Fleetwood Town v Wycombe Wanderers | Sky Bet League One Play-off Semi-final | Friday 3 July

TOWN

FLEETWOOD TOWN V WYCOMBE WANDERERS SKY BET LEAGUE ONE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL | FRIDAY 3 JULY 2020 KICK-OFF: 7:30PM | OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME | ISSUE #25 CARD SAVER

Fleetwood Town v Burnley

1

GAFFER’S NOTES GAF F ER’S NO T ES

GAFFER’S NOTES SPONSORED BY

I

t feels strange putting these notes together, as I would normally be welcoming you to Highbury, but as we know that for tonight’s game that is not the case.

Firstly, I hope all our supporters and keeping safe and well in these difficult and challenging times. I’m sure most of you will be delighted to see your team back in action tonight, albeit you’ll be tuning in on television or listening on the radio, but we know you’ll be supporting the team regardless. Even yesterday, we had a large number of supporters come and watch our final training session at Poolfoot and for the lads to see the backing was a real boost and reminder for them that the whole town is behind them at this exciting and crucial part of our season.

Tonight’s game is the most important game of our lives and there’s nothing beyond that.

2

We won’t be saving anything for the second leg or what might follow after that, so we are clear that we need to turn up tonight and give a great account of ourselves and put in a performance that our fans and town proud. For us, to finish in the play-off positions has been a huge achievement.

It’s our relentlessness and desire as a group that has stopped us patting us on the back because we don’t think we’ve got the job done yet. It’s a chance to showcase our team and the talent we have in the playing group.

We welcome Wycombe to Highbury tonight, in what will obviously be different circumstances to the last time they were here. Again I wish that all their supporters, players, staff and directors are safe and well and that those who have made the long journey up on a Friday night to Highbury have a safe journey home. I have huge admiration for

the job that Gareth has done and like us, have done brilliantly to finish in the play-offs. We’re expecting two tight games with two sets of players who will give everything to get through and face either Portsmouth or Oxford at Wembley a week on Monday.

I hope those who are able to watch and listen to the game enjoy the match and continue to support the team from home.

All the best,

Fleetwood Town v Burnley

3

MARK ROBERTS FEATURE GAFF ER’ S NOTES

MARK FROBERTS FEATURE GAF ER’S NO T ES

ROBERTS ON YORK PLAY-OFF TRIUMPH

"HAVING WON THE LEAGUE TWO PLAY-OFFS ON TWO SEPERATE OCCASIONS, IT'S LIKE WINNING THE LEAGUE AND THE CUP IN ONE. IF YOU CAN GET PROMOTION LIKE THAT, IT'S DEFINITELY THE BEST WAY!"

WORDS: DAVID MITCHELL

Former captain Mark Roberts spoke to David Mitchell about his experience of the 2013/14 Sky Bet League Two play-offs whilst at Fleetwood Town.

D

avid Mitchell recalls a memorable play-off campaign in 2014 with Fleetwood Town captain, Mark Roberts.

DAVID MITCHELL: It was Fleetwood Town’s second season in the Football League. Inconsistency had been a factor through the winter period but, coming into the final month, Town guaranteed a play-off place with a 2-0 win at Oxford United. There was still a chance of automatic promotion but a few twists and turns during April left Graham Alexander’s side fourth on 76 points, five behind third-place Rochdale.

MARK ROBERTS: It was tight towards the end.

Missing out on promotion certainly galvanised us going into the play-offs. We had joined an ambitious club and League

44

One was where we wanted to be.

MITCHELL: Back in February, Fleetwood had experienced disappointment in the Johnstone Paints Trophy Northern Final, with a Wembley place beckoning.

ROBERTS: We sat in the dressing room after the defeat and heard Chesterfield celebrating like they’d won the title, thinking how that could and perhaps should have been us.

We wanted to make the most of the second chance that we had been given.

MITCHELL: Semi-final opponents York City had been on a fantastic run which had propelled them from the edge of the relegation zone at the turn of the year.

A 2-1 win at Highbury on 1st February was the start of an unbeaten run of eleven wins and six draws.

ROBERTS: In Leagues One and Two there’s always a team who has a purple patch and comes from nowhere.

We knew that York were full of confidence whereas we had been gunning for automatic promotion for much of the season, only to fall short.

However, I sensed a real focus for us to get the job done and we produced some of our best form at the right time.

MITCHELL: There was drama before the first leg kicked off as torrential rain left the York pitch unplayable.

There was some pressure to play as Sky were televising the match live and said that they couldn’t accommodate it on another evening. However, the decision was made to postpone as the teams were warming up.

There really was no alternative.

ROBERTS: It was one of the more bizarre situations that I’ve faced as a player.

I remember Phil Brown, the Southend boss, doing his own pitch inspection with the referee which made us laugh afterwards in the dressing room.

We wondered why he was getting involved.

Postponement was probably the right decision but having travelled all that way, and the supporters as well, you just wanted to play.

MITCHELL: Forty-eight hours later the pitch was declared fit and Town won the leg 1-0 courtesy of former York player, Matty Blair.

ROBERTS: It was very much déjà vu but we were ready to go.

