Fleetwood Town's Highbury Stadium will host Arsenal in the Carabao Cup fourth round, a fixture that highlights the coincidental name shared with the Premier League side's former home. The Cod Army's ground, which opened in 1939, is named after Highbury Avenue, the road that runs beside it on the south-western edge of Memorial Park. The club's current strong form adds a modern context to the historic venue's latest chapter.
From Lancashire Combination to League One
Fleetwood moved to Highbury following a successful period that included winning the Lancashire Combination Cup three years in succession, having previously played beside the North Euston Hotel. Between 1948 and 1952, the ground was used for speedway, with the Fleetwood Flyers competing on a track that left a lasting gap on the western side of the stadium. The original club folded in 1976, and after a brief reformation, the gates closed in 1996 with the stadium falling into serious disrepair. Grass reportedly grew waist-high and parts required extensive work before the present Fleetwood Town, formed initially as Fleetwood Wanderers in 1997, could return.
Jim Betmead and a group of volunteers were instrumental in bringing the ground back into use. The club's modern era truly began when Andy Pilley took control in 2004, launching a major programme of investment that coincided with a remarkable rise through the pyramid. Fleetwood won six promotions in 10 years, reaching the Football League in 2012 and League One in 2014. The stadium was redeveloped alongside this progress, with new stands and improvements to meet Football League standards. Today, Highbury Stadium has a capacity of 5,327, with a record attendance of 6,150 set for an FA Cup first-round match against Rochdale on 13 November 1965.
The colours of the trawler fleet
Fleetwood's famous red and white colours have a distinct local origin, pre-dating any association with Arsenal. The club originally played in amber and black but changed around 1919. "The change was connected to an arrangement with the town's trawler fleet, whose colours were red and white," according to Visit Fleetwood. The story is sometimes told that local trawlermen offered to buy the club a new kit if they adopted the colours of their boats.
A modern resurgence on the pitch
The team's history provides the backdrop for a team currently enjoying an unbeaten run. Fleetwood's last five results read WDWDD, with the most recent a 1-0 victory over Sheffield United secured by a Rhys Norrington-Davies own goal. They have scored seven goals and conceded just four this season. The squad's current momentum shows a team building confidence at their historic home.
Arsenal's Highbury, which opened in 1913 and was known for its famous Art Deco stands, was named after the north London district and served as their home until 2006. While the names are coincidental, the upcoming cup tie at Fleetwood's Highbury is a landmark event for a stadium and a club that has fought its way back from the brink.
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