Why the clouds of 2005 have a silver lining

Why the clouds of 2005 have a silver lining
Source: The Guardian

FC United's Tony Howard looks back on a year that supporters in Manchester won't forget in a hurry

Friday December 30, 2005

The year 2005 has been described as an annus horribilis by supporters of Manchester United: their team finished the 2004-05 season trophyless; Roy Keane left in acrimonious circumstances; a poor Liverpool side somehow won the European Cup, and United then crashed out before even reaching the group stages of this season's competition. However, surely the biggest blow of them all came in the merry month of May when Old Trafford was invaded by Americans.

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The Glazer takeover saw the club plunged into massive debt by people with no love for the game and a sole interest in profit. It felt like the world had ended as many of us gave up our most prized possessions in the world - our season tickets - because, in our eyes, Manchester United as we knew it was no more. Yet FC United of Manchester's formation has provided a chink of light in the darkest of years.

It was with heavy heart that we swapped Old Trafford for Gigg Lane and many friendships and even family relationships were damaged by the decision to depart Old Trafford. Despite the sad instances of infighting amidst the red half of Manchester, those of us who made the move have been rewarded with an amazing ride over the last five months.

We've been to football grounds we never knew existed. We've been to places we'd never heard of and all the time we've rediscovered the joys that only watching football can bring. We've even seen our team score 10 goals in a game (against Castleton Gabriels), been to Accrington Stanley (v Colne) and we've still got a 'European away-day' to look forward to at Blackpool in February (v Blackpool Mechanics).

We now look forward to trips to places like Leek or Barrow and wonder whether there'll be boozers near the ground or what the stands will be like - just as last season we felt the same about trips to more glamorous destinations on the continent. None of us takes any joy as we watch the downward spiral happening at our spiritual home in M16, but I'm sure few of us have any regrets.

And as FC United end 2005 11 points clear at the top of North West Counties Division Two, with crowds regularly topping 3,000, we are sure to look forward to many more days out in wild and wonderful venues in obscure towns around the region next year. Many in Manchester may be glad to see the back of 2005, but it was also the birth of a new era in United supporters' football history. And for that reason, the year will never be forgotten.

Sth Mcr Reporter: So long Simms

Source: South Manchester Reporter
So long Simms


MAINE Road FC have been rocked after long-serving player-manager Chris Simms resigned his post at the Moore and Co Solicitors North West Counties Football League division one club.

Simms has left to join the successful FC United who are flying high in division two where he will concentrate on playing for the ambitious new club, formed by Manchester United supporters disillusioned at Malcolm Glazer’s takeover last summer.

Simms has played for Maine Road for 15 of the last 17 seasons and has clocked up over 500 appearances.

During his time he has also scored more than 100 goals for the south Manchester club.

He will make his debut for his new team against Flixton while Road secretary Derek Barber will take over as caretaker boss at Brantingham Road.

FC United boss Karl Marginson told the league’s website: "I know this move will surprise a lot of people in local non-league, but Chris is a massive Manchester United fan and is eager to be a part of what we’re trying to achieve here.

"He’s still a great player and will be a brilliant signing for us."

The veteran ex-Hyde and Runcorn midfielder has just returned to action after recovering from a groin injury sustained in a pre-season guest appearance for FC United according to the league’s official website.

With FC United riding high at the top of division two, there is every possibility that Simms could face a reunion with his former club next season should his new side secure promotion into division one.

However, Road’s hopes of festive cheer and a welcome win were hit in their local derby at Abbey Hey.

After a home defeat against Colne and the loss of Simms, Road’s attempt at getting back to winning ways looked good as they took the lead on 37 minutes through Gareth Richards.

But it was not to be though as Simpson levelled for the home team on 69 minutes before Moore slotted home an 86th minute penalty to leave Road pointless and in 14th place in the division one table.

Road are next in action on Monday, January 2 when they visit Trafford. Kick-off is scheduled for 3pm.

First published by the South Manchester Reporter

Q and A: FC United of Manchester

Source 4thegame.com


Q and A: FC United of Manchester
Monday 26 Dec 2005

Seven months ago the Glazer family walked in to Old Trafford, and some disillusioned United fans walked out. Thousands returned their season tickets, a few have drifted back and a splinter group decided they had had enough, and started their own United, FC United of Manchester.

Here 4thegame talks to Jules Spencer, a lifelong Manchester United fan, and former chairman of the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association, who is now a board member of the team currently lying top of the Moore & Co Construction Solicitors League Division Two.

FC United is six months old - how do you feel things have gone so far?
Amazing. We get asked all the time if it's going better than expected and I suppose that from the point of view our highest gate was nearly 4000, then I guess it is. But then I was always quietly confident that we'd make a success of it. The job now is to maintain and grow the club even further.