I think having to wait might have put the pin in the home support a bit as well. As the away team you are trying to nullify any home advantage that you can in the first leg.

We were very solid and organised by then and in a nice groove. We played well at York and capped it with Matty’s goal.

It was good to be going back to Highbury with that lead. Matty’s a great lad and wasn’t over-exuberant in his celebrations.

He knew that the job hadn’t been completed.

Ian Hume missed a chance to add to the scoreline but you wonder how it might have affected things. Two nil up and at home. Might we have been more complacent?

MITCHELL: It was a nervy night at Highbury four days later as York mounted a stern challenge.

The match remained goalless, leaving Alexander praising his goalkeeper and defence over the two legs.

"WE FOUGHT FOR ONE ANOTHER. IF IT WASNT MYSELF OF PONDY, BECAUSE THATWAS OUR JOB, IT WOULD BE OTHERS DOING THE SAME." ROBERTS: I remember it being backs to the wall towards the end. The last five or six minutes felt more like sixty, to be honest!

Bodies were put on the line but that is symptomatic of the characters that we had in the dressing room. We fought for one another.

If it wasn’t myself or Pondy, because that was our job, it would be others doing the

same. You are so close to Wembley and the experience of losing the Johnstone Paints Northern Final spurred us on. At full time I had one of my funniest moments in football.

I remember being at the far end with a sea of people running towards me.

It’s a surreal moment at the best of times but as I gathered myself the first person I saw when I turned round was my dad!

He’d actually sprinted from where he was watching!

He was the last person I expected to be there because, like me, he’s not renowned for his pace! It was a moment that I’ll treasure for the rest of my life!

MITCHELL: It was mission accomplished against Burton Albion at Wembley, an undoubted career highlight for Mark Roberts, ROBERTS: Having won the League Two play-offs on two separate occasions, the other with Stevenage in 2011 at Old Trafford, it’s like winning the league and the cup in one.

If you can get promotion like that, it’s definitely the best way!

To achieve my childhood dream at Wembley as captain of Fleetwood Town was a very special feeling.

I saw my family on the way up for the trophy and remember shaking Ted Lowery’s hand, then the Chairman’s. Wonderful memories.

Fleetwood Town Wanderers v Burnley Fleetwood Town v Wycombe

55

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DANGER MAN - ADEBAYO AKINFENWA SCORED 10 LEAGUE GOALS FOR WYCOMBE THIS SEASON

LAST TIME OUT - L 3-1 V DONCASTER ROVERS (29/02/20 | SKY BET LEAGUE ONE)

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Fleetwood TownNorth v Burnley Fleetwood Town v Preston End

77

CONORER’ McLAUGHLIN FEATURE GAFF S NOTES

CONOR McLAUGHLIN FEATURE GAF F ER’S NO T ES

MCLAUGHLIN: MY BEST SEASON AT FLEETWOOD WORDS: DAVID MITCHELL

"ASIDE FROM IT BEING A SUCCESSFUL SEASON, IT WAS PROBABLY MY FAVOURITE AT THE CLUB. I WILL ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL TO FLEETWOOD TOWN FOR RESTARTING MY CAREER AFTER PRESTON."

David Mitchell and Conor McLaughlin look back on the events that took place in the 2016/17 Sky Bet League One play-offs against Bradford City.

D

avid Mitchell chats with former Fleetwood Town and Northern Ireland international full back Conor McLaughlin about Fleetwood Town’s most recent play-off campaign.

DAVID MITCHELL: 2016-17 was Fleetwood Town’s third season in the Sky Bet League One. A 2-1 defeat at Port Vale on 12th November left Town 13th in the table. Tactical changes made deep into the First Round FA Cup replay against Southport three days later proved to have longer term benefit as Uwe Rosler’s side climbed the table through an eighteen-match unbeaten run.

CONOR McLAUGHLIN: We had a really good squad in terms of togetherness.

88

That long unbeaten run was unbelievable to be a part of. It was a pretty similar situation to where the club is at the minute.

There were a lot of tight games, 1-0 wins and clean sheets. We managed to get results through character and determination. We always battled to the end.

MITCHELL: Testimony to that is the number of late goals scored, a total of seven from the 88th minute onwards during that run, including Conor’s header in time added on at AFC Wimbledon.

McLAUGHLIN: I remember a number of the late goals really clearly. David Ball’s at home against Southend, Cian Bolger at

Coventry City, Amarii Bell at Charlton to get a draw.

One particular game to remember for me was Sheffield United away, when we won 2-0 against a side top of the table. I scored the first.

It’s crazy what can happen in football.

We went with a game plan, stuck to it and it was a performance that typified our squad that season.

We had players all through the side who could score goals.

MITCHELL: Four months after the run had started, Bolton Wanderers were the visitors to Highbury.

Town lay second, eyeing automatic promotion. Bolton won 4-2 and it was to

prove a pivotal point of the season. Despite still having to play ten more games the result changed the fortunes of both sides.

McLAUGHLIN: Bolton at home was hugely frustrating.

Even though we went on to beat Walsall away in the next game the Bolton game proved crucial come the end of the season.

We were punching above our weight a bit at the time when compared to the size of the clubs around us.

