ISSUE #3
MARCH 19
A KICK IN THE PAST
FLEETWOOD TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB OFFICIAL FORMER PLAYERS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
LATEST NEWS CATCH UP ON THE LATEST FLEETWOOD TOWN FPA UPDATES
Birthdays We have some birthdays in the next few months: MARCH: Tom Scott (74 on 1st), Steve Macauley (50 on 4th), Harvey Morley (78 on 6th), Dean McGinley (44 on 7th), Mark Scott (66 on 13th), Les Ingham (74 on 17th), Roy Whitehouse (64 on 18th), Fred Willder (75 on 20th), Colin Monks (68 on 24th), Malcolm Beech (69 on 26th), Tony Mudie (64 on 27th). APRIL: Phil Thompson (38 on 1st), Kevin Byrne (70 on 9th), Dave Beech (65 on 13th), Brian Wilson (62 on 14th), Frank Bowker (76 on 15th), Dave Barnes (64 on 16th), Dave Wassall (76 on 18th), John Hills (41 on 21st). MAY: Andy Haddock (73 on 5th), Keith Bowey (59 on 9th), Steve Holden (56 on 10th), Steve Hesford (65 on 12th), Brian Newman (73 on 14th), Gareth Seddon (39 on 23rd), Red Smallbone (72 on 29th).
Home match tickets Throughout the current season, Fleetwood Town has again kindly agreed to offer complimentary tickets for home matches to members of the Former Players Association. This is subject to availability and to a maximum of two tickets per member, one of which should be used by the FPA member (please don’t get them for somebody else to use or to sell in the pub before the game!). The club has also kindly agreed to offer prematch and half time hospitality to FPA members in the Red & Whites lounge (again subject to availability). Members should wear their official lapel badges to gain entry. If any FPA member requires match tickets for any game, please contact Phil Brown ahead of the game by phone/text on 07976 054398 or by email to phil. brown@besutilities.co.uk. It’s great to see so many of our former players enjoying the match day experience at Highbury Stadium.
New members Membership of the Former Players Association has now reached three figures and it’s wonderful see around half of the total membership regularly attending the monthly meetings at Poolfoot. We’re keen however to increase our membership still further so if you know anybody who has played for any of Fleetwood FC, Fleetwood Town or Fleetwood Freeport, please spread the word. It’s completely free of charge and apart from the host of benefits that membership brings, it’s mainly just a great opportunity to renew acquaintances with old team mates and to share memories of your playing days. Monthly meetings are held at the club’s Poolfoot Farm training complex on Butts Road, Thornton on the first Thursday of each month at 10.00am. Just turn up, tell us who you are and we’ll do the rest.
Website The Former Players Association has its own area on the club’s official website www.fleetwoodtownfccom. Just click on the ‘Club’ icon at the top of the home page and then ‘Former Players Association’ from the drop down list to access lots of FPA content including accounts of past meetings and the famous former players’ interviews!
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the final third a gallery of images from the last three months of meetings
IN MEMORIUM : February saw an England shirt which once belonged to England left – back and Manchester United captain Roger Byrne shown to the group. Tony Mudie owns the shirt which his Dad, Jackie, swopped with Roger after the England versus Scotland game in April 1957.
60 SECOND SILENCE : Members held a one minute silence for the late Jim Strachan at the January meeting.
A BIT MORE THAN SUNDAY BRUNCH : At a busy December meeting, the former players sat down to a delicious Christmas dinner. FLEETWOOD TOWN FORMER PLAYERS ASSOCIATION
NEVER STOP PLAYING : Rob Thomas displayed his musical skills at the December meeting.
SPECIAL LETTER : FPA Vice Chairman, Phil Brown, read out a thank you letter from Jim Strachan’s wife, Gina, back in February.
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SEDDON SAYS TIME AT TOWN WAS UNFORGETtABLE WORDS: PAUL COLLIER
Gareth Seddon secured his place in the history books at Highbury Stadium after being a key part of the team which took Town into the Football League.
