Fußballer sind vereint im Kampf gegen den Rassismus

Source: Oberhessische Presse

Automatic translation can be found at http://tinyurl.com/6kyafk

Marburg. Mit einer besonderen Aktion wenden sich zwei Marburger Fußballvereine und der englische Club FC United of Manchester gegen rassistische Tendenzen in Europa.

(Text below photograph)
Oberbürgermeister Egon Vaupel (von links) mit Dr. Kurt Bunke, dem VfB-Marburg-Chef Dietrich Möller und dem Vorsitzenden der BSF Richtsberg, Erich Moch, mit dem Plakat, über das zur Teilnahme an der Aktion „Fußball gegen Rassismus“ aufruft. Foto: Bodo Ganswindt

von Bodo Ganswindt


Am 6. Juni wird es in Marburg eine Demonstration auf dem Blochmannplatz vor der Mensa geben, an der Fußballer und ihre Freunde gemeinsam mit Bannern und Transparenten zum Stadion des VfB Marburg in der Gisselberger Straße laufen, um auf diese Weise als Teil eines europäischen Netzwerkes zu bekunden, dass sie die „Krankheit“ Rassismus bekämpfen. Die Aktion „Fußball gegen Rassismus in Europa“ versteht die populärste aller Sportarten als Medium, dem Rassismus auf den Sportfeldern vorzubeugen beziehungsweise ihn zu bekämpfen.
Die Initiative zu dieser Aktion gab Dr. Kurt Bunke, der als Mitglied des Arbeitskreises Integration in Marburg, die Idee aus England mit nach Deutschland brachte. In Manchester nämlich lebt und arbeitet sein Sohn. „Dort habe ich den Peoples United Day miterlebt und war davon sehr angetan“, sagt er. Entsprechendes Informationsmaterial habe er dem Runden Tisch in Marburg vorgelegt.


Dr. Bunke fand alsbald in der Stadt, dem VfB Marburg und den Ballsportfreunden Richtsberg Partner, die jene Aktion auch in Marburg öffentlich machen wollen. Überdies hat sich der Verein FC United of Manchester bereit erklärt, seine Solidarität in Form der Teilnahme an der Demonstration sowie eines Freundschaftsspieles gegen eine kombinierte Mannschaft des VfB und der Ballsportfreunde zu bekunden. Alle Beteiligten rufen dazu auf, Diskriminierung und Rassismus im Sport sowie generell eine Absage zu erteilen.
Der englische Verein ist nicht zu verwechseln mit Manchester United, jenem milliardenschweren börsennotierten Klub. Vielmehr ist der FC United of Manchester, der inzwischen 3.500 Mitglieder hat, im Jahr 2005 gegründet worden, als zahlreiche Fans ein Zeichen gegen die fortschreitende Kommerzialisierung des Fußballs in ihrer Stadt setzen wollten. Sportlich befindet sich die Fußballmannschaft in der englischen Mittelklasse, Es gibt sowohl sieben Ligen unter ihnen als auch darüber. Der Klub hat demokratische Strukturen, fördert Jugendliche und pflegt den Kontakt zur Lokalbevölkerung.
Die Delegation aus Manchester wird am 5. Juni in Marburg eintreffen. Am nächsten Tag stehen die Demonstration, das Fußballspiel sowie eine Fete auf dem Gelände des VfB auf dem Programm.


„Der Fußball hat eine besondere Verantwortung, wenn es um den Gedanken der Integration geht“, betont VfB-Chef Dietrich Möller. Er verweist auf den Partner BSF Richtsberg, in dem viele Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund eine sinnvolle Freizeitbeschäftigung gefunden haben. „Wir passen gut zusammen“, sagt Möller, der darauf hinweist, dass die BSF bald der Nachbar des VfB Marburg sein werden.


Oberbürgermeister Egon Vaupel weist auf den hohen Integrationsfaktor des Sports und den des Fußballs insbesondere hin. „Menschen unterschiedlicher Hautfarben, Kulturkreise und Religionen spielen in freundschaftlicher Form friedlich miteinander – das muss man nutzen, um gegen Rassismus Flagge zu zeigen.“


Das Projekt und der Aufruf zur Teilnahme an der Aktion wird unterstützt vom Staatlichen Schulamt, vom Kinder- und Jugendparlament Marburgs, von der Jüdischen Gemeinde, dem Islamischen Kulturverein Hadara, dem evangelischen Kirchenkreis Marburg-Stadt, der Evangelischen Jugend Marburg, dem DGB, der GEW, dem AStA sowie dem Arbeitkreis Marburger Wissenschaftler für Friedens- und Abrüstungsforschung.