The result at Highbury gave them a bit of momentum and we were left trying to find a way back.

Come the end of the season, having done so well, we fell short of automatic promotion and it left us feeling a little deflated.

MITCHELL: Bolton Wanderers went up to the Championship on 86 points with Town fourth, four points behind.

They were paired with Bradford City in the play-offs, such a fine achievement after flirting with relegation only twelve months earlier.

McLAUGHLIN: We had still had a chance of automatic promotion on the last day at Port Vale, just four days earlier.

I remember that we made changes during the game, including me which was frustrating, but the coaches knew how the Bolton game was going and that we had to start thinking about the play-offs.

There were some tough teams in the semifinals.

We had played Millwall a few games before, got absolutely battered and won 1-0!

We would probably have preferred to play Scunthorpe United.

"WE HAD PLAYED MILLWALL A FEW GAMES BEFORE, GOT BATTERED AND STILL WON 1-0! WE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE PREFERRED TO PLAY SCUNTHORPE UNITED." Bradford City had a very good squad and going away first we knew that there’d be a big crowd behind them.

Bradford were able to make ten changes from the last day of the season so there was a

freshness about them. They had a mental and physical advantage.

Games against them are always tough during a normal season but in those circumstances it proved to be a very difficult challenge for us.

MITCHELL: A single goal, a strong header

by Bradford’s Rory McCardle from a corner after 77 minutes at Valley Parade, separated the sides over the two legs.

McLAUGHLIN: Set piece goals are just the worst way to concede in football.

I don’t think many players, me included, reached the heights we had during the season. Over the two legs Bradford were the better team.

At Highbury we didn’t get going. They worked out how to play against our shape which not many teams had.

Had we gone up to the Championship we might have been able to build on it and not lose some of the better players who left. It was a ‘What if..?’ situation.

I still think so looking back. I got one celebratory night in the hotel before I was off to play for Northern Ireland!

I think I made the right decision after hearing about the lads!

Aside from it being a successful season, it was probably my favourite at the club.

I will always be grateful to Fleetwood for restarting my career after Preston.

Fleetwood Town Wanderers v Burnley Fleetwood Town v Wycombe

99

GFIXTURES AFF ER’& SRESULTS NOTES Date

Results

Comp.

Opposition

KEY: GAMES HOME (BOLD) & AWAY (LIGHT) GOALSCORER 1 BOOKED

RED CARD

SUBSTITUTE ON/OFF

FIRST SUB SECOND SUB THIRD SUB

FIXTURES RESULTS GAF F ER’S& NO T ES

*FIXTURES UP TO DATE AS OF 20 DECEMBER 2019

Att.

Starting XI

P

W

D

L

F

A

+/-

Pts

PETERBOROUGH UNITED (A)

7,958

CAIRNS

COYLE

CLARKE

SOUTTAR 1

ANDREW 1

COUTTS (C)

ROSSITER

BIGGINS

BURNS

McALENY

MORRIS 1

MADDEN

HUNTER

SOWERBY

1

COVENTRY CITY

34

18

13

3

48

30

+18

67

SKY BET LEAGUE ONE TABLE 2019/20

Substitutes Used

AUGUST SAT 3

1-3

L1

SAT 10

2-1

L1

AFC WIMBLEDON (H)

2,684

CAIRNS

COYLE

CLARKE

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

COUTTS (C)

ROSSITER

BIGGINS

BURNS

McALENY

MORRIS 1

MADDEN 1

HUNTER

SOWERBY

2

ROTHERHAM UNITED

35

18

8

9

61

38

+23

62

TUE 13

1-0

CC R1

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (A)

7,432

CAIRNS

COYLE

CLARKE

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

COUTTS (C)

ROSSITER

BIGGINS

BURNS

MADDEN

HUNTER

MORRIS

McALENY

WALLACE

3

WYCOMBE WANDERERS

34

17

8

9

45

40

+5

59

SAT 17

3-2

L1

DONCASTER ROVERS (A)

6,740

CAIRNS

COYLE

CLARKE

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

COUTTS (C)

ROSSITER

SOWERBY

BURNS

McALENY 1

MORRIS

MADDEN 1

WALLACE

BIGGINS

4

OXFORD UNITED

35

17

9

9

61

37

+24

60

TUE 20

1-1

L1

WYCOMBE WANDERERS (H)

2,319

GILKS

COYLE

CLARKE

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

BURNS

COUTTS (C)

SOWERBY

MORRIS

MADDEN 1

McALENY

WALLACE

EASTHAM

HUNTER

5

PORTSMOUTH

35

17

9

9

53

36

+17

60

SAT 24

2-0

L1

ACCRINGTON STANLEY (H)

2,802

GILKS

COYLE

CLARKE

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

BURNS

COUTTS (C)

ROSSITER

MORRIS

MADDEN 1

HUNTER

EVANS 1

BIGGINS

WALLACE

6

SAT 31

2-0

L1

LINCOLN CITY (A)

8,361

GILKS

COYLE

CLARKE

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

COUTTS (C)

ROSSITER

BIGGINS

BURNS

MADDEN

MORRIS

EVANS

HUNTER

DEMPSEY

SEPTEMBER TUE 3

2-1

EFL T

ACCRINGTON STANLEY (A)

