Fleetwood Town’s first-year scholar Mikey Lane spoke to the club after scoring four goals in four matches in the Professional Development League.
Mikey has featured regularly for the Under-18s over the past 12 months and finished the 2022/23 season as the leading scorer for both the Under-16s and Under-18s respectively before earning a first-year scholarship.
Possessing an aggressive and competitive attitude on the pitch, Lane has shone this campaign by scoring four goals in three goals and hasn’t looked back since the first moment he entered the building.
His progression thus far has also led to appearances for the Under-21s squad. He was also selected on the bench for the historic fifth-round FA Cup tie against Burnley FC last season.
Here’s what Mikey had to say on this season, the trip to Turf Moor and his first year as a scholar:
On the scholarship…
“I knew a lot of the lads – who are now second-year scholars – because of my time in the team last year. Being in the building over the last 12 months has helped, and it gave me a sense of what life could be like as a scholar.
“Making friends with the Under-18s was great because they passed on advice and helped me with ways I can conduct myself around the training ground and the hotel, so all of these tips and tricks have made the transition 10x easier.
“The digs are amazing, and yes moving away from home was difficult and the parents were not too happy with that decision, but I do think it’s one of the best aspects of our Academy because you’re in a big hotel with your teammates, your friends - you can’t complain.
“I share a room, but just being around the lads is key to helping us bond together for matches and the season ahead. We make sure that nobody is alone inside or outside the hotel, and there’s always something to do, but our minds are always on football and being the best person we can be.”
On the start to the season…
“Scoring my first hat-trick of the season against Queens Park Rangers (QPR) was unbelievable, even more so after the defeat away at Colchester the week before. It was all about getting the momentum back and putting things right and I believe we did that. It was a team effort and we made sure that it was not two back-to-back defeats.
“It has been a great start for the group (Under-18s) with the opening day win over Watford, but on a personal note, to score four games in three games, I couldn’t be any happier. It maybe should have been four goals for me against QPR as I missed a penalty but when we got another one in the match, I made sure I stepped up and put the spot-kick away.
“As a striker, I do have targets but following on from last year being the Under-16s top goal scorer and then also being the top scorer in the Under-18s with 15 for the season, I have a goal in mind, and we are on the right track.”
On the night in Burnley…
“Originally, I was planning to be in the stands with some of the lads from the Under-16s as it was a historic moment for the football club. We planned this over the weekend and then on the Monday, I was told I was going to be involved in an Under-21s game on Wednesday, but some of the other lads said there wasn’t a fixture, so I was a little bit confused.
“The lads then told me that I was going to be with the first team for training and I completely lost my head. I really didn’t know what to do, but I knew there would be a good chance I would be part of the matchday squad.
“I trained the day before the game with the first team, and I have to say the lads were amazing with me and I can’t thank them enough for that. With it being a matchday -1 session, we did some small-sided games and I scored a few goals and impressed the management team, and from there, I was told I would be travelling and would be in the squad.
“I remember arriving at the ground and walking out of the tunnel at Turf Moor. It was an amazing feeling and when I was warming up and people were clapping, with my family being there, it was just the best feeling in the world.
“Being calm and being professional was key for me that night, but there was a reason I was in the squad. I must have been doing something right in training and in matches so I thought I deserved this chance, and if there was a moment I just needed to take it.
“When I told my parents about the call-up, my Mum and Dad didn’t believe me and kept saying why am I lying about this news. It was only when I sent them the official matchday squad image, they began to believe, and then came the praise because I know how much work I have put in and I also acknowledge the time my parents have put into me over the years."
Want to sponsor Mikey Lane? – the young forward is available for an individual and business sponsor, which will give you the opportunity to meet and greet Mikey, as well as get an invitation to the End of Season Awards Night at Highbury Stadium.
If you’re interested in being a sponsor, please contact our Commercial Manager, Sam Heaney via email at sam.heaney@fleetwoodtownfc.com.