Marginson Eager For Next Step

The Big Interview

Karl Marginson (FC United Manager) by Craig Chisnall
Sunday, May 11, 2008

PRINCIPLES can be expensive in sport.

They probably cost Eric Liddell the 100m title at the 1924 Olympics while devout Christian Jonathan Edwards withdrew from the 1991 World Championships when his triple jump final was scheduled for a Sunday.

So what price strongly-held principles for the fans of FC United?

The supporters who formed their breakaway club to restore footballing traditions of the past – Saturday 3pm kick-offs among them – might soon find that success comes at a price.

When FC United’s fixture against Curzon Ashton this season was moved to accommodate UniBond TV there was uproar.

The fans turned their backs on the meddlesome broadcasters and went to watch their reserves instead.

Now, just two promotions from the Blue Square Premier – and the prospect of games being staged to suit broadcasters once more – reality of modern day sport could soon bite again.

Manager Karl Marginson bright but knows some tough decisions might need to be made by his hard-core supporters following the club’s third successive promotion to the UniBond Premier League.

“Without a doubt we can become a Football League club but there are big bridges to be crossed,” said Marginson.

“There are going to be issues with the fans but they will be the ones who decide how far we want to go.

“You only have to look at the backlash of the fans when the game was moved for UniBond TV.

With the right decisions in place there will be a compromise. The TV companies do bring in money at this level but we’ve got fans who travel in large numbers and the attraction of the club has been football at traditional times.

“They aren’t going to want to travel to Weymouth on a Sunday night just because our match is on the TV. Nobody is blind to the issues and these things are going to come up but the beauty of the club is that they will be voted on.

“It’s all in the future and it probably will be a nightmare but I will have to have a look at it at some point.

“I’m ambitious and I want to realise my ambitions with FC United – I live and breathe this club.”

Marginson does just that – as well as being boss of the first team he works in the club’s community department. And it’s those links with the community that have made the club a stunning success. The club’s home gates have been consistently higher than landlords Bury’s and the away travel has had many cashstrapped clubs rubbing their hands when they come to town.

Now UniBond Premier chairmen will be seeing pound signs – but it’s a big step-up for Marginson’s men.

But Marginson reveals he has learned a lot in the last 12 months to take into Step 3.

“I’ve been planning for next season for a couple of months and the main thing we need to have is more strength in depth,” Marginson added.

“We lost our leading goalscorer in Stuart Rudd and my captain Dave Chadwick for the majority of the season and it was hard to replace them.

“We were asking young lads to do jobs that were a little bit too much for them and we can’t afford to do that next season.

“We’re going to restructure a few things. I’m going to have a bigger first team squad rather than the reserves and players who aren’t involved regularly can go out on-loan or we can organise friendly reserve games when it suits us.

“I’ve got players in Chris Baguley, Rory Patterson and Jerome Wright who I believe can play in the League and I don’t fear next season. There are going to be plenty of good sides but I believe we could be one of them.”

The atmosphere at Gigg Lane will put plenty of fire in opposition bellies but not for too much longer hopes Marginson.

Marginson says the club won’t realise their potential until they have a home to call their own.

“Some people think we’ve got buckets of money – that’s not the case and until we get our own ground we won’t be able to be as self sufficient as we want,” he added.

“The plans are well down the road and that’s going to be a big plus – at the moment all we are doing is handing out a huge amount of money to Bury every week.

“We all want our own home and when we move back closer to Manchester city centre I see no reason why our attendances won’t improve again and push the club on further. I just hope I can play my part because I’ve loved every minute so far."

Carden Gang On The Climb

by Craig Chisnall
Sunday, May 11, 2008

THE CARDEN clan had a double dose of success this week after brothers Adam and Paul shone for FC United and Cambridge.

Last weekend Rebels winger Adam helped FC Utd complete their third promotion in three years before Paul, who had watched his younger brother in the 4-1 win against Skelmersdale, played a leading role in the U’s play-off semi-final win against Burton on Tuesday.