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ext month will mark the seventh anniversary of Fleetwood Town being promoted to the English Football League. It remains a remarkable achievement for a small place with a modest population of fewer than 30,000 residents. One of the players who was instrumental in helping the club to gain its historic promotion is FPA member and former Cod Army striker, Gareth Seddon. Fourteen months shy of his 40th Birthday, Gareth looks trim enough to still be playing and scoring goals. His thoughts though return to that wonderful promotion charge of 2011/12. “The season before we had lost in the play-off semi-final in a heavy two legged 8–1 defeat to Wimbledon. The following campaign we had a really good pre-season. Micky (Mellon) took us to Austria and it was really
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intense (in terms of training). I started the season, and I know the rest of the lads felt the same, that we were the fittest that we had ever been. “I felt that like Micky and the club had just stepped it up a little bit more. They had realised where we were short the season before and they stepped up not only the fitness but the calibre of players. “We started the season pretty well but after about a month we realised we weren’t scoring enough goals. I remember, I think I was suspended, when I heard that we had just spent 100 grand on a lad from Halifax. “I was thinking who’s paid a 100 grand for this lad? I remember he came on as sub and he was the skinniest lightest player but as soon as he started to run he was rapid. “I will be honest with you that I didn’t think he would be the answer
just watching him because he didn’t necessarily have a lot of skill, he didn’t necessarily have a chance on goal, he was just speed. “He was chasing everybody down, his energy was unbelievable but obviously very quickly during training and during the games we realised all about his finishing. “Obviously, I am talking about Jamie Vardy. As soon as he came in and started to score the goals I think everybody got the belief that we can win the league here.” Whilst Jamie Vardy’s 31 league goals were instrumental in firing the Cod Army onto the terrain of the Football League, other fellow forwards contributed to the team’s cause. Andrew Mangan netted 19 times, Richard Brodie and Magno Vieira scored nine goals each and Gareth himself found the back of the
FLEETWOOD TOWN FORMER PLAYERS ASSOCIATION
net on eight occasions. Amazingly, Fleetwood Town amassed 102 goals in their Conference winning season and accumulated an incredible 103 points. Gareth recalled the comradery among his team mates. “When you speak to Micky Mellon he says it is the closest squad which that he has ever had. This might sound a bit weird but we were like the crazy gang at Wimbledon. We had massive characters in the club but everyone got on and it was just enjoyment every day. “There were fierce arguments as in 100% attitude in training and towards the games and if anybody wasn’t pulling their weight they got told but it was like a best mate telling a best mate. They could fall out but within a minute or five minutes you were back mates again. “I think everyone realised what Micky was doing and we all bought into it that it could be a special season. We all saw where Fleetwood wanted to be in four or five years’ time and we were the start of it. Some of the stuff we used to do, it was nonstop banter every day and playing
tricks on each other. Every single trick you could think of we were doing it with each other. “We would come out of training and people were being flowered and egged. “You were going back to your car and it was cling film wrapped. We were even playing tricks on the manager but he bought into it because he loved that team spirit. “It took the pressure off when we were fighting for the top of the league or when we were at the top of the league because everyone was gunning for us but as a collective we were just enjoying each other’s company. We were enjoying training, enjoying winning and enjoying beating everybody. After the euphoria of the Conference league title being secured it was time for Gareth to move on after three years at Highbury Stadium. His departure though came with considerable reluctance as he explained. “I was gutted (to leave). A few years before I had a blood disease, I was playing in League One (with Bury)
and was playing really well and was all up for a big move. I was told I wouldn’t play football again, got paid off and went into retirement.” After three years out of the game Gareth subsequently returned to playing and appeared for several nonleague sides before joining Fleetwood Town in 2009. The terms and conditions of Gareth’s pay off though prevented him from returning to play in league football as he remembered. “When Fleetwood won the league to go into League Two, I either then had to give all my retirement money back or look for another non-league side. I had a discussion with Andy Pilley (Chairman) and to be fair to Andy he said ‘Look we really want to keep you on if you want us to pay the money back on your behalf.’ “It was a big chunk of money and I might have been 32 or 33 and I said to Andy that I don’t expect the club to pay that back because I am probably going to be one season with you. We had the discussion and I said it was fine, I have loved my time here and I am happy to move on.”
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LOOKING BACK: NPL CHALLENGE CUP WORDS: PHIL BROWN
In this feature, we take a step back to look at the Fleetwood team that came out on top and won the Northern Premier League Challenge Cup in 1970/71.
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leetwood were founder members of the new Northern Premier League in season 1968/69 and in only their third season of membership reached the final of the league’s cup competition, the Northern Premier League Challenge Cup. The Preliminary Round started as early as August 1970 when a 1-0 away win at Lancaster City earned a first Round home tie against Morecambe, a game Fleetwood won convincingly by 4-1 courtesy of goals from McManus (2), Bowker and Ollerton.
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The Quarter Final draw saw Fleetwood entertain Bradford Park Avenue who were in their first season in the NPL after being voted out of the Football League at the end of the previous season. Goals from Bowker, Ollerton and Hallam saw the home side safely through to the semi-finals with a 3-1 victory. The Semi-Final was a two legged affair against the mighty Wigan Athletic and a 1st leg Springfield Park crowd of 3,298 saw Fleetwood earn an unexpected 1-1 draw against that season’s eventual league champions,
Peter Ollerton again the scorer with a cheeky back-healed goal. Just 3 weeks earlier, Wigan had given Manchester City a huge fright in the FA Cup Third Round at Maine Road, losing by the only goal. The second leg at Highbury attracted a 2,500 attendance and those assembled witnessed an astonishing first half Fleetwood display. An early David Cooke penalty and a brace from Frank Bowker saw the home side race into a 3-0 half time lead.
