⚽ HIGHBURY ⚽
Fleetwood Town Complete Travel Guide – 2026-27 Season
ℹ️ 2026-27 Season Guide: All information has been researched and verified for Fleetwood’s third consecutive League Two season. Always check fleetwoodtownfc.com for the latest ticketing and matchday updates before you travel.
⚽ ABOUT HIGHBURY
Highbury – not to be confused with Arsenal’s old ground of the same name – has been home to Fleetwood Town since 1939, taking its name from the adjacent Highbury Avenue. Owned by Wyre Borough Council, the ground has undergone a substantial multi-phase redevelopment since 2007 that transformed it from a modest non-league facility into a compact, all-modern 5,327-capacity stadium fit for League football.
The all-seated Highbury Stand runs along one touchline, with the Memorial Stand (named for those lost in conflict or at sea) opposite housing the loudest home support, while the Percy Ronson Stand at one end – named after a Fleetwood player from the 1950s – is reserved for away supporters. There’s also a memorial garden behind the Parkside Stand where fans can have ashes scattered, a touching detail reflecting the ground’s genuine community roots.
Fleetwood Town – The Cod Army, reflecting the town’s fishing heritage – were founded in 1908 and spent most of their history in non-league football before an extraordinary rise under chairman Andy Pilley’s ownership, reaching the Football League for the first time in 2012 and even a brief spell in League One.
The club’s relatively short professional history means it lacks the deep-rooted legends of older clubs, but its rapid modernisation and genuinely welcoming matchday culture have made it a popular fixture on the away-day circuit. Fleetwood is a proper Lancashire coastal town, and the club’s identity is inseparable from its fishing and seafaring past.
📊 STADIUM SPECIFICATIONS
| Capacity | 5,327 (all seated) |
| Opened | 1939 |
| Address | Park Avenue, Fleetwood, Lancashire, FY7 6TX |
| Away Section | Percy Ronson Stand (covered terrace, southern end) |
| Away Allocation | Typically around 800, extendable into the Parkside or Highbury Stands for cup ties and bigger followings |
| Record Attendance | 6,150 vs Rochdale (FA Cup, 13 November 1965) |
ℹ️ The Percy Ronson Stand is consistently rated one of the best away ends in the EFL for sightlines – steep gradient, no supporting pillars, and genuinely close to the pitch.
🚗 GETTING TO HIGHBURY
Fleetwood has no mainline railway station of its own – the nearest is Poulton-le-Fylde, around 6 miles away, though most away fans actually find it easier to travel via Blackpool North and take the tram or a bus the rest of the way along the scenic Fylde coast.
🗺️ STADIUM LOCATION MAP
Highbury Stadium Address: Park Avenue, Fleetwood, Lancashire, FY7 6TX
🚂 BY TRAIN & TRAM – Via Blackpool
Why This Works: With no mainline station in Fleetwood itself, most away fans travel to Blackpool North, then take the famous Blackpool tram along the Fylde coast to Fleetwood – a genuinely scenic approach and one of the more enjoyable ways to reach any League Two ground. Alternatively, Poulton-le-Fylde connects via a local branch line.
Journey Times to Blackpool North:
🔴 London Euston: Around 3 hours (change at Preston)
🟠 Birmingham New Street: Around 2 hours 30 minutes (change at Preston)
🟡 Manchester Piccadilly: Around 1 hour 30 minutes (direct or change at Preston)
🟢 Preston: Around 25-35 minutes (direct)
🔵 Poulton-le-Fylde: Around 10-15 minutes (direct)
Getting from Blackpool/Poulton to the Stadium
🚋 Tram (around 40 minutes from Blackpool)
The Blackpool tram runs the length of the Fylde coast to Fleetwood – a genuinely scenic journey and one of the best approaches to any League Two ground in the country. From the Fleetwood terminus, it’s a short walk to the ground.
🚌 Bus / Taxi from Poulton-le-Fylde
From Poulton-le-Fylde station, a taxi or local bus covers the remaining 6 miles to Fleetwood.
🔗 Train Times & Tickets: nationalrail.co.uk | thetrainline.com
🔗 Fleetwood Town Official Site: fleetwoodtownfc.com
🚗 BY CAR
Exit the M55 at Junction 3 and follow the A585 towards Fleetwood, following signs for Highbury as you approach the town centre.
Parking Options:
- At the Ground: Very limited – only disabled parking bays are available at the stadium itself.
- Street Parking: Plentiful street parking around the local area, generally free.
- Town Centre Car Parks: Public car parks around Lord Street, a 10-15 minute walk from the ground.
💡 Top Tip: Consider the M55/tram combination via Blackpool if you fancy a more relaxed journey – the seafront tram ride is a genuine highlight.
🍺 PUBS & DRINKS NEAR THE STADIUM
⚠️ Important Advice: There are very few pubs right by the ground itself, so most fans head into Fleetwood town centre, around a 10-15 minute walk away. Some pubs require colours to be covered.
🍺 At the Stadium
🍺 Jim’s Sports Bar (behind the Memorial Stand)
A popular pre-match bar at the ground itself, serving drinks and hot food with big screens for early kick-offs. Reports on whether away fans are admitted vary between sources, so it’s worth checking with your club in advance rather than assuming.
Distance to Stadium: On the footprint | Price: ££
🍺 Fleetwood Town Centre (Recommended)
🍺 The Thomas Drummond (London Street, FY7 6JE)
The local Wetherspoons, around a 15-minute walk from the ground. Reliable, affordable drinks and food, a popular choice for both home and away fans, and the curry here gets particular praise from visiting supporters.
Distance to Stadium: 15 minutes’ walk | Price: £
🍺 Strawberry Gardens
A nice traditional pub in the town, a solid option for a proper pre-match pint away from the busier chain venues.