FC regularly get over 3,000 supporters for home games at Gigg Lane - who are these people, disenfranchised United fans or United fans who gave up trying to get a ticket years ago?
All walks of life. And that is exactly what we wanted. Those that refused to go to Old Trafford once Glazer took over, those that were priced out of top level football years ago, whole families, kids and their mates, school parties, the list could go on. The best sight of all though is kids enjoying themselves. They underpin everything this club is about. For far too long clubs at the top of the game have not addressed were their future support is going to come from, choosing to look to the short term rather than the opposite. We think we are going a long way to addressing that.

What do you want to say to Manchester United fans not happy about the takeover - but haven't ventured to FC United as yet?
Come down and make up your own mind about what it's like. We think you'll be pleasantly surprised. And don't believe for a minute any urban myths you may have heard about us being Anti-MUFC. Anyone witnessing supporters watching the Villa - United match in the pubs before our game against Barrow last weekend, will testify what United still means to FC fans.

Have you had any contact from Manchester United FC about the new club?
Not directly, no.

How do you feel about Manchester United and it's new owners now?
Manchester United are still my club as it is for the thousands who come to our games. You can't just switch that off. Exit from Europe still hurt even though you knew it could harm Glazers business plan. Draws against City and Liverpool were just as frustrating from afar as they would have been if I'd been there. The Glazers I hold in utter contempt.

Would you close FC United if the Glazers upped and left?
It's not for me or anyone else on the board to dictate this club's future. That will be decided by the supporters as they own the club. But it's important to stress that FC United is not just an anti-Glazer vehicle. Its about building something positive for the community. About providing a home for those that are sick and tired of the path that football has been heading down over the past decade. About supporter ownership. And it's those supporters who will dictate how far and for how long this club runs. That's not a political side-step, it's the truth.

FC United are flying high, smashing 10 past Castleton Gabriels earlier this month, and running away with the title. Do you think this immediate success will help attract more fans, or work against you in the long run by creating an expectation that it will always be this easy?
No, I think we're a fairly level headed bunch of supporters. We won't be taking anything for granted.

Are you optimistic that FC United of Manchester can live up to its manifesto and always remain a club for the people?
Without a doubt. In terms of principles we know what is important to us and the reasons why the club came about. In terms of ownership it will always be owned by it's supporters, the structure of the club prevents private owners taking over.

What are your long-term hopes for both Manchester United and FC United?
I hope one day Manchester United will be returned to its rightful owners, the supporters. And I hope FC United long continues to give us the same enjoyment it's giving us at the moment. In football terms some have said they live for the day when we draw 'Big United' in the FA Cup. I'd rather draw City. And knock them out.

Have your experiences this season changed your views on lower league or non-league football?
The standard of football is surprisingly high, and without sounding too philosophical, a winning goal is a winning goal and a last minute equaliser is a last minute equaliser, whatever the level of football. You still find yourself hugging a complete stranger whether at Craven Park or Villa Park.

How far do you think the current FC United squad can go?
The manager wants to keep his squad together for as long as possible. A number of our players have dropped down several divisions and for less money to play for us, so there's no reason why he shouldn't be able to.

Will FC United always be based in Bury - or are their plans to move the club to within Manchester?
Gigg Lane has been great for us and supporters have taken it to their hearts. But we aim to have our own ground at some point in the future.

Is running your own football club easier than trying to lobby the board of another?
Hah hah, what a great question. Don't know if it's easier, but a lot of it is more enjoyable in that we have more control of our future. Glazer aside the most disillusioning aspects for me personally in recent years was feeling we were continually banging our heads against a brick wall at United. United will claim they had to listen to all their supporters (which would have been fine if they had done) and not just IMUSA or other groups. But I felt personally as Chair they could have done more to recognise what IMUSA stood for and were trying to achieve for all supporters. It became increasingly disheartening to be constantly rebuffed.

Finally - do you have any regrets about your decision not to go to Old Trafford any more?
I'm sad in a way that it ever had to come to this. But it did and we had to deal with it. But all the positives that FC United bring every day, every time we play, every time you see players mixing with supporters after a game, every time you see a volunteer giving up their pre-match drink to sell programmes, every time the team run out; you know that what we've got at FC United can't be wrong.

To find out more about the club, check out the FC United website at www.fc-utd.co.uk...

Accountancy Age: Man Utd spin-off club appoints auditor

Source Accountancy Age

Anti-Glazier fans choose Beever & Struthers to review accounts
Paul Grant, Accountancy Age, 23 Dec 2005

FC United, the football club formed by disgruntled Manchester united fans following its takeover by Malcolm Glazier, has appointed Beever & Struthers as its auditor.