A further Cooke second half penalty helped Fleetwood to an eventual 4-2 victory (5-3 on aggregate) and a two-legged final against another of the league’s big hitters, Macclesfield Town. Fleetwood had home advantage in the 1st leg of the final and a slightly disappointing crowd of 1,374 saw the visitors take an early lead which was quickly cancelled out by Brian McManus. There were no further goals and a 1-1 draw made Macclesfield clear favourites in the second leg just two days later at their ground, which is called Moss Rose. Fleetwood fought a terrific rearguard action however in holding the hosts to a goalless draw with goalkeeper Stuart Murdoch being outstanding behind the dogged defence. That took the final to a third and deciding game played at Springfield Park, Wigan on 7th May 1971 where
1,382 spectators saw another inspired Fleetwood performance. Keeper Murdoch was again magnificent and Tony Hallam scored the only goal of the game converting an inch-perfect Harvey Morley through ball. There was elation at the final whistle as Fleetwood lifted the trophy and whilst the players partied into the night, there was the small matter of that season’s final league game to play, incredibly scheduled for the following morning at Highbury against Boston United! The visitors 3-0 win was hardly a surprise given that 9 players from the night before were in the starting eleven. The Fleetwood team which played in the decisive replay was : Murdoch*, Reece (Bowker*), Cooke, Byrne*, Kendrick*, McNicholas*, Armstrong, McManus*, Morley*, Willder* & Hallam. (*Former Player Association member)
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Footnote : Fleetwood Town won the same trophy in the 2006-07 season, beating Matlock Town 1-0 at Witton Albion’s Wincham Park ground. Club record appearance holder Nathan Pond scored the only goal of the game. IMAGE CAPTIONS Image 1 : The Fleetwood squad parade the trophy before the Boston United game played the day after the final replay. (L-R : Johnny Johnston, Fleetwood supporter, Kevin Byrne, Derek Bilsborough, John McNicholas, Harvey Morley, Fred Willder, Derek Armstrong (with trophy), Frank Bowker, Brian McManus, Stewart Murdoch, Tony Hallam, Ken Moran. Image 2 : The squad photo from the 1970/71 season. Back : (L-R) : David Cooke, Dave Reece, Phil Kendrick, Stuart Murdoch, John McNicholas, Tony Hallam, Peter Bell. Front (L-R) : Harvey Morley, Brian McManus, Derek Armstrong, Kevin Byrne, Fred Willder.
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MEMORABLE MATCH GEORGE McINTYRE'S MOST MEMORABLE MATCH FROM HIS CAREER
FLEETWOOD 3 MORECAMBE O LANCASHIRE COMBINATION LEAGUE 5TH NOVEMBER 1955 Fleetwood’s team that day: Perkes, Dougall, Bellwood, Chilvers, Ainscough (captain), Buckley, Ronson, Bagwell, McIntyre, Haydock, Makin. Fleetwood’s goalscorers: McIntyre (3) George McIntyre played 309 first team matches for Fleetwood between 1953–1961. The match he remembers most from his long Highbury career was against local rivals Morecambe when he produced fireworks on Guy Fawkes Day 5th November 1955 at Highbury in a Lancashire Combination fixture. Due to injuries, regular left back George was pressed into action as an emergency centre forward that day with dramatic effect, scoring a hat trick in his side’s 3-0 victory. He made a few further appearances up front that season 1955-56 when required and consequently enjoyed his more fruitful goalscoring season, notching 10 of his 20 Fleetwood career goals before reverting to his more familiar position in defence for the remainder of his time at the club. Now a sprightly 87 year old, Freckleton resident George is a regular FPA meeting attendee. Prior to joining Fleetwood, he played for Cupar Angus and Kilmarnock in his native Scotland before joining Blackpool. He finished his football career at Lytham and Great Harwood after leaving Fleetwood. His Fleetwood career statistics are as follows : 1953-54 Lancashire Combination - 18 appearances - 3 goals | 1954-55 Lancashire Combination - 46 appearances - 1 goal | 1955-56 Lancashire Combination - 35 appearances - 10 goals | 1956-57 Lancashire Combination - 44 appearances - 3 goals | 1957-58 Lancashire Combination - 44 appearances - 1 goal | 195859 Lancashire Combination - 39 appearances - 0 goals | 1959-60 Lancashire Combination - 42 appearances - 0 goals | 1960-61 Lancashire Combination - 39 appearances - 2 goals Image (attached): Match action from Fleetwood v Morecambe 1955-56 season. The Morecambe keeper collects the ball in spite of attention from Fleetwood inside forward Ronnie Bagwell. Note the large cinder bank on the park side of the stadium, a remnant from the days when speedway shared Highbury with the football club a few years earlier.
