About Us
Our History
Our History
Fleetwood was planned and built in the mid 19th century. It was to be an exciting new rail & sea transport hub linking London and Scotland. By the end of the century the Scottish service had finished and the Lancashire & Yorkshire rail funded Wyre dock had been completed moving the shipping wharves from the Wyre riverside to the Fylde coast allowing the Fleetwood fishing company to develop a larger fleet and the town to take its next steps forward.
By the mid 20th century Fleetwood had a flourishing fishing industry with large trawlers bringing fresh fish from rich northern waters which was then transported by rail to market in the cities of Lancashire, substantially improving the local diet. Fleetwood fish became very popular and a by-word for quality.
During the 1970’s with Iceland declaring a 200 mile fishing limit in its waters and changes in fishing quotas, the cod wars brought the Fleetwood fishing industry to its knees and the town unwillingly submitted to decline.
Originally formed in 1908 Fleetwood Town Football Club travelled a journeyman story through the lower leagues of the amateur game with its ups and downs. With significant financial investment we have risen like a phoenix from the ashes to breathe life back into Fleetwood. By 2014 we had achieved 6 promotions in 10 years and were playing at the highest level in our history, League 1 of the English football league, the third tier of our National game.
Fleetwood Town is now a by-word for on field quality and success against all odds. The fastest promoted football club in the history of the English game yet we are the second smallest town in the football league. We punch far above our weight. Jamie Vardy was
sold to Leicester City FC in 2012 for a record fee for a Non-league club. His meteoric rise now includes a Premier league title with Leicester City and England caps. A dream – Achieved.
A period of substantial infrastructure developments to our home ground, Highbury stadium, culminated with the Poolfoot Farm development, our world class training complex which was opened in 2016 to welcome a new dawn. Our focus- The development of exciting young talent. Our goal- to become economically sustainable, while continuing our rise up the Football pyramid.
We are trail blazing a new approach. Harnessing that entrepreneurial spirit of those brave trawlers from the Fleetwood fishing company which set out all those years ago. Our sights now set on fresh pools of talent from around the world. Fleetwood once again is an exciting new hub. The home port to a global fleet of football clubs. The destination for many young dreams. A platform from which to launch talent. A sustainable anchor to the community. We proudly serve Fleetwood Town.