The club, currently top of Division Two of the North West Counties and regularly pulling in crowds of over 3,000, requires an auditor as a not-for-profit organisation.

Pete Munday, the FC United board member responsible for the club's financial matters said Beever & Struthers had been chosen because of their 'considerable experience' as auditors of other Industrial Provident Societies.

The Guardian: Christmas away day is no turkey

Christmas away day is no turkey
Source: The Guardian

Christmas away day is no turkey

Having swapped Barcelona for Barrow and Chelsea for Cheadle, FC United's Tony Howard is relishing the experience of Boxing Day at Flixton

Thursday December 22, 2005

After years of trips to Anfield or Goodison for a day of simmering inter-city rivalry, where 'Boxing' Day would often prove a lot more literal than festive; or journeys to daft places like Middlesbrough with a hangover, a date at Flixton beckons on Monday. Where? Well, it's about two miles from Old Trafford and, for many of us, that means we're walking off the Christmas turkey on the way to the game.

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The Boxing Day fixture has been a highlight of football fans' festive calendars for years; thinking about it helps you get through the rigours of Christmas Day and gives you something to look forward to when you've had one too many mince pies. It's just the excuse you need to get away from the family and down to the boozer with your mates, then into the ground to let off some steam. All while showing off your new trainers.

But how many Manchester United fans would have thought they would one day swap Anfield Road for Valley Road, Flixton? Then again, who would have thought of swapping Barcelona for Barrow, Arsenal for Accrington, or Chelsea for Cheadle? If the angel Gabriel himself had come down and visited me as I dragged myself up for last Boxing Day's match against Bolton and told me that this year I'd be going to Flixton, I'd have put it down to a drink-induced hallucination.

It's a strange world we now live in, but halfway through our first season and 13 points clear at the top of North West Counties Division Two, I wager my Christmas cracker prize that few regret their choice. Merry Fcumas.

Visit www.fc-utd.co.uk for more information about the club

News and Star: 2,303 cram in for FC United visit

Source: News and Star (Cumbria)

Published on 19/12/2005

FOR months people had been talking about this game, for months the excitement had been building - it didn’t disappoint.

Okay so Holker lost 2-0 to the might of FC United, the breakaway club formed by disenchanted Manchester United fans after the Malcolm Glazer takeover, but this wasn’t just about what happened on the pitch.

What this game will be remembered for will be the quite astonishing atmosphere created by a huge crowd of more than 2,303.

The Holker players - more used to playing in front of no more than 50 people at their Rakesmoor Lane home - probably had to pinch themselves when out of the Craven Park tunnel they came to be greeted by a deafening wall of noise.

And for 90 minutes it didn’t stop.

Thousands of travelling FC United fans had been signing about coming to Barrow for weeks on end, and they were here to enjoy themselves.

Packed onto the terracing at the Hindpool Road end of Barrow RL’s home, the Red Army sung their hearts out and waved their scarves as if they were back on the Stretford End of Old Trafford in the good old days.

In the second half, when the sea of red and white moved onto the Popular Side, the chanting moved with them.

When their side eventually scored, the rafters of the 74-year-old rugby ground probably shook, such was the noise.

This was something very special indeed. Yes, a big pay-day for Holker, but also a day to cherish for all concerned at the club.

On the pitch, the game was decided in the space of three second half minutes when a quick-fire double ensured FC United would be returning home to celebrate Christmas with another three points.

Up until then Holker - sixth bottom of North West Counties Division Two going into the game - had just about held their own against the runaway league leaders.

But with pressure mounting FC United took the lead on 64 minutes through a stunning Simon Carden strike.

The midfielder’s left-foot half-volley from 20 yards left Holker keeper Ross Liddicott no chance as it flew just inside his left upright.

Carden, though, shouldn’t really have been given the space to fire home following a Josh Howard through ball which should have been cut out by Holker defender Barry Stevens.

Three minutes later it was 2-0 as Adie Orr chipped the ball over Liddicott from just outside the box.

The striker profited from a sliced clearance from Stevens which went almost vertically up into the air and back down again.

As it bounced Orr reacted quickest, getting his toe end to the ball and lifting it over the helpless Liddicott.

The second goal killed the game off as a contest, and had it not been for smart stops by Liddicott the visitors could have added to their tally as Holker - who had given so much - tired.

The home side - who had taken to the boxing gym in preparation for the big game - actually had the better of the first-half, and had they been more clinical in front of goal could have been in front at the break.

Top goalscorer Paul Southward will probably more disappointed than most not to have hit the back of the net after having some glorious chances.

But, unable to take their opportunities, Holker were punished in the second period as FC United upped their game.

North West Evening Mail: Fc United Spoil Holker’s Party

Source: North West Evening Mail

FC UNITED SPOIL HOLKER’S PARTY
Published on 19/12/2005

HOLKER Old Boys chairman Steve Livingstone said he was proud of his club after a huge crowd of more than 2,300 watched the first-team lose 2-0 to FC United on Saturday.

Hundreds of travelling FC United fans sang for the full 90 minutes, creating a carnival atmosphere inside Craven Park for arguably the biggest game in Holker’s 69-year history.

Two second half goals in the space of three minutes earned the visitors the win, but for Holker it was a proud day.

Livingstone said: “All the effort that we had put in was made worthwhile, it was a brilliant day and everyone enjoyed it.

“The atmosphere was just tremendous and from what I know there was no trouble.

“The feedback I’ve had from everyone has been brilliant. The landlords from pubs around the ground said the atmosphere prior to kick-off was electric.

“I’m very proud of the club and it was great to see everyone mucking in together.”

The Moore and Co Construction Solicitors Division Two clash had been moved to Craven Park from Holker’s Rakesmoor Lane to accommodate a large crowd.

In total 2,303 people watched the game, with Holker selling around 900 tickets, FC United around 1,100 and the rest paying on the gate.

Livingstone hopes the game will have pocketed the club around £8,000.

He said: “That kind of money means we can start investing a little bit in the infrastructure at Rakesmoor Lane, making it more secure and creating a training area for our juniors.”

Holker were the better team in the first half of Saturday’s game, but they failed to take their chances and were punished by the league’s runaway leaders in the second period.

United’s first goal came in the 64th minute when midfielder Simon Carden hit a stunning volley past Ross Liddicott. Adie Orr added a second three minutes later.

Holker Old Boys manager Derek Birrell said: “The result is disappointing, but I think the lads can hold their heads up, FC United are a quality side.

“The atmosphere was great and it didn’t intimidate us. The lads did say though that it was so loud that they couldn’t hear each other or my instructions!”

FC United manager Karl Marginson — a former player with Barrow AFC — praised Holker’s work-rate and said they were “up there” with the best teams they have played so far this season.

* Livingstone this morning announced that Dave Staunton, who was joint-first-team manager at Holker, has left to rejoin West Lancashire League strugglers Furness Cavaliers.

Sunday Mirror: TEN POINTS CLEAR AND SO UNITED

Source: Sunday Mirror

18 December 2005
TEN POINTS CLEAR AND SO UNITED
By Ben Hunt

SIR ALEX FERGUSON is feeling the pressure at Manchester United but life for his counterpart at FC United of Manchester could not be more different.

While Fergie's flops are lagging behind Chelsea in the Premiership and suffered the humiliation of an early exit from the Champions League, FC United - the club set up by fans opposed to Malcolm Glazer's takeover - are enjoying the life at the top.

FC United are 10 points clear in the North West Counties Division Two - nine leagues below the Premiership - and last week recorded a 10-2 win over Castleton Gabriels.

Boss Karl Marginson believes the only pressure that which he is putting on himself to keep on winning.

"The only pressure I feel is the pressure I'm put on myself to do well," said life-long Manchester United fan Marginson. "I want to look after the players and results.

"Down at this level you sometimes end up getting results like 10-2, but they were bottom of the league and our tails were up a little bit.

"We have had a couple of decent results and been playing quiet well, but we have to keep that going."

Although favourites for promotion, Marginson insists he is not yet thinking about next season.

He added: "I am not thinking about being in the next division. The lads have already lost twice and that helps to keep their feet on the ground.

"It has also taught me a few lessons about complacency and we will definitely not be getting ahead of ourselves.

"Only if we are seven points ahead with two games to go would I look ahead to next year."

The club attracts some of the biggest crowds in non-league football, with an average attendance of 2,700, and Marginson says the money they bring to clubs on their away travels helps to safeguard their futures.

He said: "The attendances here are amazing. When we played Cheadle Town the day after George Best died, the atmosphere was unbelievable. The official attendance was 3,000 but it was more like 5,000."

Sunday World: Move Over Man U

Source: Sunday World (no online edition

MEN: Are you watching, Malcolm Galzer

Source: Manchester Evening News

Saturday, 17th December 2005
Are you watching, Malcolm Glazer?

THE rebel football club set up by Manchester United fans after the Malcolm Glazer takeover has been proving a massive hit.

And while the Red Devils have been stuttering in recent weeks, FC United now claims to be the fastest-growing football club in the world.

And to cope with its increasing popularity, the club has now advertised for a £25,000-a-year chief executive and an £18,000-a-year club secretary.

Despite being in the second division of the North West Counties League, seven leagues below the Premiership, gates at the semi-pro club are better than some professional outfits.

The club averages 2,738 spectators at the home matches it plays at Bury's Gigg Lane ground - more than their hosts, a professional club three leagues higher. As well as this, the club regularly takes the same number to away games.

It also boasts 3,500 members from as far afield as New Zealand and has sold 2,500 replica shirts in its inaugural season.

And 650 fans have paid £112 for season tickets, while matchday tickets cost £7 for adults and £2 for kids compared to £26, the cheapest at Old Trafford.

The players are paid about £40 a week, which is nowhere near the £100,000 a week Rio Ferdinand is reported to earn at United.

Apart from the price, fans say the other main factor persuading them to swap the Theatre of Dreams for Gigg Lane is the atmosphere.

Fans love the singing and the humour, which reminds them of what Old Trafford used to be like before corporate supporters - dubbed the "Prawn Sandwich Brigade" by former captain Roy Keane - were blamed for failing to take part in the chants.

FC United was formed after fans reacted with fury when Glazer, the Florida-based tycoon, bought the Old Trafford club for £790m just before the start of the season.

Acting chief executive Andy Walsh said: "There are thousands of people who cannot afford to go to top-flight football these days but still consider themselves to be supporters of top-flight teams.

"For too long, top-flight clubs have looked after corporate clients and taken ordinary fans for granted.

"We're offering those people who feel disenfranchised an alternative and it has been embraced by thousands of people, and we're welcoming new people all the time.

"The interest has been absolutely phenomenal. About a quarter of the gate is gangs of kids coming in on their own, the same way we used to.

"Nowadays getting a ticket for a Premiership game is a military operation. You have to apply with a credit card six weeks before the game and that's if you can afford it. A lot of people who come to our games are affording football for the first time in a long time. And one thing people comment on is the atmosphere. It's amazing, like football used to be."

Andy, a 43-year-old former IT worker from Urmston, who says he will apply for the chief executive position, last went to Old Trafford for the final game of last season. Now he says he will not return until owners with the best interests of the supporters at heart are in place.

He said: "I haven't turned my back on United. I've been a United fan for 43 years and I will always be a United fan.

"However, I won't put money into a Glazer business. He's not got the interests of the club at heart. He's only interested in the club financially."

Over at Old Trafford, Manchester United spokesman Phil Townsend said: "We wish them well."

The Guardian: When silence is golden

Source: The Guardian

When silence is golden

FC United's Tony Howard explains how a microphone jinx is the biggest problem blighting the club's current campaign

Friday December 16, 2005

The FC United crowd may have developed a reputation for making a racket, but, ironically, the club appears to have a jinx with microphones. The strange curse struck again at the club's Christmas party when a planned question-and-answer session with the manager, team and board members was cut short because the pesky sound system kept cutting out.

It was to be the first chance for founder members to quiz the club on the first few months of existence, but instead everyone was reduced to shouting to a packed room, leaving manager Karl Marginson and acting general manager Andy Walsh with damaged vocal chords. Before it got out of hand, though, Steve Torpey took the opportunity to reveal how he "dare" support Liverpool, and Margy put everyone at ease by promising not to leave for the vacant Old Trafford hot seat should Mr Ferguson exit.

Those on the top table were thankful they had an excuse to ignore the best question of the night from a child who must have been five years old. He simply asked: "When was football invented?" Cue blank looks from all present.

The latest audio setback came after months of continued problems with the sound system at Gigg Lane, which left some in the crowd shocked to learn that we do actually have people manning the PA. DJs Bobby B and Peanut are proud of their music selections, but no one else can really pass comment because we've hardly heard them. They do appear to have developed a taste for hip hop, given their unique Mancunian 'rapping' when making announcements. "And ... goal ... United ... score ... five ... minutes," being a typical example of their 'freestyling'.

They had their work cut out - literally - on Saturday as FC chalked up the North West Counties League scoring record with a 10-2 victory over Castleton Gabriels to continue to lead at the top of the table.

The lads themselves blame the amount of 'fatties' in the Manchester Road End for muffling the sound, and they have requested a ban on bubble jackets for the same reason. It may get better as the season wears on, but for now it appears to be more a case of the Sound of Silence than the Sound of Music emanating from the DJ booth on a match day. Anyway, when was football invented ...

North West Evening News: MARGINSON: THIS IS OUR EURO AWAY GAME

Source: North West Evening News

MARGINSON: THIS IS OUR EURO AWAY GAME
Published on 16/12/2005

FORMER Barrow AFC star defender Karl Marginson has a twofold mission tomorrow.

His primary objective — as manager of FC United — is to make certain his Manchester rebels beat Holker Old Boys at Craven Park (3pm kick-off).

When (and if) his main task is accomplished, Marginson will then get down to the serious business of meeting up with old friends for a Christmas drink.

