December 2007/08

New Loan Keeper:
31/12/07 18:00

Fleetwood Town today signed Southport keeper Terry Smith on a one month loan deal in order to provide additional cover during the absence of injured Danny Hurst.

20 year old Terry is probably always going to be remembered as the first ever Southport goalkeeper to be beaten by an opposing keeper when Weymouth keeper, Jason Matthew’s 'shot' from the edge of the area caught on the wind and beat Terry. It was one way of getting yourself on national TV. Terry responded magnificently though and proceeded to put in some outstanding goalkeeping displays which caught the eye of the boss resulting in him being signed permanently in the close season having been on loan from Oldham for 13 games at the end of the 2006/07 season. His appearances this season have been limited because of the outstanding form of Rick Whiteside.

All at Fleetwood Town welcome Terry who is in the squad for tomorrow's game at Kendal.

Thoughts from the Dugout:
Big Match Preview with Tony Greenwood
31/12/07 16:00

'I can’t say that I am a big fan of ‘back to back’ league fixtures as they often just become second halves with little time to clear our heads and readjust.'
TG prepares for the Kendal return.

Read the full interview here.

Supporters' Coach to Kendal:
30/12/07 16:00

With the majority of fans finding their own way to Kendal on New Years Day, the supporter's coach is cancelled.

Fleetwood Town Reserves 3 Formby Reserves 2:
28/12/07 22:30

An amazing game this, played in torrential rain, as Fleetwood created a bucketful of chances in the first half only to find themselves 2-0 down at halftime thanks to duplicates of the Boxing Day goals by Kendal. Order was finally restored with second half goals from Donnelly, Foster and Cowell.

Read more here.....

Reserves v Formby:
28/12/07 09:00

Fleetwood Town Reserves are in action tonight at Highbury, in a rearranged fixture against Formby Reserves, with Steve Edwards fielding an exciting looking mix of first team and reserve squad players.

Here is the full squad: Mark Smith, Kyle Webster, Shaun Gray, Richard Bryan, Michael Tallentire, Jerome Watt, Anthony Warwick, Ciaran Donnelley, Nathan Pond, Steve Foster, Phil Denney, Mark Davis, James Hone and Joel Cowell.

Fleetwood Town 3 Kendal Town 2:
27/12/07 09:30

Festive fayre at Highbury in this entertaining game. Fleetwood created more than enough chances to have the game sewn up early in the second half but, having presented Kendal with two gift goals, they had to work very hard to secure the victory. The goals came from a Nathan Pond header, a Jamie Milligan penalty, and a Kieran Walmsley trade mark volley.

Team: Hale, Walmsley, Beeley, Robinson, Mercer, Pond, Brown, Milligan, Foster (Denney), Bell (Taylor), Watt Not used: Moran

Match report here.....

Press Release: Ground Redevelopment.
26/12/07 10:30

Fleetwood Town are today giving it's fans a fabulous Christmas present by revealing the finalised plans for the redevelopment of Highbury Stadium. Read the full release here.

Thoughts from the Dugout:
Big Match Preview with Tony Greenwood
26/12/07 09:30

'The first thought from the dugout is to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and to hope that you had a pleasant and relaxing day yesterday.' TG readies the team for this afternoon's local derby.

Read the full interview here.

A Merry Christmas from All at Fleetwood Town!

We'll that's it folks, it's time to hang up the boots, and the mouse, for a couple of days well earned rest! The lads certainly got everyone into a party mood with last Saturday's splendid victory at Hednesford, so let's see if we can keep the party going on Boxing Day.

Andy and the backroom staff, and Tony and the players, all wish you, our supporters and sponsors, a very Merry Christmas.

Fleetwood Town Reserves:
23/12/07 09:00

Steve Edwards' table topping team will now get to play some football over the Christmas holiday with the late announcement of the re-arranged home fixture against Formby to be played on Friday, December 28th, kick off 7:45pm. With the first team having a day off on the 29th, why not go along and see what all the fuss is about?

