Defender returns on loan vowing title tilt

Defender Tom Davies has told FC United of Manchester’s fans he wants to help them win the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League title after completing his dream move to Fleetwood Town and immediately returning on loan until the end of the campaign.

The 21-year-old former Blackburn trainee, pictured, signed an 18-month contract with the Cod Army, fifth in League Two, on Tuesday. He is the second FCUM star to join a Football League side this season following Chesterfield's capture of midfielder Ollie Banks in September.

Davies, who spent two years playing for Team Northumbria while completing a university degree in Newcastle before joining FC United at the start of the campaign, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for me to join a magnificent football club such as Fleetwood Town. It is a tremendous gesture on their part to allow me to return on loan to FC United.

"It is something that I wanted to happen because I wanted to help achieve promotion with FC United. I’d like to thank all my team-mates and the coaching staff who have helped me gain this opportunity.

"My biggest thanks are reserved for the FC United supporters whose unbelievable support has also been a major factor in helping me to move forward in my career. I want to repay that support by winning the league."

The Premier Division promotion-chasers are delighted to have the full-back on loan until the end of the campaign and paid tribute to Fleetwood for the way they'd handled the transfer.

Manager Karl Marginson said: "Tom's performances since he joined us last summer have quite rightly been noticed by clubs further up the pyramid. His continued availability will surely help us with our promotion push.

"It also shows the quality of Fleetwood in loaning Tom back to us, as they see that as part of Tom's development before he joins them in the summer. They were also mindful of the timing of their move for Tom’s services and didn’t want to disrupt FC United’s run of good form."

"I would like to place on record FC United’s thanks to Fleetwood Town for the professional way in which they’ve conducted the negotiations with FC United."