Kentish Football 
Fleetwood Town unveil Barry Ferguson loan signing ahead of Bromley FA Cup tie
The 34-year-old midfielder joins the League Two side from Fylde coast neighbours Blackpool in what Fleetwood Town chairman Andy Pilley describes as a statement of intent for last season’s Blue Square Bet (Conference) Premier champions.
“Barry is a fantastic coup of the football club and a massive signing,” Mr Pilley told www.fleetwoodtownfc.com.
“His footballing credentials are second to none and this is a huge, huge day for Fleetwood Town.”
Ferguson joined Blackpool in summer 2011 from Premier League Birmingham City and has made over 50 appearances for the Seasiders as skipper. The midfielder spent two seasons with Blackburn Rovers in between two successful spells with Rangers.
His time at Ibrox saw 82 appearances in European competitions and 45 caps for the national side. He was awarded an MBE in 2006 for his services to football.
Mr Pilley added: “Discussions have been held this week and Barry has really bought into the Highbury project, so much so he has taken a pay cut to drop into League 2.
“We are a hugely successful and progressive club and signing someone who has achieved so much in the game speaks volumes for our footballing aspirations.”
Fleetwood Town have reduced ticket prices for the visit of Mark Goldberg’s side, who defeated Sutton United, Dover Athletic and Worcester City to reach this stage of the competition.
Bromley have never defeated a Football League club in The FA Cup and it’s been 67 years’ since their last First Round win.
Goldberg has led the Hayes Lane club to this stage of the competition four times in the past six years, but on each occasion have lost to Gillingham (2006), Colchester United (2009) and were defeated 3-0 at Leyton Orient last November.
Fleetwood Town reached the Third Round last season, when they lost to Blackpool, after beating Wycombe Wanderers and Yeovil Town.
There have been a number of notable giant-killing acts by Fleetwood Town over the last few seasons in the world’s oldest competition but on Saturday the tables are turned as Blue Square Bet South team Bromley look to be the David to Town’s Goliath.
As ever, Fleetwood Town manager Micky Mellon’s preparation has left no stone unturned:
He told www.fleetwoodtownfc.com: ‘We can’t deny that we will be regarded as favourites on this occasion and with the tie being at home but we know that we have to be on top of our game to go through.
“We have prepared as we would for any other game and paid Bromley every respect by getting to know them well and we will pass that information on to the players. We had them watched two or three times so we know pretty much everything that we need to know and have identified potential threats.’
‘We have had plenty of good times in the FA Cup and that’s why we see it as a really important game for us. We are looking forward to the game but know that Bromley will have ambitions like us to get to Round Two of this marvellous competition.
“We come into the game in a good place League-wise but we need to focus on what lies ahead of us and that is Bromley.’
Midfielder Alex Marrow misses out through suspension following his red card at Rochdale last Saturday but fellow-midfielder Junior Brown is available once again after serving his time out.
Three players on loan from other clubs, Tom Barkhuizen, Rob Edwards and Curtis Obeng, are all available after the parent-clubs gave permission for them to play.
The injury situation shows little change although club captain, Steve McNulty, is fit again after missing four games:
Mellon said: “Steve only trained the day before the Rochdale game and his presence on the bench was more a precaution to cover the other two centre halves. He’s got a good week under his belt and can now be considered for a return to the first eleven.”
Quotes courtesy of www.fleetwoodtownfc.com
Fleetwood Town v Bromley
The FA Cup with Budweiser First Round
Saturday 3rd November 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Highbury Stadium, Park Avenue, Fleetwood, Lancashire FY7 6TX
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd