Former Fleetwood Town forward Finlay Cross-Adair pleaded guilty to drug driving at Preston Magistrates Court on Tuesday. The 21-year-old's admission marks another legal setback for a player whose career has been derailed by a series of convictions.

Cross-Adair joined Fleetwood Town ahead of the current season after being released by Preston North End, where he made his professional debut aged 17. His time at Highbury was brief, however, as his off-field troubles continued. In October 2023, he was involved in a serious head-on crash on the A6 near Lancaster. Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe described the scene, saying, "He was rescued from his wrecked Seat by firefighters who cut him free before he was rushed to Royal Preston Hospital in an ambulance." Cross-Adair was treated in intensive care and underwent successful surgeries following the crash, which resulted in a six-month driving ban.

Player's Legal History

His history includes a conviction in May 2023 for assaulting a woman, for which he received an 18-month community order, 150 hours of unpaid work and mandatory rehabilitation. He had been charged with eight offences, including six counts of assault, stalking, and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour. The drug-driving incident occurred in 2024, following these previous convictions.

The news emerges as Fleetwood Town handle a challenging League Two campaign, sitting 18th with 14 points from 12 games, having recorded three wins, five draws and four defeats. They are 11 points behind the league leaders, Salford City. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with two wins, one draw and two losses in their last five outings, a sequence reflected in the standings. This run includes a 4-2 defeat away to Cheltenham Town last Tuesday, where Ched Evans scored both of Fleetwood's goals, and a 2-0 home win over Rotherham the previous Saturday. The team has scored 14 goals and conceded 15 this season. The club now turns its focus to an away fixture against 10th-placed Exeter City this Saturday, a match detailed on the club's fixtures page, as they seek to climb the table.

Read the full report at lythamstannesexpress.co.uk