The Reserves also have a visit from Lancaster City Reserves arranged for January 18th 2008.

Hednesford Town 0 Fleetwood Town 3:
22/12/07 22:30

Another excellent away performance from a confident and professional Town team. Well timed goals from Kieran Walmsley, Jamie Milligan and Alex Taylor meant that the result was never in doubt.

And as an added bonus, the travelling Cod Army get to see it again on the NPLtv highlights show!

Match Report here.....

Hednesford Game / Update:
22/12/07 09:50

After a 'less frosty' night, the pitch has been judged playable and it is 'game on'.

Thoughts from the Dugout:
Big Match Preview with Tony Greenwood
21/12/07 16:00

'It’s Friday afternoon, tonight's Reserves game has just been called off due to the frost, and I’m wondering if tomorrow’s game at Hednesford will suffer the same fate.'

Read the full interview here.

Weather Reports:
21/12/07 11:30

The heavy overnight frost here in Fleetwood has, unfortunately, resulted in the postponement of tonight's Reserves game against Bamber Bridge.

With reference to Hednesford tomorrow, there is obviously a dialogue happening between our two clubs and, just as soon as there is anything definite to report, it will be posted here. Incidentally, the Supporter's Coach will run if the game is on, but there are still seats available - call 777607 quick.

The Reserves are back in Town:
20/12/07 08:00

Fleetwood Town Reserves are back at Highbury Stadium tomorrow night for their first home game since September 28th! Hands up those with wives who think that they play there every other Friday!

Fleetwood details here as soon as we have them, in the meantime there is a little rumour that a former Fleetwood star will be in the Bamber Bridge squad. More later.....

Supporter's Coaches:
19/12/07 19:00

Currently, there are only 13 reservations for the visit to Hednesford Town. For the trip to be viable, we need in excess of 20 bookings. If you wish to go, then please make a reservation before 10:00am on Friday, December 21st, by calling 01253 777607. At that time, the decision whether to run a coach or not will be made.

On New Years Day, we will run a coach to Kendal. Tickets, at £10, will be on sale on Boxing Day.

Peter Wright: a statement.
19/12/07 18:30

Forward Peter Wright signed for the club last month on a 'non-contract' basis, meaning that he was not contracted to play solely for Fleetwood Town. We have just been advised by the Lancashire FA that, whilst playing in a seven-a-side game for Ribbleton Rangers FC earlier this week, he was involved in a serious breach of discipline and, as a result, he is likely to be 'suspended for the foreseeable future'.

In order to provide cover during his absence, Alex Taylor has been recalled from his loan spell with Kendal Town.

Soccer Skills Course:
17/12/07 15:30

With the kids home for the holidays, Chris Garrett and Fleetwood Town Juniors are running another of their popular Soccer Skills Courses at Highbury from Thursday December 20th to Saturday December 22nd inclusive, from 09:00am to 16:00pm each day. If you would like more details or you would like to reserve a place, call Chris on 07760 363543.

Last Minute Xmas Present!
17/12/07 15:30

Just a reminder that the OnLine Club Shop stays open 24/7 for your last minute presents. Or, if you prefer, phone 01253 777607 during office hours when you can also discuss delivery / collection details. For either option, you can pay by debit or credit card.

Early Xmas Present!
17/12/07 11:30

Before Saturday's game, Tony Greenwood was presented with both the November 'Club of the Month' and 'Fair Play' awards by Gareth Davies of the UniBond League.

In addition to the magnum of Pol Roger champagne, shown here with the 'Club of the Month' wall plaque, the Fair Play award came with a large bottle of Famous Grouse.

Picture by Dave Roe

Fleetwood Town 1 Eastwood Town 1:
15/12/07 17:30

An awkward and ornery Eastwood Town took a fair share of the points today. In truth, they had the better scoring opportunities, but only managed to beat Mike Hale direct from a corner in the twentieth minute. Fleetwood sub Michael Brown, on for the injured Jez Fitzgerald, bagged the equaliser as Town had the better of a feisty second half, Eastwood surviving a string of corners in the last minutes. Jerome Watt and Eastwood's Ricky Hanson were both red carded as they debated a dead ball call.

