As Newport County prepare to host Fleetwood Town at Rodney Parade, we take a closer look at Saturday’s opponents.
What’s their story?
Founded in 1997, Fleetwood Town F.C. is the fourth incarnation of a club originally established in 1908. Their supporters are known as the "Cod Army," reflecting the club’s identity, alongside the traditional nickname, "The Fishermen." The club has a notable rivalry with Blackpool, known as the Fylde Coast derby.
The original Fleetwood club won the Lancashire Combination in the 1923–24 season but resigned in 1928 due to financial issues. After a brief period with Fleetwood Windsor Villa, the club became a founding member of the Northern Premier League in 1968, folding in 1976 and reforming as Fleetwood Town the following year. They competed in the Cheshire County League and joined the North West Counties League in 1982, achieving promotion in 1984.
The current club began as Fleetwood Wanderers in 1997, winning the North West Counties League First Division title in 1998–99. Renamed Fleetwood Town in 2002, they saw significant success under owner Andrew Pilley. Fleetwood won the North West Counties League Premier Division in 2004–05, gained promotion from the Northern Premier League in 2006, and secured the Northern Premier League Premier Division title in 2008. They won the Conference National title in 2011–12, marking their entry into the Football League.
In May 2014, Fleetwood defeated Burton Albion in the League Two play-off final at Wembley, earning promotion to League One, completing six promotions in ten years. However, they faced relegation back to League Two in 2024.
Who’s the boss?
Charlie Adam is the current manager of Fleetwood Town, bringing a wealth of playing experience and leadership to the role.
Adam began his senior career at Rangers, where he spent much of his early years on loan to Ross County and St Mirren. During his time at St Mirren in the 2005–06 season, he contributed to the team’s success in winning both the Scottish Challenge Cup and the First Division, making over thirty appearances. Upon returning to Rangers, he became a regular fixture under managers Paul Le Guen and Walter Smith and was part of the squad that reached the 2008 UEFA Cup Final.
After falling out of favour in the 2008–09 season, Adam was loaned to Blackpool, a move that became permanent at the start of the 2009–10 season. He played a crucial role in helping Blackpool secure promotion to the Premier League, captaining the team to victory in the play-offs against Cardiff City.
His standout performances in the Premier League earned him a nomination for the PFA Players' Player of the Year in April 2011. Despite Blackpool’s relegation that same season, Adam transferred to Liverpool in July.
Following a season at Anfield, Adam joined Stoke City for £4 million in August 2012, where he enjoyed a successful seven-year stint, making 179 appearances. In July 2019, he moved to Reading and later returned to his boyhood club, Dundee, in September 2020, where he captained the team and led them to promotion to the Scottish Premiership.
After retiring from playing, Adam took on the role of loans manager at Burnley. He was appointed head coach of Fleetwood Town on 31 December 2023, inheriting a team struggling with a nine-game winless streak. Unfortunately, under his guidance, Fleetwood faced relegation from the EFL League One with one game remaining in the season.
Who’s the captain?
Brendan Wiredu, a highly-rated midfielder, currently captains Fleetwood Town after making a significant move from Colchester United, where he was pursued by several League One and Championship clubs for his signature.
Wiredu began his career at Charlton Athletic, initially gaining experience through a loan spell at Bromley before joining Colchester United on loan in 2019. His time at The U's proved fruitful, as he made 75 appearances, honing his skills and showcasing his potential.
In early 2024, Wiredu was appointed captain of Fleetwood Town following Josh Vela's departure to Carlisle United. As captain, he is determined to lead his team back to League One after last season’s relegation.
A key player
Record-breaking forward Ronan Coughlan is a key player for Fleetwood, having officially put pen to paper in January 2024 from sister club, Waterford FC.
Before making his mark on the Fylde Coast, Coughlan spent three years in England with Huddersfield Town from 2014 to 2017. He then returned to Ireland, where he played for Bray Wanderers during the 2018 season. Over the years, he showcased his talent at several clubs in Ireland, including Cork City, Sligo Rovers, and St. Patrick’s Athletic, before signing with Waterford in 2023.
During his impressive stint with The Blues, the 27-year-old forward scored an incredible 37 goals across all competitions, setting the First Division scoring record and breaking Waterford's record for most goals in a single season. His remarkable performance was instrumental in helping Waterford achieve promotion.
Coughlan's skills quickly caught the attention of Fleetwood Town, leading to his official signing on an 18-month contract. He made an immediate impact, netting his first senior goal in England during a 3-0 victory against Port Vale in February. So far this season, Coughlan has scored six goals in 12 appearances across all competitions, demonstrating his potential to be a key player for The Cod Army.
