It has been a ground-breaking season for Fleetwood Town as they seek to establish themselves as a Football League club.
by David MitchellIt has been a ground-breaking season for Fleetwood Town as they seek to establish themselves as a Football League club.
It has also been significant for First Team Coach, Steve Macauley, who has taken a full-time position at Highbury:
‘It was something that I had to think long and hard about but you only get one chance in life. Football is what I’m about and what I know.’
The former Crewe Alexandra centre-half has been involved with Fleetwood since 2005 and has combined football duties at the club with his work as a physiotherapist in the NHS since 2008:
‘I also work with my wife in a private physiotherapy practice from home. We’ve been established since 1997 and it has fitted in ideally with my football commitments and complements my wage because security is not always there in football like it is in the NHS. My family have always been very supportive and once the practicalities had been sorted out to go full-time on the football side there was only one way forward. A lot of people I was in football with as a player are desperate to get back into the game and I didn’t want to waste the chance.’
‘I will call on my physiotherapy expertise at the club, working alongside ‘SOS’ (Ian Liversedge) and Danny (Moore), but it’s out on the pitch where I want to make my mark. It’s already been a good experience and I’m learning all the time. The club is an exciting place to be and I want to be part of the journey. Everywhere you go you hear about Fleetwood Town. I’ve just done my ‘A’ Licence and we had people talking about us there.’
‘It’s not all sweetness and roses and we’ve had problems with injuries and form but that’s football. Unless you are involved with a Barcelona you have to accept it. It’s a big learning process for everyone. There is definitely a gap in quality between the Conference and League Two. We are meeting teams every week who are well-organised, physically strong and a good mix. Every point we collect is hard-earned and we have to be on our mettle every time we play. I think it would be a fantastic effort if we were at least in or around the play-offs come the end of the season.’