923

CAIRNS

COYLE

CLARKE

EASTHAM

ANDREW

DEMPSEY

ROSSITER

BIGGINS

BURNS

EVANS (C)

HUNTER

MORRIS

MADDEN 1

SAUNDERS

SAT 7

2-1

L1

OXFORD UNITED (H)

2,672

GILKS

COYLE

CLARKE 1

DUNNE

ANDREW

DEMPSEY

COUTTS (C)

ROSSITER

BURNS

MADDEN 1

MORRIS

EVANS

HUNTER

BIGGINS

SAT 14

3-3

L1

SOUTHEND UNITED (A)

5,236

GILKS

COYLE

CLARKE

DUNNE 1

ANDREW

DEMPSEY 1

COUTTS (C)

ROSSITER

BURNS

MADDEN

MORRIS 1

BIGGINS

EVANS

SOUTTAR

SAT 21

2-1

L1

ROCHDALE (H)

3,229

CAIRNS

COYLE

SOUTTAR

DUNNE

ANDREW 1

DEMPSEY

COUTTS (C)

ROSSITER

BURNS

EVANS 1

MORRIS

MADDEN

HUNTER

MOONEY

WED 25

(4) 1-1 (3)

EFL T

LIVERPOOL U21s (H)

882

GILKS

HOLGATE

CLARKE 1

EASTHAM

RYDEL

MOONEY

SOWERBY

SHERON

BAGGLEY

HUNTER

SAUNDERS

GARNER

S. MORRIS

MATETE

SAT 28

0-3

L1

SHREWSBURY TOWN (A)

5,888

CAIRNS

COYLE

SOUTTAR

DUNNE

ANDREW

DEMPSEY

COUTTS (C)

ROSSITER

BURNS

EVANS 1

MORRIS 1

MADDEN

HUNTER

CLARKE

OCTOBER SAT 5

0-1

L1

IPSWICH TOWN (H)

4,312

CAIRNS

COYLE

SOUTTAR

DUNNE

ANDREW

DEMPSEY

COUTTS (C)

ROSSITER

BURNS

EVANS

MORRIS 1

MADDEN

HUNTER

SAT 19

4-1

L1

BURTON ALBION (H)

3,098

CAIRNS

COYLE

SOUTTAR

DUNNE

ANDREW

DEMPSEY

COUTTS (C)

ROSSITER

BURNS

EVANS 1

MADDEN 3

MORRIS

HUNTER

SOUTHAM-HALES

WED 23

2-1

L1

COVENTRY CITY (A)

4,672

CAIRNS

COYLE (C)

SOUTTAR

DUNNE

ANDREW

DEMPSEY

ROSSITER

SOWERBY

MADDEN 1

EVANS

MORRIS

BURNS

HUNTER

McALENY

SAT 26

1-0

L1

MILTON KEYNES DONS (H)

2,722

CAIRNS

COYLE

SOUTTAR

DUNNE

ANDREW

DEMPSEY

COUTTS (C)

ROSSITER

BURNS

MADDEN

MORRIS

EVANS

HUNTER

McALENY

NOVEMBER BOLTON WANDERERS (A)

12,756

CAIRNS

COYLE

SOUTTAR

DUNNE

ANDREW

DEMPSEY

COUTTS (C)

ROSSITER

BURNS

EVANS

MADDEN

HUNTER

McALENY

MORRIS

BARNET (A)

1,100

CRELLIN

COYLE

EASTHAM

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

DEMPSEY

COUTTS (C)

ROSSITER

McALENY

EVANS 1

MORRIS

MADDEN

HUNTER 1

BURNS

535

CAIRNS

SOUTHAM-HALES

CLARKE (C) 1

DUNNE

ANDREW

DEMPSEY

ROSSITER

SOWERBY 1

BURNS 1

MADDEN 1

MORRIS 1

GARNER

MATETE

HAYES

3,811

CRELLIN

COYLE

EASTHAM

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

DEMPSEY

COUTTS (C)

ROSSITER

BURNS

MADDEN 1

MORRIS 1

HUNTER

EVANS

SOWERBY

CRELLIN

COYLE

CLARKE (C)

DUNNE

ANDREW 1

COUTTS (C) 1

SOWERBY

McALENY

BURNS 1

EVANS

HUNTER

MORRIS

DEMPSEY

MADDEN 1

SAT 2

2-1

L1

SUN 10

0-2

FAC R1

TUE 12

5-2

EFL T

OLDHAM ATHLETIC (H)

SAT 23

2-1

L1

TRANMERE ROVERS (H)

TUE 26

0-4

EFL T

EVERTON U21 (A)