Team: Hale, Beeley, Fitzgerald (Brown (Denney)), Moran, Mercer, Robinson, Walmsley, Milligan, Wright, Bell (Foster), Watt

Read more.....

Decision Time!
15/12/07 11:30

It's that time of year again! So what's it to be? Football or shopping?

The weather's perfect, the is pitch verdant and the pies have arrived. Make your apologies to your mates and get down to Highbury for the 3:00pm kick off. You know it makes sense!

Thoughts from the Dugout:
Big Match Preview with Tony Greenwood
14/12/07 16:20

'This is my third attempt at this interview and, although it does seem longer, we have only missed one week of football. I would not go so far as to say that we are desperate for a game, but certainly the players are looking forward to tomorrow’s match and the chance to get back out there and make amends for our performance at Coronation Park last September.'

Read the full interview here.

Rearranged Fixtures:
13/12/07 21:40

The visit to Buxton is now scheduled for Tuesday April 1st 2008, with Stamford playing at Highbury on the following Saturday, April 5th 2008.

Fleetwood U14s Fundraiser:
13/12/07 16:00

Fleetwood Town Juniors U14s Squad are planning an end of season tour around the south of England and they have now embarked upon fund raising to cover the costs of the team.

First up is Chris Garrett's 'Play Your Cards Right' to be held in the FTFC Social Club next Saturday, December 15th, starting at 7:30pm. Admission is free, but you will need to buy raffle tickets to join in the fun. There is hot food and a late bar until 2:00am, so why not pop along and try your luck!

Chris says, 'It would be very nice to see you all there; to see you there it very would be all nice .......... .......well, you know what I mean.'

Kendal Reserves 0 Fleetwood Reserves 4:
12/12/07 21:45

A stunning result for the Reserves at Kendal tonight; a hat-trick from Chris Watkinson with Michael Brown getting the opener.

Report here.....

Kendal Town Reserves v Fleetwood Town Reserves:
12/12/07 09:00

The Reserves travel to Kendal tonight for their top of the table clash; kick off is at 7:45pm.

Here is the squad: Mark Smith, Kyle Webster, Shaun Gray, Martin Moran, Richard Bryan, Michael Brown, Mark Davis, Ciaran Donnelly, James Hone, Chris Watkinson, Anthony Warwick, Jamie Wright, Michael Tallentire, Christian Dust and Ryan Croft.

Buxton v FTFC / Update:
11/12/07 13:55

The game is off. The frozen pitch hasn't thawed at all during the day and, with more sub-zero temperatures due this evening, it has been judged unplayable. Again, sorry folks!

Thoughts from the Dugout:
Big Match Preview with Tony Greenwood
10/12/07 16:20

'There really is nothing worse than having a game called off at short notice. And I expect that you are the same.' So says the Town manager after a quiet weekend for the playing staff ahead of tomorrow's visit to Buxton.

Read the pre-match interview here.

Stamford / Game Off:
08/12/07 11:20

The incessant rainfall since 09:30 has finally beaten the ground staff and made the already heavy pitch unplayable. The forecast is for rain for the rest of the day and so the Stamford game is off. Sorry folks!

**As a precautionary measure, the mid week U18s game against Kendal has also been postponed.

Thoughts from the Dugout:
Big Match Preview with Tony Greenwood
07/12/07 16:00

'So, it’s a return to league action tomorrow and, looking back over our last two games, it won’t need a tactical genius to work out my team selection. Last Tuesday’s game was an opportunity for the players currently on the fringe of the starting eleven to stake a claim but, in truth, no one put in a performance that said ‘Pick me’.'

A direct approach, as usual, from TG. Read the pre-match interview here.

