West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola could play an unlikely role in helping non-league Fleetwood Town gain promotion this season.
Fleetwood, who will line up in the Blue Square North in 2009/10, are managed by former Blackpool, Burnley and Tranmere Rovers midfielder Micky Mellon, who recently joined Hammers boss Zola on a UEFA A licence coaching course at Lilleshall.
There, Mellon admitted to spending the two-week course speaking to Zola about his footballing philosophy and coaching methods.
"There were 42 ex-professional footballers on the course, including Zola and [former Netherlands striker] Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink," said the Fleetwood manager. "There were lots of interesting guys and lots of interesting ideas. We picked each others' brains in the evenings."
Whether it is down to Zola's influence or not, Fleetwood have been placed among the Blue Square North promotion favourites alongside Southport and AFC Telford.
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