0 but the glory belonged to the Cod Army.

On the formation of the North West Counties Football League in 1982, Fleetwood Town were placed in Division Two.  At their second attempt, Fleetwood were crowned Second Division Champions and earned promotion to the top Division. A year later, Town enjoyed their then greatest day ever when they reached the Final of the FA Vase. Sadly they lost the Wembley final against Halesowen.  In 1987, Fleetwood joined the new First Division of the Northern Premier League, winning the title immediately. Promotion to the Premier Division saw them compete favourably when they finished fourth in season 1990/91. However, the joy was short-lived and after a period of severe instability the club again folded in ignominious fashion in 1996. A new club was reformed in 1997 and during their second year of existence, season 1998/99, Fleetwood once again found themselves on the trophy trail when they clinched a North West Counties League and Cup double; earning promotion to Division One as a result.  Despite some success and stability, the chairman resigned, the ownership of the club transferred to former manager Mick Hoyle, who then departed in the build up to the 2001/02 campaign.

In July 2002, Fleetwood Freeport reverted to the club’s former title of Fleetwood Town after the 5-year sponsorship deal with Freeport PLC ceased. The 2002/03 season saw further changes as the club’s fortunes improved when Tony Greenwood was appointed manager and then a few months later Hoyle stood down as chairman and owner, to be replaced by Andy Pilley. Pilley inspired a dramatic and immediate transformation in the club’s fortunes. Fleetwood finally made it to the UniBond League 1^st division by winning the North West Counties Division One title in record style during season 2004/05. Twelve months on, Town were celebrating back-to-back promotions with second place and automatic promotion to the UniBond League Premier Division. Season 2006/07 saw Town just fail to make the UniBond Premier Division play offs. The cups brought huge consolation though with a League Cup Final triumph over Matlock Town and an exciting run to the first round proper of the FA Cup.

Off the field, Fleetwood opened the new £250,000 Percy Ronson stand and begin season 2007/08 hopeful of another fruitful campaign. The UniBond Premier Division title and promotion to the Blue Square North was added to Fleetwood’s list of honours in 2007/08. So the Cod Army made it three promotions in just four years. A £1million re-development at Highbury Stadium followed as Town took prepared for Blue Square North football in 2008/09. But after a poor start to the campaign, manager Tony Greenwood left the club after nine league games and five points and Micky Mellon, a former player with West Brom, Blackpool and Tranmere Rovers, was appointed first team manager.

Micky Mellon steered his 2009/10 side to a second spot finish and promotion to the Conference National. Fleetwood Town were crowned champions of the Football Conference following the 2011-12 season. The club took its place in the Football League for the first time in 2012-13 and immediately finished 13th in League 2 under the guidance of Graham Alexander. The rest is history!