624

DECEMBER

12

7

38

+13

7

PETERBOROUGH UNITED

35

17

8

10

68

40

+28

59

8

SUNDERLAND

FLEETWOOD TOWN

36

35

16

16

11

9

48

51

32

+16

59

60

9

DONCASTER ROVERS

34

15

9

10

51

33

+18

54

10

GILLINGHAM

35

12

15

8

42

34

+8

51

11

IPSWICH TOWN

36

14

10

12

46

36

+10

52

12

BURTON ALBION

35

12

12

11

50

50

+0

48

13

BLACKPOOL

35

11

12

12

44

43

+1

45

14

BRISTOL ROVERS

35

12

9

14

38

49

-11

45

15

SHREWSBURY TOWN

34

10

11

13

31

42

-11

41

16

LINCOLN CITY

35

12

6

17

44

46

-2

42

17

ACCRINGTON STANLEY

35

10

10

15

47

53

-6

40

18

ROCHDALE

34

10

6

18

39

57

-18

36

19

MILTON KEYNES DONS

35

10

7

18

36

47

-11

37

20

AFC WIMBLEDON

35

8

11

16

39

52

-13

35

21

TRANMERE ROVERS

34

8

8

18

36

60

-24

32

22

SOUTHEND UNITED

35

4

7

24

39

85

-46

19

23

BOLTON WANDERERS

34

5

11

18

27

66

-39

14

FLEETWOOD TOWN APPEARANCES & GOALSCORERS Total Apps (All Comps)

Total Goals (All Comps)

1

CAIRNS, ALEX

2019/20 Apps 2019/20 Goals (All Comps) (All Comps)

30 (0)

0

160 (1)

0

2

COYLE, LEWIE

40 (1)

1

131 (3)

1 4

SUN 1

1-2

FAC R2

CRAWLEY TOWN (A)

2,000

CRELLIN

COYLE

EASTHAM

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

DEMPSEY

COUTTS (C)

SOWERBY

BURNS

EVANS 1

MORRIS 1

MADDEN

GARNER

3

ANDREW, DANNY

43 (0)

4

58 (3)

SAT 7

3-1

L1

BLACKPOOL (A)

10,355

CRELLIN

COYLE

EASTHAM

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

DEMPSEY

COUTTS (C)

SOWERBY

BURNS

MADDEN

MORRIS

EVANS

McALENY 1

4

CONNOLLY, CALLUM

13 (0)

2

13 (0)

SAT 14

1-1

L1

GILLINGHAM (H)

2,468

CRELLIN

COYLE

CLARKE

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

BURNS

DEMPSEY

SOWERBY

MORRIS

EVANS (C)

MADDEN 1

SAUNDERS

6

SOUTTAR, HARRY

38 (1)

2

49 (1)

3

7

BURNS, WES

37 (4)

4

109 (40)

22

8

DEMPSEY, KYLE

24 (4)

2

125 (19)

6

SAT 21

2-2

L1

ROTHERHAM UNITED (A)

7,883

CRELLIN

COYLE

CLARKE

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

DEMPSEY

COUTTS (C)

SOWERBY

BURNS

EVANS 2

MADDEN

EASTHAM

MORRIS

THU 26

2-3

L1

ROCHDALE (A)

3,167

CRELLIN

COYLE

EASTHAM

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

COUTTS (C)

BIGGINS

SOWERBY

MADDEN 1

EVANS

MORRIS

BURNS 1

DEMPSEY 1

SUN 29

0-0

L1

BRISTOL ROVERS (H)

2,848

CAIRNS

COYLE

CLARKE

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

BURNS

DEMPSEY

COUTTS (C)

MORRIS

EVANS

MADDEN

McALENY

McALENY

JANUARY WED 1

1-1

L1

2

9

EVANS, CHED

24 (9)

10

63 (11)

28

11

MORRIS, JOSH

28 (13)

10

87 (18)

19

12

WHELAN, GLENN

11 (0)

0

11 (0)

0

6 (0)

0

6 (0)

0

SUNDERLAND (H)

4,011

CAIRNS

COYLE

EASTHAM

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

BURNS

DEMPSEY

COUTTS (C)

MORRIS

EVANS 1

MADDEN

SOWERBY

SAUNDERS

BIGGINS

13

GILKS, MATT

SAT 4

1-2

FAC R3

PORTSMOUTH (H)

2,145

CAIRNS

COYLE

EASTHAM

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

DEMPSEY

COUTTS (C)

MORRIS

BURNS

EVANS

MADDEN

SOWERBY

SAUNDERS

McALENY 1

15

COUTTS, PAUL

TUE 7

(3) 2-2 (5)

EFL T

ACCRINGTON STANLEY (H)

548

CAIRNS

SOUTHAM-HALES

EASTHAM (C)

SOUTTAR

ANDREW 1

BIGGINS

SOWERBY

MATETE

MORRIS 1

McALENY

SAUNDERS

DEMPSEY

COYLE

MADDEN

16

ROSSITER, JORDAN

19 (0)

0

19 (0)

0

SAT 11

1-0

L1

BURTON ALBION (A)

2,354

CAIRNS

COYLE

EASTHAM

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

CONNOLLY

DEMPSEY

COUTTS (C)

BURNS

EVANS

MORRIS

SOWERBY

MADDEN

McALENY

17

MADDEN, PADDY

28 (15)

19

87 (25)

44

SAT 18

2-2

L1

SHREWSBURY TOWN (H)

2,797

CAIRNS

COYLE 1

CONNOLLY

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

DEMPSEY

COUTTS (C)

