Fleetwood Town could thrive in Championship says chairman Andy Pilley

Andy Pilley believes Fleetwood Town are well-equipped to prosper in the Championship should they win promotion.
Fleetwood Town would have three years to turn Highbury into an all-seater stadium in the ChampionshipFleetwood Town would have three years to turn Highbury into an all-seater stadium in the Championship
Fleetwood Town would have three years to turn Highbury into an all-seater stadium in the Championship
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The Highbury club stood fifth when League One action stopped in March, just two points outside the automatic promotion places.

And chairman Pilley dismissed any ideas that his club is not big enough to succeed at a higher level, adding that a place in the Premier League is possible.

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The Town owner told The Gazette: “It’s incorrect for anybody to assume there would be a problem with us at Championship level.

“We wouldn’t need to develop Poolfoot Farm because we would be absolutely fine in the Championship at category three .

“First and foremost, we would have three years to turn the ground into an all-seater, so there would be no immediate problems there.

“We would be turning people away sadly at certain games, so that would be far from ideal.

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“We would be focused on improving the stadium and getting increased capacity but the money that is available is sizable – it’s many times more than you get in League One.

“Just because you have so much money, it doesn’t mean you have to spend it all on players. You can still have a very good team, and the salary cap that is going to come in will also be our friend.

“We have a fantastic working environment at Poolfoot Farm and it would not be difficult at all to attract top players to Fleetwood in the Championship. I fancy we could do okay.”

And although his side are genuine contenders this season, Pilley insists there is no pressure on his club to win promotion.

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He added: “The journey we have been on already is truly magical. We have come from step five.

“Our derby used to be Squires Gate. Much respect to them – they are a really well-run club – but we are now playing Sunderland and Portsmouth, so there is no need to put ourselves under unnecessary pressure.

“I know we will get to the Championship one day, probably soon. And, who knows, the Premier League?

“If the salary cap comes into play, which I believe it will, it will come down to who is the best-run club with the best manager. And I fancy we could be right up there under those circumstances.”