Fleetwood Town bring in former Burnley man to head up their academy

Fleetwood Town has named Jack Higgins as the club’s new academy manager.
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Higgins has made the switch from Premier League side Burnley, where he worked as head of education for three years.

The 29-year-old, who will be tasked with managing the transition to category two status, replaces Ciaran Donnelly who left the club earlier in the month.

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The club recently outlined a formal application to upgrade from category three and Town chairman Andy Pilley believes Higgins’ appointment will be a huge step towards achieving the club’s ambition.

Fleetwood Town academy boss Jack Higgins   Picture: Fleetwood TownFleetwood Town academy boss Jack Higgins   Picture: Fleetwood Town
Fleetwood Town academy boss Jack Higgins Picture: Fleetwood Town

“We are delighted to be able to attract Jack to Fleetwood Town,” Pilley said.

“He’s a hugely impressive person and someone who will help us take our academy to the next level.

“As a club, we have made a huge commitment to developing talent for the future and we are determined to watch it grow further.

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“Jack’s appointment gives us someone with experience of working at a Premier League academy and it’s that level of standards we aim to bring to Fleetwood Town going forward.

“We remain fully committed to developing our outstanding academy further to ensure the stars of the future are produced here on the Fylde coast with Fleetwood Town.”

The club’s category three academy runs 10 teams from U9 level through to U23.

Twelve full-time and 20 part-time staff are currently employed and it was the club’s ambition to develop the academy which attracted Higgins.

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“The fact the club wants to move forward was the biggest standout for me,” he explained.

“The chairman has been a huge part of the growth and the development of this football club over the last 15 years.

“The club has moved phenomenally, both on and off the pitch, in that time and from my last role at Burnley, this was probably the only club I was going to make the step to at this stage in my career.

“I think the club and myself have quite similar values in terms of the fact that the club is a dynamic one that wants to continue to strive for success and continues to move forward.

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“I’m an ambitious young man and that’s something that ticked a huge box; that the club wants to continue to succeed and move towards the Championship at first-team level, and continue to invest in the academy.

“It will be a challenge but it is one that I’m open to.”