Fleetwood Town Football Club, based in the coastal town of Fleetwood, Lancashire, is a professional football club competing in EFL League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Known affectionately as The Cod Army by their supporters, the club also retains its traditional nickname, The Fishermen. They play their home matches at Highbury Stadium, wearing their iconic red shirts with white sleeves and white shorts. The club has a storied history, with the current Fleetwood Town F.C. being the fourth iteration since the original club was established in 1908. The original Fleetwood team achieved early success by winning the Lancashire Combination in the 1923–24 season, but financial struggles led to its resignation from the league in 1928. Subsequent incarnations of the club, including Fleetwood Windsor Villa and a later Fleetwood Town, enjoyed periods of regional prominence, including multiple Lancashire Combination Cup victories and a memorable FA Vase final in 1985. However, financial instability caused both these versions of the club to fold, the latter in 1997.
The current club emerged in 1997 as Fleetwood Wanderers before reclaiming the Fleetwood Town name in 2002. The turning point in their modern history came in 2004 when businessman Andrew Pilley took over the club, making significant financial investments that propelled Fleetwood through the football pyramid. While Pilley’s tenure brought unprecedented success, including six promotions in ten years, his later conviction for fraud cast a shadow over his legacy. Fleetwood’s rise to prominence began with their victory in the North West Counties League First Division in 1998–99. They continued to climb the ranks, winning the Northern Premier League Premier Division in 2007–08 and securing promotion from the Conference National in 2011–12, marking their historic entry into the Football League. The pinnacle of their ascent came in 2014 when Fleetwood triumphed over Burton Albion at Wembley in the League Two play-off final to secure promotion to League One.
Although relegated back to League Two in 2024, Fleetwood Town remains a symbol of resilience and ambition in English football. Their Fylde Coast derby with nearby Blackpool adds a fierce local rivalry to their season, showcasing the pride and passion of this small yet determined footballing community. With a history of overcoming adversity and an enduring connection to its fans, Fleetwood Town continues to be a cherished institution on the Lancashire coast.
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