Adam, 22, is now planning a first trip to the new Wembley to see if the U’s and his big bro can make it a promotion double.

Adam said: “I was made up when we won promotion – but just as much when Cambridge got to Wembley and it will be a special day to see Paul play there.

“There’s a whole load of family and friends going down to Wembley on a couple of buses and I hope it turns out to be a special day for all involved.

“It was nice to have Paul in the crowd last weekend because we hardly ever get to see each other play.

“He said I had done OK and it was great to play my part in helping FC United secure another promotion.”

Paul – who has been onloan at Cambridge from Accrington since November – is eager to follow Adam’s promotion lead.

“Adam had a really good game and it was good to see a Scouser getting promoted with United!

“I’m just hoping we can complete the job to make it a memorable couple of weeks for the family.”

WE HAVE OUR SAY

Source: The Mirror
10/05/2008

The fsf was at Westminster this week giving evidence to the All Party Parliamentary Football Group inquiry into club governance.

Deep stuff we know, but important nonetheless. On the surface it could appear that football has "never had it so good." Dig a little deeper and there are real problems.

Also giving evidence were ex-England chief Howard Wilkinson from the League Managers' Association, the PFA, the FSF's very good friends at Supporters Direct and a rep from FC United of Manchester, just promoted to the Unibond Premier League... the club set up by unhappy Man United supporters after the Glazer takeover at Old Trafford.

The FSF concentrated their contribution on how the FA and the leagues supervise "fit and proper person" tests for club owners and directors - a step in the right direction but needing to be beefed up.
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Website: fsf.org.uk

Rebels set sights on more glory

By Liam Chronnell

KARL Marginson is confident FC United can continue their meteoric rise next season in the UniBond Premier League.

The Rebels boss says next year holds no fears for the breakaway club after they completed a third successful promotion campaign in a row.

The Gigg Lane tenants, formed by disenchanted Manchester United fans unhappy at the takeover of the club by Malcolm Glazer in 2005, are now just three divisions below the Football League.

And Marginson sees no reason why FC, who admits the latest promotion was the best yet, cannot achieve more glory next term.

"We don't fear anyone," said Marginson, who gave up his fruit and veg round to take up the manager's position on full time this season.

"I've played at this level all my life and I know what the script is and what it holds. But we're just going to enjoy it now and look to kick on next year.

"We've got a decent nucleus of players. There will be players who want to come and play at the club and when they hear how much we're paying they won't want to come to the club.

"I've got my eye on a couple of players who will strengthen the squad, and we've got a fantastic reserve team behind us which is going to be disbanded next year, so I'll be looking at giving some of those players a chance."

Marginson, who also saw his side lift the the Presidents Cup this season, added: "It's definitely the best promotion yet. The last two seasons have run pretty smoothly but this season has been a right tussle; losing players, having games called off and the backlog of fixtures.

"Everything that could go against us did go against us, but for the lads to stay as mentally and physically strong as they have done is a fantastic credit to them.

"I've had to learn a lot very quickly this year with things going against us like they did, but it's all a learning a curve.

"I'm only 37-year-old so there will be plenty more seasons like this. But I never thought we wouldn't go up. Right until the end, I thought we would win it.

"I truly believe we are the best team in the league but with all the injuries it has not worked out like that.

FC sealed promotion with a 4-1 win against Skelmersdale United in Saturday's eventful play-off final at Gigg Lane. Referee Billy Khatib upset the Merseysiders by sending off two players and awarding the home side three penalties.

But Marginson, pictured, believes FC earned their good fortune this season.

"The sending off was the turning point," he said. "The letter of the law says it's a penalty and the lad sees red. Then we missed a penalty and got another one but, over the course of the season, decisions even themselves out.

"I've said that many times when we've had bad ones go against us, luckily it went for us on this occasion. But, 11 against 11, I'm sure we would still have been stronger than them.

"In the first half they were strong and direct, but in recent weeks we get better as the game goes on. I put it down to the crowd - the noise level goes up and we respond to it."

And the manager, who said the club had no plans to turn professional in the foreseeable future, hailed the role the supporters had played in the Rebels' success.

He added: "The fans are everything. The players will get all the plaudits, which they deserve, but the fans have been amazing. They've been away to Harrogate, Newcastle - they just kept turning up in numbers to support the red shirts and it's a credit to them."