“I’ve always liked Barrow,” said the 35-year-old, who made 78 appearances for the Bluebirds between 1996-1999.

“My time up there was probably my happiest time in football, and I still have mates up there such as Morty (Neil Morton) and Lee O’Keeffe.”

Marginson, who lives in the Urmston district of the city, supported the Red Devils from boyhood until last summer when FC United was born out of a massive pulse of disaffection caused by the Malcolm Glazer takeover at Old Trafford.

“It’s a working-class game, a game where you should be able to get your fingers dirty and where you shouldn’t have to pay a fortune at the turnstiles,” he said.

Marginson confirmed the 1200-plus FC United fans who are heading for Furness are regarding tomorrow’s trip as a special event in their calendar.

“Our fans are viewing the Barrow match as our Euro away game,” he said.

“When they supported Manchester United they used to go to the ends of the earth. So this is our Euro away game — and our Christmas party.”

Castleton Gabriels (Home) 10-2

a cracking game and a crackin atmosphere - FC winning 10-2

Click here for foties

All the Manchester Reds

Source: L'Equipe (no online content, for English translation scroll past the scans).






English translation:

There used to be Manchester United … here is FC United, which has existed as a dissident team ever since an American showed up with his millions. The result: a shared passion that divides families.

Stuart Davies has still not come round to it. At sixty-two this dedicated Manchester United supporter doesn’t understand the choice his eldest son, Andrew, has made. After thirty years of shared thrills at Old Trafford, he has seen his son turn his back on Man U and support the dissidents of FC United of Manchester, ten divisions lower. “But why do you go to watch them?” barks the father, while munching a steak in the Malmaison brasserie in the heart of the city. A few weeks ago, Stuart accompanied his son to an FC United match, an occasion he judges, with irony, “amusing”. “That’s because we don’t go to the game for the same reasons”, his son retorts tactfully. You like the game, and me, the atmosphere. At Old Trafford, in the last fifteen years, ordinary supporters, families, have been driven away or split up. Today, a season ticket doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be next to your mates in the stand. What’s more, you’re obliged to sit down, you’re surrounded by stewards. With FC United, it’s different. With FC United I’ve rediscovered the ambience of Old Trafford twenty years ago. And then, I was one of those who didn’t want to sanction the takeover of the club by the American businessman Malcolm Glazer. When some supporters disillusioned with Manchester United created the club, I followed them by becoming a member, my membership also means I’m one of the club’s proprietors.”

Stuart sits up, rests his hands on the back of his head and holds forth in his Welsh accent. “English football has certainly changed. But the blame lies mainly with Rupert Murdoch, and his blasted Sky. The scheduling of Premier League matches is crazy, the price of seats in the stadiums has become very expensive ?” (30 pounds - 44.3 euros for Manchester United, 5 pounds - 7.4 euros for FC United.)

1.30 p.m. The lunch between father and son has finished. There’s just time for a manly handshake on the steps of the restaurant, then each goes his separate way to support “his” team. Stuart strolls around Old Trafford, his match not due to begin till 3.30 p.m. Andy hurries to nearby Piccadilly station. At 3.00 precisely, “Little United” confront New Mills at Macclesfield, thirty kilometres from Manchester. Scarcely has he left the train when his mate Andrew, another indefatigable supporter of FC, pops up from the crowd. While a crowd of FC supporters walk from the station, despite the drizzle, the two friends opt for a taxi, so as to knock back a pint before the match. In the parking lot by the corrugated iron stands at the Church Lane end of the stadium, they meet Andy Walsh, the club’s general manager, who is busy selling FCU badges and scarves out of the back of his estate car.

“Thanks to donations (1 pound for one share in the club) from our 3,500 members, we have raised £170,000 (251,140 euros). But that’s not sufficient if we want to sustain and develop the club”, explains Walsh. Nevertheless, they have got off to a good start: last summer, more than 900 players put themselves forward for FC United, 200 passed the trials and 17 have been retained. Like Jonathan Mitten, who agreed to descend 5 divisions, or the goalkeeper Phil Priestley, who played at Bangor City, but who has since left, having been unable to get a place in the FC team.

After a minute’s silence in memory of George Best, the match begins while 600 FCU supporters sing one of the 40 songs from their eclectic repertoire. “We all live in the Georgie Best boat, the Georgie Best boat, the Georgie Best boat!” On the pitch, “Little United’s” players confirm their
incipient status as predators of the North West Counties League (FC United is top of the table). By half-time, they have already stunned their opponents with two goals thanks to the local David Beckham, the whirlwind no. 10, a former 3rd division player. The rain doubles in intensity, but it can’t quench the frenetic enthusiasm of the supporters.