SOWERBY

BURNS

EVANS

MADDEN

MORRIS 1

19

GIBSON, LEWIS

9 (0)

0

9 (0)

0

SAT 25

0-0

L1

BRISTOL ROVERS (A)

6,469

CAIRNS

COYLE

CONNOLLY

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

DEMPSEY

WHELAN

SOWERBY

BURNS

EVANS (C)

MADDEN

MORRIS

COUTTS

EASTHAM

21

McKAY, BARRIE

7 (1)

2

7 (1)

2

TUE 28

0-0

L1

COVENTRY CITY (H)

2,506

CAIRNS

COYLE

CONNOLLY

SOUTTAR

ANDREW

DEMPSEY

WHELAN

BIGGINS

SOWERBY

EVANS (C)

MADDEN

MORRIS

McALENY

EASTHAM

24

THORVALDSSON, ISAK

0 (2)

0

0 (2)

0

25

MARNEY, DEAN

0 (0)

0

17 (2)

1

27

BIGGINS, HARRISON

8 (5)

0

25 (29)

1 8

FEBRUARY

33 (4)

1

33 (4)

1

SAT 1

2-1

L1

DONCASTER ROVERS (H)

3,008

CAIRNS

COYLE

CONNOLLY

SOUTTAR 1

GIBSON

ANDREW

WHELAN

SOWERBY

BURNS

EVANS (C) 1

MORRIS

COUTTS

MADDEN

SAUNDERS

28

SOWERBY, JACK

18 (12)

1

61 (35)

SAT 8

1-2

L1

AFC WIMBLEDON (A)

4.097

CAIRNS

COYLE

CONNOLLY

SOUTTAR

GIBSON

ANDREW

WHELAN

SOWERBY

BURNS

EVANS (C)

MORRIS

McKAY

MADDEN 1

COUTTS

30

BAGGLEY, BARRY

1 (0)

0

1 (3)

0

TUE 11

0-1

L1

WYCOMBE WANDERERS (A)

3,286

CAIRNS

BURNS

CONNOLLY

SOUTTAR

GIBSON

ANDREW

WHELAN

COUTTS (C)

McKAY

EVANS

MADDEN 1

SAUNDERS

SOWERBY

31

CRELLIN, BILLY

8 (0)

0

9 (0)

0

SAT 15

2-1

L1

PETERBOROUGH UNITED (H)

2,801

CAIRNS

COYLE

CONNOLLY 1

SOUTTAR

GIBSON

ANDREW

WHELAN

COUTTS (C)

BURNS 1

MADDEN

McKAY

SOWERBY

MORRIS

THORVALDSSON

32

SAUNDERS, HARVEY

2 (8)

0

2 (8)

0

SAT 22

1-0

L1

PORTSMOUTH (H)

3,370

CAIRNS

COYLE

CONNOLLY 1

SOUTTAR

GIBSON

ANDREW

WHELAN

COUTTS (C)

BURNS

MADDEN

McKAY

MORRIS

SOWERBY

SAUNDERS

TUE 25

1-1

L1

SUNDERLAND (A)

28,255

CAIRNS

COYLE

CONNOLLY

SOUTTAR

GIBSON

ANDREW

WHELAN

COUTTS (C)

BURNS

MADDEN

McKAY 1

MORRIS

SOWERBY

SAUNDERS

TUE 3

0-1

L1

IPSWICH TOWN (A)

15,678

CAIRNS

COYLE

CONNOLLY

SOUTTAR

GIBSON

ANDREW

WHELAN

COUTTS (C)

BURNS

MADDEN

McKAY

EVANS 1

SOWERBY

THORVALDSSON

MARCH SAT 7

0-0

L1

BLACKPOOL (H)

4,884

CAIRNS

COYLE

CONNOLLY

SOUTTAR

GIBSON

ANDREW

WHELAN

COUTTS (C)

BURNS

MADDEN

McKAY

EVANS

MORRIS

SOWERBY

TUE 10

2-2

L1

PORTSMOUTH (A)

16,775

CAIRNS

COYLE

CONNOLLY

SOUTTAR 1

GIBSON

ANDREW

WHELAN

SOWERBY

MORRIS

EVANS (C)

McKAY 1

BURNS

COUTTS

MADDEN

FRI 3

-

L1 P/0

WYCOMBE WANDERERS (H)

-

MON 6

-

L1 P/0

WYCOMBE WANDERERS (A)

-

MON 13

-

L1 P/0

PLAY-OFF FINAL (N)

-

HILL, JAMES

0 (0)

0

1 (2)

0

GARNER, GED

0 (3)

0

1 (6)

1

35

RYDEL, RYAN

1 (0)

0

4 (4)

0

36

MATETE, JAY

1 (2)

0

1 (2)

0

41

HOLGATE, HARRISON

1 (0)

0

1 (0)

0

LAST RESULT

JULY

2-2

SIGN UP TO FLEETWOOD TOWN'S 10 10

33 34

IFOLLOW TODAY!

