Cod Army will play their second game of tour of Germany
Alemmania Aachen will be Fleetwood’s second opponents on the tour of Germany with Town coming up against them on the 18th July.Like the Cod Army’s other German opposition during pre-season, Borussia Dortmund B, Aachen are also in the fourth tier of German football, Regionalliga West.
Last season they finished in second place, finishing behind winners Borussia Monchengladbach B by just one point in their second season back in the Regionalliga West following relegation from 3. Liga in 2013.
Despite being in the fourth tier of German football, Aachen are a team with plenty of heritage and history having been founded in December 1900.
Back in 1968/69 they finished as runners-up in the Bundesliga to giants Bayern Munich. The following season though they were relegated and remained out of the top flight for 36-years before returning as 2. Bundesliga runners-up in 2006.
Even during their time out of the top flight though and struggling financially, Aachen were still capable of providing shockwaves.
In 2004, as a second tier side, they made their way to the German Cup final for the third time in their history beating 1860 Munich, Bayern Munich and Borussia Monchengladbach, and qualified for the UEFA Cup.
They made it to the round of 16 before losing to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, a run which helped boost their financial stability before they returned to the top flight two seasons later.
Following relegation in 2007 though, ‘the Potato Beetles’ as they are known suffered back-to-back relegations from 2. Bundesliga and 3. Liga in 2012 and 2013 respectively.
Aachen play their home matches in the New Tivoli stadium, which has a capacity of over 32,000 with them moving into it just six years ago.
Their former stadium, Old Tivoli homed the club from 1928-2009 and had a capacity of just over 21,000. It also played host to Alemmania Aachen B for two years from 2009-11 until it was closed.
The game against the Cod Army however will be played outside of Aachen in the town of Eschweiler, at the ground of FC Germania 07 Dürwiß (Sportpark am See Jülicher Straße 270, 52249 Eschweiler)
Aachen are currently coached by Peter Schubert, who has been in place since 2013 while they have also had a number of notable former players.
Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lewis Holtby began his career with the Potato Beetles, as did another ex-German international Thorsten Frings who played in the 20006 World Cup.
Ex-Preston North End goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann is also a former player, whilst Scottish forward Chris Iwelumo also spent time with them in 2004-05.