Stamford / Pitch Update:
07/12/07 12:00

Following a preliminary pitch inspection this morning, our pitch is in remarkably good condition considering the heavy rain throughout this week. Tomorrow’s UniBond League game against Stamford should go ahead without any problems.

Player Moves:
06/12/07 19:00

Fleetwood Town winger Richard Allen has departed Highbury Stadium for Cumbrian rivals, Kendal Town. Richie scored 34 goals in 91 appearances for Town and was the 'Supporters Player of the Year' for season 2005/06. He moves on to Kendal for a new challenge after falling out of favour following the recent recruitment of a string of new signings. 

Meanwhile, another goal-scorer has also left for pastures new with striker Mickey Saunders turning his loan spell with Clitheroe into a permanent move. The former Ramsbottom United and Bacup Borough forward scored 18 goals in just 55 appearances during an injury blighted career at Highbury.    

All connected with Fleetwood Town wish Richard and Mickey the very best of luck for the future and thank them for their services. 

Reserves Fixture Change:
05/12/07 11:30

Fridays fixture away to Kendal Town Reserves will now be played next week, on Wednesday December 12th, kicking off at 7:45pm. A Westmoreland County Cup tie has been scheduled for next  Saturday and, with no other game being allowed in the preceding 24 hours, it takes precedence over the Lancashire League game.

Chorley FC 3 Fleetwood Town 1:
04/12/07 22:30

This wasn't good! Chorley were average and we were worse. A major accident on the M55 meant that some of the Cods, arriving just in time to see Phil Denney's goal, are now back home thinking we won!

Team: Hibbert, Walmsley, Fitzgerald, Gray, Moran, Pond [Cowell], Brown, Donnelly [Milligan], Foster, Denney, Allen [Warwick] Unused: Hale, Mercer

Match report here.

Next Stop - Victory Park:
04/12/07 13:00

The pitch is in good condition for tonight's LFA Co-operatives Challenge Trophy tie at Chorley. The kick off is at 7:45pm and we look forward to seeing you there. If you're driving, the ground is here.

Blackpool Reserves:
04/12/07 13:00

Wednesday's game against Preston North End has been rearranged for January 30th 2008.

Kendal Town U18s 1 Fleetwood Town U18s 3:
04/12/07 08:00

An excellent performance from the Fleetwood U18s squad got the Fleetwood v Kendal month off to a flying start with goals coming from Joyce, Booth and Marshall, on his debut. In addition to the first team meetings on Boxing Day and New Years Day, the Reserves are in Kendal next Friday and their U18s back here on December 12th.

Thoughts from the Dugout:
Big Match Preview with Tony Greenwood
03/12/07 16:00

'I know that I sometimes give the impression that the league and promotion are the only issues that matter to me and these cups are less important, but that really is not true. They are an important part of any season and I am, in fact, looking forward to tomorrow’s visit to Victory Park.'

So says Tony Greenwood at the start of his Chorley pre-match interview. He will be making changes to the Guiseley line up, some enforced due to players being cup tied, 'but, make no mistake, this will be no under strength team that we will be fielding'.

Read the full interview here.

Fixture Changes:
02/12/07 10:00

The home fixture against Eastwood Town will now be played on Saturday December 15th - switched from December 29th when we now have no game. We have also been notified that the Gateshead game scheduled for February 19th at Highbury will now be played on Tuesday January 15th 2008 - although this is subject to final confirmation.

The updated Highbury Fixtures Poster is here.

Guiseley 0 Fleetwood Town 2:
01/12/07 21:00

An excellent result today; the team just picking up from where they left off against Ashton and comprehensively outplaying Guiseley in the first half - Peter Wright and Andy Bell scoring the goals. The defense had more to do in the second half as Guiseley, playing with the strong wind at their backs, made a game of it, but the result was never in doubt. A good day out for the travelling cods.

Team: Hibbert, Beeley, Fitzgerald, Moran, Mercer, Robinson (Brown), Walmsley, Milligan, Wright (Foster), Bell (Denney), Watt

Read more.....