As Newport County prepare to face Fleetwood Town, 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?
Fleetwood’s current head coach is Pete Wild, who joined the club on Christmas Eve. The 40-year-old brings a wealth of experience from the lower leagues, having previously impressed at Oldham Athletic, Halifax Town, and most recently, Barrow.
Wild’s journey into football management is as unique as it is inspiring. Before taking to the dugout, he worked as a tree surgeon, an apprentice mechanic, and even helped out in his family’s pubs. That graft shows in the way his teams play—hard-working, organised, and never short on spirit.
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.