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FLEETWOOD TOWN FORMER PLAYERS ASSOCIATION
BA CK I N THE D AY a gallery of RETRO IMAGES FROM DECADES GONE BY
Pre-season 1965-66 - Frank Bowker (4th from left), Bennie Andrew (5th from left), Gordon Griffith (2nd from right) and Jim Strachan (far right).
Dave Barnes receives an award from Vice Chairman Reg Apperley and club captain Mike Strachan in recognition of his 100th goal for Fleetwood Town in 1988.
Captain Gordon Griffith leads the Fleetwood team out against Rochdale, FA Cup 1st Round November 1965.
Andy Haddock during his playing days.
Fleetwood FC May 1960 before Jack Ainscough’s testimonial - Don Gair (back row, 2nd from left), George McIntyre (back row, 2nd from right) and Malcolm Denning (front row, 2nd from left).
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Jim Strachan 1938-2018 The passing of Jim Strachan on 19th December 2018 was a source of great sadness to everybody who knew him. Jim made his Fleetwood debut in October 1955 as a 16 year old against Wigan Athletic in the Lancashire Combination and went on to play 409 first team games for his home town club, scoring 111 goals. His final game for Fleetwood was at Morecambe in the Lancashire Junior Cup in January 1970. Only Nathan Pond, Jack Ainscough and Percy Ronson have played more games for Fleetwood. Jim’s long period of service with Fleetwood saw him play with many members of our Former Players Association and he was a proud member of the Association, attending meetings regularly until he became ill. Jim will be remembered by his former team mates as a quiet man, a good and loyal friend but most of all as an exceptional footballer. Jim will be sadly missed by everybody who knew him and the thoughts of us all are with his wife Gina, his sons Jimmy and Michael and all his family at such a difficult time. His Fleetwood career statistics are as follows: 1955-56 Lancashire Combination - 1 appearance - 0 goals | 1957-58 Lancashire Combination - 18 appearances - 5 goal | 1958-59 Lancashire Combination - 4 appearances - 1 goal | 1959-60 Lancashire Combination - 27 appearances - 7 goals | 1960-61 Lancashire Combination - 41 appearances - 9 goals | 1961-62 Lancashire Combination - 42 appearances - 11 goals | 1962-63 Lancashire Combination - 37 appearances - 11 goals | 1963-64 Lancashire Combination - 43 appearances - 7 goals | 1964-65 Lancashire Combination - 43 appearances - 9 goals | 1965-66 Lancashire Combination - 52 appearances - 25 goals | 1966-67 Lancashire Combination - 38 appearances - 12 goals | 1967-68 Lancashire Combination - 43 appearances - 10 goals | 1968-69 Northern Premier League - 18 appearances - 4 goals | 1969-70 Northern Premier League - 2 appearances - 0 goals. TOTAL STATS for Fleetwood: 409 appearances - 111 goals.
FTFC FPA MEMBERS A LIST OF NEW MEMBERS OF THE FLEETWOOD TOWN FPA SINCE ISSUE 2 Steve Edwards - Years playing for Town (1985-1992), Bobby Grant - Years playing for Town (2014,2015-2018), Bob Harris - Years playing for Town (2016), Colin Monks - Years playing for Town (1969-1970), David Moran Years playing for Town (1998-2002), Stuart Parker - Years playing for Town (Assistant Manager - 1998-1999), Mick Taylor - Years playing for Town (Manager - 1989-1991), Brian Wilson - Years playing for Town (Manager - 1998-1999), Derek Spence & Jimmy Sutton (Associate Members)
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FLEETWOOD TOWN FORMER PLAYERS ASSOCIATION
NOTICE BOARD Diary dates for the next three meetings: Thursday 4th April 2019 (10am), Thursday 2nd May 2019 (10am) & Thursday 5th June 2019 (10am). Please note that the personal details which FPA members have supplied are held in strictest confidence and not passed on to any third party. Additionally, we will not/cannot pass on the personal details given to us by any of our members to fellow members. If you need to contact a Former Players Association member out with the monthly meetings, please get in touch with Tony Collier (FPA secretary) who will happily contact the fellow member on your behalf and ask them to get in touch with you.
FTFC FPA OFFICIALS WHO TO CONTACT AT FLEETWOOD TOWN'S FPA Chairman Stuart Murdoch Email: stuart.murdoch@fleetwoodtownfc.co.uk Phone number: 07921 934775 Vice-chairman Phil Brown Email: phil.brown@besutilities.co.uk Phone number: 07976 054398 Secretary Tony Collier Email: tonycfpa@outlook.com Phone Number: 07931 415844 Front cover photograph : Ben Andrew (left), Jim Strachan (RIP), Frank Bowker.
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