Football Season Guide

Fleetwood Town’s relegation from League One didn’t come as much of a surprise to most informed observers. The Cod Army spent ten years in League One and that success was built upon the funding of former owner Andy Pilley, who was sentenced to 13 years in prison for fraud and money laundering in July 2023. The consequences were quickly felt by the football club and former Scotland international Charlie Adam was handed the task of keeping the side in League One on New Years Eve. He inherited a side cut adrift by predecessor Lee Johnson, and despite improved performances it proved to be too much of a gap to make up. Somewhat absurdly Jamie Pilley, Andy Pilley’s son, has become the club’s owner this summer. On the pitch Adam has lost the majority of his key players, some of whom have been sold for significant amounts by Pilley Jr. They include the attacking trio of Cian Hayes, Junior Quitirna and Promise Omochere. Midfielder Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu and striker Ronan Coughlan could also be sold before the transfer window closes at the end of August. The loss of influential loanees in defender Bosun Lawal and midfielder Gavin Kilkenny also represents a loss of quality and Adam is unlikely to be able to replace. He has been slowly but steadily rebuilding his squad and has made some good additions in the middle of the park. Elliot Bonds, Mark Helm and Matt Thick-Virtue all have plenty of experience playing in League One and should excel dropping down a division. There have been some defensive additions too, with former Arsenal academy centre-back Zach Medley the most intriguing. Adam is another manager who will be dealing with arrivals and departures until the window closes and it’s going to take for his new-look side to settle down and gel.