In their war against commercialised football, one of their favourite targets remains the stewards. They thought that they would be rid of them on leaving Old Trafford, but as FCU draw more than 2,000 supporters to each match, the host teams have subsequently made use of security services. So in the second half of the game a steward is subjected to a good-humoured diatribe. His bushy moustache provokes a machine-gun rhythm chant. “Moustach, stach, stach, stach, stach”, chorus the swaying supporters, forcing the steward to retreat.

The match ends on a decisive score: 5-0 for the visitors and their manager, Karl Marginson, a deliveryman and long-time follower of Man U, a masterly combination of speed, attack and virile defence to a man. After a session of hugging between players and supporters, the latter decamp to the pubs to watch “Big United’s” match.

At the other end of the city, Stuart Davies is already installed in the stand at Old Trafford, behind the goal. Before taking his place in the still half-empty stadium, he meditated for a few moments before the railings in front of the stadium and the flowers, football shirts and scarves laid there in memory of George Best. His head bowed, Stuart then went into the stadium café for a cup of tea. Five minutes before kick off, a friend and neighbour arrived in the stand. Separated by 15 metres, the 2 men will remain seated throughout the match, finally won (3-0) by Manchester. Before meeting once more and returning home by car.

For his part, Andy sang of the glory of “Little United” while watching the stream of images of “Big U” in the pub opposite the station in Macclesfield. In the middle of players and supporters united in the cult of beer as the evening begins.

Jérôme Cazadieu
10th December 2005

The Guardian: Long Live Punk Football

Source: The Guardian

Tony Howard explains how FC United have found themselves at the forefront of the game's newest sub-culture

Friday December 9, 2005

An anarchists' book fayre is probably the last place you'd expect to find a football club, but FC United had a starring role at a Manchester event last weekend. Among the anti-capitalist, anti-establishment, anti-ID card and anti-everything literature, I discovered a piece on our erstwhile football club.

"F'CUM Punk football!" screamed the back page of issue 79 of 'Resistance - the anarchist bulletin', with the author lamenting "the start of the end for commercial football".

Let's get one thing straight, I never set out deliberately to go there; I simply wandered in off the street after getting caught short en route to Macclesfield for FC's latest adventure against New Mills in the divisional cup. I was therefore pleasantly surprised to discover just how far the club has impacted upon alternative culture.

Fans have long promoted FCUM as purveyors of 'punk football' after the phrase was coined on independent fans' website www.fcunitedofmanchester.co.uk, while FC fanzine Under the Boardwalk recently had a 'Punk issue' and there are banners bearing the slogan at matches.

And save for manager Martyn Margetson wearing a nose ring and wing wizard Steve Torpey swapping his mullet for a Mohawk, the phrase is perfectly apt. As the punk movement grew through fans' distaste of the mainstream music they were being served, so FC United has hatched, and currently thrives on football supporters' dissatisfaction with mainstream football.

Punk had no rules and the very essence of anarchy is the principle of 'self policing', a process replicated at FC games where the local constabularies no longer provide a significant presence at matches. Even the initials FCUM provide a perfect punk slogan; custom-made to be sprayed on a press-studded leather jacket. The dodgy barnets sported by Messrs Torpey and Rory Patterson also add to the shock factor so loved by punks.

So there you have it - as 1976 was the defining year for punk music then 2005 is year zero for 'punk football'. We can only hope our own brand of anarchy will succeed where punk failed and we'll see the hierarchy fall as we claim back the game that is rightfully ours.

Incidentally, Torpey, mullet et al, swapped his infamous thong for a pair of Speedo's in the driving Cheshire rain, scoring a hat-trick in the 5-0 win. All against a backdrop of supporters pogoeing across the terraces to a beat of their own. Long live punk football.

Eurosport: KEANE ON FC UNITED?

Source: Eurosport

Roy Keane has been the hot topic of conversation around Europe this week, as the final destination of the now former Manchester United midfielder remains uncertain.

All the biggest and best clubs in Europe have been mentioned in the same sentence as Keane since the hard man left by mutual consent/was sacked following his now infamous TV interview outburst.

Clubs from the stature of Real Madrid all the way down to the likes of Portsmouth have reportedly been interested in the Irishman, but one (un)likely option has been missed by the British media.

Inside Europe's bet is on Keane staying in Manchester... not signing for City though - he'd never be able to after his horrific attack on Alfie Haaland - but instead opting for FC United, the unofficial offshoot club of the Premiership club, created by fans opposed to the takeover of Manchester United by Malcolm Glazer.

Ex team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reportedly already offered his services to the North West Counties League Second Division side, strengthening our belief that Keane's signature for the fledgling club is not as ridiculous as it sounds.

