Have you ever been in the woods where there is a gentle trickle of water as a stream winds its way snakelike through the trees, and away into the distance, as the sun shimmers on the water, and children play nearby? Sorry but I am a frustrated writer. Anyway, that’s what the name Fleetwood means, woods with a stream.
Fleetwood Town FC began life as a reincarnation of a former Fleetwood Town, Fleetwood Rangers, Fleetwood Wanderers, Fleetwood Freeport and Fleetwood Town again. Football was played in and around Fleetwood as far back as the 19th Century, but the present club was only formed in 1997. Fleetwood Wanderers as they were called then became Fleetwood Town again in 2002. Fleetwood play at Highbury and wear a kit of white shorts and a red shirt, with white sleeves. It’s a bit like watching the Arsenal at Highbury Stadium, but only a bit. Highbury can accommodate 5,327 cod-fearing supporters.
Around the time Fleetwood Town were reforming in 1977, for the first time since 1908, England V Iceland was being played out in the cod wars. The town was already suffering a decline in fishing quotas, and the cod war did not help at all. Fishing still exists in Fleetwood, much to their credit, but in an ironic twist, the main employer today is the Lofthouse company, makers of the famous yet disgusting and incredibly hot Fisherman’s Friend, a strong menthol lozenge. If you have never had one, it’s like sucking a vindaloo flavoured Locket or Tune. The club’s badge reflects the seafaring industry of Fleetwood. (PIC 1) It is in the shape of a roundel and has an anchor at its centre. The club’s initials surround the anchor, and the club’s colours decorate the badge. On the shirts around the badge, but not part of the badge, is the club name, and motto, “Onward”. (PIC 2)
In celebration of the club’s second reformation in 1997, as Fleetwood Wanderers, a badge was designed by a supporter. (PIC 3) It is the same design as they have today, with the Wanderers initials around the anchor. I go on a lot about the clubs, not consulting supporters when they change their badges, as they do frequently in today’s business logo climate. Yet when they do consult supporters, they win and win again. It is inclusive as all fans can take part, from children to lifelong fans aged 100 and beyond. You don’t have to pay some advertising company hundreds of thousands of pounds to design them, as they are free and they are always good club, town or city-related ideas. The club nickname reflects the fishing history of the town and is “The Cod Army”. A wise choice, as “The Anchors” would lead to ridicule and scorn, you know what football supporters are like, they would not miss an opportunity like that. Local rivals are Blackpool to the south and Morecambe to the north. If you would like to know more about Fleetwood Town then “Go your own way” to www.fleetwoodtownfc.com
