Fleetwood Town chief impressed by job applicants

Fleetwood Town this week launched plans to upgrade their academy but need a new manager to lead it – and chairman Andy Pilley has been highly impressed by the candidates.
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It is 10 days since the club advertised the role of academy manager, a post held for the past three years by Ciaran Donnelly.

Donnelly has enjoyed major success in the role, having moved up the Fylde coast after steering the Blackpool Under-18s to a league and cup double in 2017.

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A former England youth international himself, the 36-year-old played for Blackpool and Fleetwood and has been linked with a return to Bloomfield Road.

Fleetwood Town owner Andy PiileyFleetwood Town owner Andy Piiley
Fleetwood Town owner Andy Piiley

But as for his replacement, Town owner Pilley said: “To be honest we’ve been blown away by the quality of applicants which have come in so far.

“It shows how highly regarded the club now is in the footballing world.

“We are looking for someone to take us to the next level, so it’s a big appointment for us at a crucial time.”

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Town’s academy was established in 2013, since when there have been 300 starting appearances in the first team by players it has produced.

Twelve products of the academy have been granted first-team debuts since Joey Barton was appointed head coach at Highbury two years ago. with one of them, Billy Crellin, tipped by the Town boss to become a full international.

Town this week confirmed a £1m investment in a new indoor pitch as the club’s academy bids to rise from category three to category two status.