9:42am
08/05/2008

FC United 4 Skelmersdale 1

Tony Howard

8/ 5/2008

IT WAS on a cold November night at Mossley that FC United manager Karl Marginson promised the fans that his side would gain a third successive promotion – and six months later he was proved right.

The reds may have lost 2-0 on that bitter winter’s eve and they looked dead and buried in the mid-table obscurity of the UniBond League First Division North with the season barely halfway through.

Many called the gaffer’s credibility into question following his brash, and seemingly impossible, statement. But after masterminding his side’s play-off final win over Skelmersdale United on Saturday, Margy could bask in the glow of a remarkable achievement with all doubters wearing faces redder than his own sunburnt Ancoats boat.

It was a terrible season with injuries, postponements and outright bad luck plaguing United at every turn. But things certainly evened themselves out as FC were gifted three penalties on Saturday and ended the game with two players more than poor Skem.

Early nerves gave way to apparent disaster as the visitors took the lead when Sean McConville bent in a free kick that Denis Irwin would have been proud of.

FC pressed before the game’s turning point came when Jerome Wright’s header was saved on the line by Skem captain Michael White.

Unfortunately, Mr White wasn’t the keeper and the referee had no hesitation in introducing the big centre half to the Mr Red hiding in his top pocket.

A hushed crowd were not disappointed as Nicky Platt stepped up to coolly make it 1-1 from the spot.

Early in the second half, FC were in front after Jamie Baguley floated in a free kick which was successfully met by the considerable bonce of skipper Dave Chadwick.

And the drama was far from over. Following a good chance for Skem, United won their second penalty, which was again awarded for handball. Platt only managed to rattle the crossbar with his spot kick. However, Simon Carden was shoved as he went for the rebound and, remarkably, the referee awarded another penalty.

This time Rory Patterson took it. His effort appeared to have been saved but a freakish spin that Shane Warne would do well to emulate saw the ball curl over the line for 3-1.

The game was over as a contest minutes later as Skem substitute Kevin Leadbetter got a touch of the Mascherano’s and was dismissed for insulting the referee.

FC’s substitute Chris Baguley rounded things off with a 25-yard drive into the bottom corner with 15 minutes to go.

The crowd celebrated long into the night and now the club begin their plan of attack for life in the UniBond Premier Division next season – a feat that seemed so improbable that night on the frozen hills of Mossley.

Club defends FC United deal

Source: Sale and Altrincham Messenger

By Connor Murphy

ALTRINCHAM vice chairman Grahame Rowley claims the controversial deal that could see FC United play cup games at Moss Lane next season will only be good for the club.

The Robins have struck a deal with the breakaway Manchester United fans' club in which the Reds will play all home FA Cup and FA Trophy games at the ground during the 2008/09 campaign.

Both teams will also meet in a preseason friendly at Moss Lane on Tuesday July 22 and the two announcements have caused unrest among the club's support.

Much of the anger stems from an incident which occured at a preseason friendly between the two clubs at Moss Lane in 2006, when young Altrincham fans were attacked by a handful of FC United supporters.

There is also a worry the deal could lead to a permamnent groundshare agreement between the two clubs, but Rowley has moved quickly to allay fans' fears.

He said: "The decision was made on a purely financial basis.

"The club are looking at all areas to be able to increase our budget and this was one of them. We want to be able to compete at the highest level possible and that means generating more revenue.

"It's financially sound for the club but I can assure people that it's not leading towards a permanent groundshare.

"We have hired our ground out plenty of times since the end of the season and it's not been a problem so why should it be now.

"It may not even happen because they might be drawn away in the cup so we'll have to wait and see."

2:55pm Thursday 8th May 2008

AFC Liverpool join the rebels with vow of football for all

David Conn
The Guardian,
Thursday May 8 2008

First there was AFC Wimbledon, formed by fans turning away from the "franchising" of their club to Milton Keynes in 2002, then FC United of Manchester, established three years later by supporters opposed to the Glazer family's Old Trafford takeover. From next season, another grassroots offshoot of a big club will embark on a non-League football adventure: AFC Liverpool.

Begun just nine weeks ago as an idea floated on the internet by lifelong Liverpool fan Alun Parry, AFC Liverpool has formed as a supporter-owned club with 500 members and rising, recruited an experienced non-League manager, Derek Goulding, and held trials on Monday to which 300 hopeful players turned up, eager to be part of the inaugural season.