SKY BET LEAGUE ONE TUESDAY 10 MARCH 2020 FRATTON PARK PORTSMOUTH GOALS: RAGGETT (36’), SOUTTAR (48’ 0G) FLEETWOOD GOAL: McKAY (19’), SOUTTAR (55’)

Fleetwood Town Wanderers v Burnley Fleetwood Town v Wycombe

11 11

JAMIE ER’ McGUIRE FEATURE GAFF S NOTES

JAMIE FMcGUIRE FEATURE GAF ER’S NO T ES

JAMIE McGUIRE RECALLS

WIMBLEDON WOES WORDS: DAVID MITCHELL

"I'M SURE THE CHAIRMAN WOULD HAVE SETTLED THAT NIGHT AT WIMBLEDON FOR A YEAR. THERE'S NO BETTER FEELING THAN GOING UP AS CHAMPIONS."

David Mitchell caught up with former midfielder Jamie McGuire and spoke to him about his memories of the 2010/11 Conference play-offs.

D

avid Mitchell and former Fleetwood Town midfielder Jamie McGuire recall the Conference semi-final against AFC Wimbledon in 2011.

DAVID MITCHELL: Fleetwood Town almost snatched an away victory at Rushden & Diamonds on their Conference debut in August 2010.

It was a promising start but many stiff tests lay ahead and only the most optimistic would have seriously expected Micky Mellon’s men to reach the play-offs at that early stage.

However, seven wins by the end of September gave the Cod Army belief that their side could make an impact at the top of non-league football.

12 12

The greatest triumph came in February, a 3-1 win at Luton Town in front of 6227 spectators. Town were handily placed at fifth in the table at that stage.

Six out of the last seven games were against teams in the bottom half but Town’s recent track record against such teams had not been impressive.

However, five successive victories kept up the pressure on those around them and as others, notably Kidderminster, fell away, Fleetwood had a chance to reach a second successive play-off semi-final by beating Barrow at home in the penultimate game.

A Magno Vieira goal was the difference between the sides and Town had defied many expectations by finishing fifth on 78

points, six points clear of Kidderminster who had been docked five points for misleading financial information.

Assistant Manager Craig Madden was adamant that his side deserved their playoff place saying that ‘we were there on merit. We had won our games.’

Town prepared for a home leg against second-place AFC Wimbledon.

Highbury was packed but hopes were dampened as the visitors went back to London with a two-goal advantage.

JAMIE McGUIRE: The home game was a test because we’d been on a big run to get into the play-offs and we didn’t fulfil our potential on the night. We had chances, don’t get me wrong.

I remember Magno Vieira having some opportunities. We could have won that game 3-0, instead we lost 2-0.

Wimbledon were far more organised and ruthless. The season caught up with us and we lost.

MITCHELL: In the second leg, Fleetwood’s best chance was to score early and unsettle the home crowd.

Plans went awry within a minute, when Kai Mohamed scored the first of his hat trick on the night.

McGUIRE: Wimbledon would have discussed targetting Steve McNulty and Sean Gregan at the back.

They knew that Macca could read the game really well and that Danny Kedwell didn’t want to go against him.

He placed himself against Gregan where he had the run of coming off him.

In the first minute they placed a ball over the top. Gregan was turned and got under himself.

He should have kicked it out of play, but Mohamed got in and scored. That killed the tie.

MITCHELL: Things went from bad to worse as Wimbledon ran out 6-1 winners on the night.

McGUIRE: The score line speaks for itself, but we had created plenty of our own chances again.

Sedds had a couple of one on one’s and it probably could have ended up 6-4, never mind 6-1.

" I HONESTLY BELIEVE HAD WE GONE THROUGH TO THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE IN 2011 IT MAY HAVE BEEN TOO EARLY. WE WOULDN'T HAVE HAD THE PLAYERS WE HAD IN THAT TITLE-WINNING SEASON." MITCHELL: Despite a humbling result, greater good came from that evening at Kingsmeadow.

McGUIRE: We’d only been full time for a season, so it was a great achievement to get

to the play-offs. There were some big teams who had been together for four or five years.

There was a real resolve that we were going to win the league next time round, whoever was put in front of us.

MITCHELL: A desire emerged from that dressing room and it is arguable that the seeds for the next season’s success were sown there.

McGUIRE: Micky knew what he wanted but he also asked the senior players like myself what we felt was needed to strengthen the team. I have to say that, or me that was good man management.

We restructured the coaching staff and got more strength conditioning into the programme.

We became fitter and stronger, and personally, I felt a million dollars in that titlewinning season.

I honestly believe had we gone through to the Football League in 2011 it may well have been too early.

We wouldn’t have had the players we had in that title-winning season like Jamie Vardy, Andy Mangan and Lee Fowler.

I’m sure the Chairman would have settled that night at Wimbledon for a delay of a year.

Playing Blackpool in the FA Cup Third Round and winning the title.

There’s no better feeling than going up as champions!

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13 13

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GAF F ER’S ACADEMY NO T ES

ACADEMY UPDATE WITH CIARAN DONNELLY A

cademy Manager Ciaran Donnelly spoke to the club and gave his views on how the academy, as a whole, has developed over the last 12 months, whilst also talking about some key milestones reached. Here is what he said.

I can say with some confidence that the under 18s this season are probably the best in the country at our category level.