Distance to Stadium: Town centre | Price: ££
🍺 Seafront Option
🍺 The Mount Hotel
Overlooking Fleetwood seafront, a traditional pub with outdoor seating and genuine sea views – a lovely spot if you fancy something a bit different from the standard matchday boozer.
Distance to Stadium: Seafront, short walk/taxi | Price: ££
🍔 Food Options: Fleetwood is famous for its fish and chips, reflecting the town’s fishing heritage – well worth seeking out a proper chippy while you’re there. Standard concourse food (pies, burgers, hot dogs) is available inside the ground.
💡 Local Tip: The stadium operates on a cashless basis for concourse purchases – bring a card.
🏨 WHERE TO STAY IN FLEETWOOD
Fleetwood itself has limited accommodation, so many visiting fans base themselves in nearby Blackpool, which has a huge range of hotels and B&Bs plus an easy tram connection to Fleetwood.
£ Budget Options
Fleetwood & Blackpool Guesthouses / B&Bs
Numerous budget guesthouses and B&Bs are available in both Fleetwood and nearby Blackpool, typically offering a cosy, homely atmosphere with breakfast included.
Search: booking.com
££ Mid-Range Options
North Euston Hotel
A historic hotel on Fleetwood’s seafront, around 10 minutes’ walk from the ground, with comfortable rooms, an on-site restaurant and views over Morecambe Bay.
Location: The Esplanade, FY7 6BN
Holiday Apartments (Fylde Coast)
Larger groups may prefer renting a holiday apartment along the Fylde Coast, offering flexibility and often a kitchen and living space, ideal for longer stays.
£££ Premium/Seafront Options
Seafront Castle-Style Hotel (near Blackpool)
Just under six miles from the ground, right on the seafront, with a pool, hot tub, gym, bar and restaurant – a genuinely characterful treat-yourself option.
⚠️ Booking Advice
Blackpool generally offers far more choice and better value than Fleetwood itself, and the tram makes the connection between the two genuinely easy – worth considering as your base.
🎯 THINGS TO DO IN FLEETWOOD
Fleetwood is a proper Lancashire fishing port with genuine seaside charm, and Blackpool’s attractions are also within easy reach via tram.
🚢 Fleetwood-Knott End Ferry (Must Visit!)
A charming small passenger ferry crossing the mouth of the River Wyre – a genuinely unusual and enjoyable little trip, and a proper slice of local life.
Cost: A few pounds each way | Time: Allow 30-45 minutes round trip
🌊 Fleetwood Promenade & Beach
A lovely stretch of Lancashire coastline with views across Morecambe Bay – a great spot for a pre or post-match stroll.
Cost: FREE | Time: Allow 30-60 minutes
🏪 Fleetwood Market
A famous local market with a huge range of stalls – a genuine slice of traditional Lancashire town life, best visited on market days.
Cost: FREE entry | Time: Allow 45-60 minutes
Nearby Attractions
Around 40 minutes by tram – the Tower, Pleasure Beach, and Illuminations (in season) are all easily combined with your trip.
🐟 THE FLEETWOOD EXPERIENCE
🐟 Proper Fishing Town: Fleetwood’s identity and the club’s “Cod Army” nickname both come from its fishing heritage – seek out the local fish and chips.
🚋 The Tram Ride: The Blackpool-to-Fleetwood tram along the Fylde coast is genuinely one of the best approaches to any League Two ground in the country.
🎡 Blackpool on the Doorstep: Just 40 minutes away, Blackpool’s attractions make a natural extension to your trip.
⚽ THE MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE
🏟️ Great Sightlines: The Percy Ronson Stand’s steep gradient and lack of pillars make it one of the better-rated away ends in the entire EFL.
💳 Cashless Ground: Bring a card – concourse purchases are cashless.
🎗️ Rapid Rise: Fleetwood only reached the Football League in 2012 – a remarkably quick modern rise for a relatively small club.
💭 FINAL THOUGHTS
Highbury Stadium is small and characterful, and the Percy Ronson Stand is consistently rated one of the better away ends in the EFL for sightlines – a steep, pillar-free terrace close to the pitch. The lack of a mainline station in Fleetwood itself is a genuine quirk, but the tram ride along the Fylde coast from Blackpool is a lovely way to arrive, arguably better than a standard train journey.
Fleetwood itself is a proper Lancashire fishing town with genuine seaside charm – the Knott End ferry crossing is a delightfully unusual little trip, and the fish and chips are exactly what you’d hope for in a town built on the fishing industry. With Blackpool just 40 minutes away by tram, it’s easy to build a full day around the away trip.
Our advice? Travel via Blackpool North and take the tram along the seafront, explore Fleetwood’s promenade and market, grab a pint at the Thomas Drummond, then head to the ground for one of League Two’s better away-end experiences.
Take the tram along the Fylde coast, enjoy proper Lancashire fish and chips, and experience one of League Two’s best-rated away ends!
⚽ Come On You Cod Army! ⚽
📞 USEFUL CONTACTS
⚽ Fleetwood Town: 01253 775080 | fleetwoodtownfc.com
🎫 Ticket Office: fleetwoodtownfc.com/tickets
🚂 National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 | nationalrail.co.uk
🚋 Blackpool Transport (Trams): blackpooltransport.com
ℹ️ Visit Fleetwood: visitwyre.co.uk
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⚽ Part of the Football Nonsense League Two Away Days Collection
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John Herman is a Leeds-based, would-be football writer and founder of Football Nonsense. Blending fan passion with sharp opinion, attempting to tackle the game’s biggest debates, from the terraces to the boardroom, with honesty, (attempted) humour, and heart.