Parry, 37, a musician and Kop season ticket holder, stresses that the club is not a protest or reaction to the more painful aspects of Tom Hicks and George Gillett's ownership of Liverpool. His key motivation is to form a club which less well-off and younger supporters can afford to watch.

"Many people have been priced out at Anfield," Parry explained. "I do not blame the club, their prices are low compared to other Premier League clubs. They are just too much for a lot of us."

Full ticket prices at Anfield this season were £34 and £32 for category B games; £34 and £36 for category A; season tickets ranged from £650 in the main stand to £600 in the Kop. The demand is there, with a long waiting list for season tickets, but Parry points to an ageing of the Liverpool crowd, as at Premier League grounds generally.

"It came home to me when my brother, John, who can't afford to go, took his son to Anfield just to show him the atmosphere outside a game - he couldn't afford to take them both in. My dad took me on to the Kop as a boy and the ground was teeming with kids. In 1985 a Kop season ticket was £45, now it's £600. Young people can't afford it."

AFC Liverpool ticket prices have been set at £5 for adults and a maximum of £2 for children, and Parry is hoping for crowds of between 1,500 and 2,000.

Goulding, formerly manager of the Blue Square North club Burscough, is enthusiastic: "The club's founding values are spot on," he said. "A lot of Liverpool people are missing out on the football experience which used to be for everyone."

Last Saturday AFC Wimbledon and FC United of Manchester won promotion via their play-offs, to Blue Square South and the UniBond Premier League respectively. AFC Liverpool will be starting next season where FCUM began in 2005, in the Vodkat North West Counties League, Division Two.

Extract from The Guardian

(From "Stanley promise full cooperation in betting probe")

Tom Davies
The Guardian,
Monday May 5 2008

... Meanwhile it was a weekend of celebrations for fan-run breakaway clubs, with both AFC Wimbledon and FC United of Manchester securing promotions.

The Dons won promotion to the Conference South with a 2-1 win at Staines in their Ryman Premier play-off final. They fell behind to a Matt Flitter header in the first half but levelled through Luis Cumbers' header before, with six minutes remaining, Mark De Volla's low free-kick.

FC United secured a place in the UniBond Premier Division with a 4-1 win over Skelmersdale United. The visitors took an early lead in the Northern Premier League play-off but goals from Nicky Platt, David Chadwick, Rory Patterson and Chris Baguley brought victory.

FC clinch promotion

Graham Hardcastle
5/ 5/2008

FC United manager Karl Marginson has set his sights on what would be an amazing four successive promotion.

The Rebels safely confirmed their passage to the Unibond Premier Division with a pulsating victory over Skelmersdale in the Division One North play-off final at Gigg Lane on Saturday.

And with it came their third promotion in three years of existence. Two penalties from Nicky Platt and Rory Chadwick were complimented with strikes from captain marvel Dave Chadwick and sub Chris Baguley.

The visitors had gone ahead in front of a bumper crowd of 3,258 thanks to Sean McConville's stunning tenth minute free-kick.

But Skem finished the game with nine men after referee Billy Khatib dismissed skipper Michael White and Kevin Leadbetter.

Marginson said: "We've had three fantastic seasons - this promotion is the best of the lot.

"Four promotions has got to be the aim. We will be setting our stall out to go as far as we can. We will start off with the first game, try and win that, and then see where it takes us.

"I know they are all clichés, but there is nothing more true. You have got to take each game as it comes. We have got to judge each game on its own merit, and try and win football matches. That has been our philosophy in three years - it's not been a bad one."

After going behind early on, the Reds drew level six minutes before the break when White saw red for handling Jerome Wright's goalbound header. Platt clinically converted from the spot.

Defender Chadwick, who had been a doubt with a hamstring strain, gave the hosts the lead when he nodded home a long free-kick on 51 minutes.

Any hopes of a Skem recovery were completely banished just after the hour. Michael Duffy was harshly penalised for deliberately handling in the box.

Platt smashed the ball against the bar, only to see it balloon to the edge of the box where another penalty was awarded for minimal contact in a scramble.

Star striker Rory Patterson converted but only after the ball had spun into the net off the hand of keeper Rory McMahon.

Skem sub Leadbetter was dismissed for referee abuse, while sub Chris Baguley added a fourth with a low 20-yard drive ten minutes from time.