This is an excellent achievement for all the players and staff involved in the academy considering where we were only three years ago.

It was really disappointing to see the academy season cancelled due to the current pandemic although we understand why.

However, it would have been great for the players to have finished the season, as they were top of the Youth Alliance table and looked like they would carry that form through until the end, but, unfortunately, it just wasn’t meant to be.

We are happy to announce that James Hill, Barry Baggley, Shayden Morris, Dylan Boyle and Carl Johnston - all members of this years Under 18s group - have all been offered professional deals at the club and will now be part of Stephen Crainey’s under 23 squad for next season.

That group of Under 18s have done brilliantly this year outside the league as well.

I have to say well done to them for reaching the Fourth Round of the FA Youth Cup, beating Premier League side Watford at Highbury and making history along the way.

The players gave everything in their Fourth Round tie, which was against Millwall at The Den back in January, and they almost did the job yet again.

Taking the lead at a stadium like that would have been a moment they will remember for the rest of their lives. We hope that they learnt some really valuable lessons from it.

Below the under 18s, we have also seen the emergence of a lot of talent. It is an exciting time for all at the club. Considering the thought and planning that goes into

16

managing the pathway and opportunities for our young players, I am very confident that this academy is a great place for young players with talent and opportunities will come there way in the future.

We had a great pre-season trip to Madrid this season which was a personal highlight seeing Fleetwood Town coming up against the likes of Atletico Madrid.

Again, this shows how far we have come and what exciting times lay ahead for the club with the talent coming through.

Within the schoolboy age groups of the academy, we have to acknowledge the great achievement from the under 15 age group this season.

We registered for the floodlit cup at the start of the season and this has led to some excellent fixtures against opposition we would not normally play and also gives the under 15 age group some competitive experience.

Watching them beat Barnsley in the Northern Final back in February at Poolfoot was a joy to see.

We are just really disappointed that they were not able to go and play in the National Final of the competition against Nottingham Forest due to the current pandemic we are all facing.

The foundation phase has had a really positive season with all age groups performing at a really high standard and the players playing with smiles on their faces is what we love to see.

We have done really well with our preacademy programme for under 7s and 8s over the last couple of seasons and we are really starting to see the benefit of that with some excellent locally based players signed with the club.

Obviously, right now is a frustrating time for all the players and staff and I thank everyone for their patience. One thing I can guarantee is that all of the staff are eager to get back and we are determined to make things even better that they already are. We know the players will have this hunger too and that can only lead to some great success next season for the academy.

I’d like to thank all of the academy staff for the work they have put in this season and I know we have a great environment for our young players so we will look forward to next season with lots of optimism. As a group, we will set ourselves the challenge of taking this academy and club forward as we countinue to look for, and produce, some brilliant home grown players for future of Fleetwood Town.

Fleetwood Town v Wycombe Fleetwood TownWanderers v Burnley

17

Everyone loses when you step on the track

Fleetwood Town want our fans, families and friends to stay safe, so we are supporting the You Vs Train campaign. We are sharing the message that young people need to stay off the tracks.

8 young people have died in the last two years after trespassing on the railway. PLEASE don’t be next.

Visit youvstrain.co.uk for more information and help us keep our fans safe.

18

Fleetwood Town v Burnley

19

MATCH OFFICIALS

FLEETWOOD TOWN HEAD COACH: JOEY BARTON Alex CAIRNS Lewie COYLE Danny ANDREW Callum CONNOLLY Harry SOUTTAR Wes BURNS Kyle DEMPSEY Ched EVANS Josh MORRIS Glenn WHELAN Matt GILKS Paul COUTTS Jordan ROSSITER Paddy MADDEN Lewis GIBSON Barrie McKAY Isak THORVALDSSON Dean MARNEY Harrison BIGGINS Jack SOWERBY Barry BAGGLEY Billy CRELLIN Harvey SAUNDERS James HILL Gerard GARNER Ryan RYDEL Jay MATETE Harrison HOLGATE

1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 15 16 17 19 21 24 25 27 28 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 41

REFEREE Tony Harrington

ASSISTANT REFEREES Paul Hodskinson Philip Dermott

FOURTH OFFICIAL Geoff Eltringham

NEXT FIXTURE

WYCOMBE WANDERERS

Monday 6 July 2020 | 7:30pm Sky Bet League One Play-Offs Semi-Finals

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If so, contact Commercial Manager Joe Fleetwood by either ringing him on 01253 775080 (option two) or emailing commercial@fleetwoodtownfc.com

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WYCOMBE WANDERERS MANAGER: GARETH AINSWORTH 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 10 11 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 31

Ryan ALLSOP Sido COELHO JOMBATI Joe JACOBSON Dominic GAPE Anthony STEWART David WHEELER Alex PATTISON Matt BLOOMFIELD Scott KASHKET Cameron YATES Jamie MASCOLL Giles PHILLIPS Paul SMYTH Curtis THOMPSON Jack GRIMMER Adebayo AKINFENWA Wesley CHARLES Nick FREEMAN Fred ONYEDINMA Jacob GARDINER-SMITH Alex SAMUEL Jason McCARTHY Josh PARKER Nnamdi OFOBORH David STOCKDALE