History was made on Monday night as two young Fleetwood Town players made their international debuts for England and Wales respectively.
17-year-old goalkeeper Billy Crellin became the first player in the club’s history to represent England at Youth Level, when he came on shortly after half-time in their friendly against South Africa.
Attacker Dan Mooney also made history, becoming the first Fleetwood Town player to represent Wales, this time at under 19 level. The 18-year-old started against Iceland in Rhyl in an international friendly.
Chief Executive, Steve Curwood, added: “This is a fantastic personal achievement for them both. To get international recognition at any level is fantastic, and hopefully it will be sign of many more call ups for the two and sets the benchmark for others within the academy structure.
“Billy and Dan’s call ups for England and Wales means the club have now had call ups for the all of the home nations at Youth Level – which is another example of the importance the club put the emphasis on youth development.”
“Billy’s call up has an extra element, with him being one of our own. He started at Fleetwood Town Juniors at the age of eight and we look forward to seeing his development continue with us.”
Both Crellin and Mooney are not the first players to receive international recognition whilst playing for Fleetwood Town…
Conor McLaughlin became the first Fleetwood Town player to play at senior level whilst at the club, representing Northern Ireland. McLaughlin also featured at Euro 2016, and has scored at international level last year in the Green and White Army’s win over Azerbaijan last year.
Former academy player Tre Sterling won five caps Northern Ireland’s under 17’s side between August and October 2015, including three appearances in their European U17 Championship Qualifying campaign.
Striker Declan McManus made two substitute appearances for Scotland’s under 21’s in October 2015 against France and Iceland in their European U21 Championship Qualifying campaign.
Dion Charles has so far earned three caps for Northern Ireland’s under 21’s since joining the club. Charles started against Macedonia last September and also featured from the bench against Iceland and Ukraine.
Prior to becoming a member of the Football League, Danny Rose, Junior Brown, George Donnelly and Shaun Beeley enjoyed call ups for the England C team.