PU PREVIEW 46: FLEETWOOD TOWN

Fleetwood Town was formed in 1908 as Fleetwood FC. After almost sixty years in the Lancashire Combination, they became founder members of the Northern Premier League in 1968. After folding in 1976 due to financial difficulties, the club re-formed the following year as Fleetwood Town FC and eventually made its way back to the Northern Premier League. Sadly, this second incarnation of the club folded in 1996. The club re-formed for a second time in 1997, as Fleetwood Wanderers FC, playing in the North West Counties Football League. It became Fleetwood Freeport FC immediately, due to a sponsorship deal, and in 1999 changed its name again to Fleetwood Town FC. After several promotions, the club reached the Conference North in 2008 and was promoted to the Conference in 2010 via the play-offs. Fleetwood made the play-offs in their first season but lost 8-1 on aggregate to AFC Wimbledon. The 2011-12 season was momentous for Fleetwood, as the club reached the third round of the FA Cup and was promoted to the Football League as Conference champions. Another promotion followed via the League Two play-offs in 2014.

Fleetwood, nicknamed the Cod Army, are managed by Joey Barton and play their home games at Highbury Stadium, where they have been since 1934. They finished 11th in League One in the 2018-19 season.

Pompey and Fleetwood have met just eight times, including one FA Cup game which Pompey won 2-1 in January 2020. In the seven League matches, Pompey have won four times and Fleetwood three. The last League game was at Highbury Stadium in February 2020 and finished 1-0 to Fleetwood.

(Information via Wikipedia and www11v11.com)