FCUM artikel in Ajax fanzine Dappre Strijders

Thanks to AjaxRed for letting me know about this - to see AjaxReds excellent Blog click here

Lancashire Life: United They Stand

Source: Lancashire life (no copy online)









Click each image above to see full page

New Mills Away 5-0 (Cup)

Managed to somehow get a pass for this game but the weather was so bad i wished i hadn't -miserable day brightened up by a good result

My Full Gallery Here

Outside the Green Door #4

Twomowers…if he was a dog he’d bark at kids on the roundabout in Delamere park
Outside the Green Door

It’s Best by bus
Georgie’s death was generally treated with great respect from nearly all football fans. Football is meant to be entertainment (not business) and that’s what Georgie did best. Of course there were always gonna be a few who thought the tributes/mourning/grieving was a bit over the top but there haven’t been many proper geniuses, you won’t see owt like him in the game again so the accolades etc. were appropriate in this case. Let’s face it, you’d have paid to watch him tie up his Stylo Matchmakers, he’s the reason many got into football and are still watching it today and that’s why there were so many tributes, not just from United fans but from fans all over the place.
Anyways as someone on the telly said ‘life throws up little coincidences’ referring to the first game at O.T. following Georgie’s death against West Brom, the team he made his debut against and reference was also made to the match at Benfica and the obv relevance of that game. But there was another. Me and a small East Manchester firm were going to watch FC United the satdee after Georgie passed away. The game against (bullied) Cheadle was once again moved, this time to Edgeley Park. It meant that we could get the number 7 bus from Capital rd. in Openshaw all the way to Stockport town centre. The red no.7 picked us up and made its way through Abbey-on-the-Hey and then headed for Reddish SK5 where, the greatest twat in all the land and all the world Mike Doyle comes from. The no.7 skilfully bobbed in and out of the traffic as if to say to Doyle, ha - try and stop me Doyle you clumsy bastard, but did Doyle stop our red no.7? Did he fookin ‘ellerslike. The offers on at Bargain Booze – where they make life richer for the pourer - on Reddish rd. nearly tempted us, in a Georgie kinda way, but fortunately our no.7 didn’t stray from its goal and we breezed into Stocky. We had beers and sung Georgie Best world and went to the match and sung it more. It was a good day, the no.7 had delivered. It was just a shame that I couldn’t be at the West Brom game. Under the circumstances I decided that the best tribute was to neck a box of wine* and not turn up. Cheers Judd.
* Stowell’s Temperanillo temporarily £9.99 at kwik save for 3 litres.

Light Dinner
The Openshaw chrimbo lights were switched on early this year by various celebrities from the council’s Hooper St. depot. Why not give them a visit this yuletide? (the lights not the council lads – durr brain). Don’t bother having your tea first cos every other fookin shop on the Old Rd. is now a fookin takeaway. I don’t know - the art of home cooking has all but gone through the fookin window as the arse falls out of society as we know it. They’ll be watching the baked’s speech eating kebabs round our way this year.

The Guardian: FC United

Source: The Guardian

FC United's Tony Howard

Thursday December 1, 2005

It was a week for remembering legends at FC United - red heroes past, present and passed away.

Recently departed Russell Delaney, one of the club's board members and instrumental figure in the club's formation, was honoured with a minute's applause at the home match against New Mills. On Saturday another hero - arguably United's greatest ever player, George Best - was honoured with a similar tribute away against Cheadle.

Many United fans have favoured the idea of applause over silence after experiencing one such tribute at Juventus several years ago. It makes perfect sense, and when Russell's family made the request we were happy to oblige by paying a fitting tribute to a man who would have hated the very notion of a 'silence' in his honour. Similarly, Georgie would have preferred the tribute he got at West Ham on Sunday.

The shrine of flowers and other items at Old Trafford includes many FC United contributions. It also includes heartfelt odes from Leeds and Liverpool supporters - proof that only a tiny minority of their supporters are bereft of decency and respect.

Meanwhile, reds of an FC persuasion also hailed more recent players, with Roy Keane's name sung at both games this week after he was cheekily linked with a move to the club in a local newspaper. Keane was joined in the terrace pop charts by Eric Cantona after the French messiah waxed lyrical about FC in the club programme, sparking a swift "Eric Cantona's an FC United fan" chant. We still hope he will cement his support by pledging his name in some way.

Still, in the absence of such heroes, a new generation are blossoming. Winger Steve Torpey turned in another blistering performance as FC beat New Mills 6-1, before the weekend trip to Stockport's Edgeley Park saw a barnstorming game finish 3-3, courtesy of a last-minute United equaliser.

It was a fitting finale to an emotional and historic week.

MEN: FC United: Russ a true football hero

Source: Manchester Evening News

FC United: Russ a true football hero
Stuart Brennan

RUSSELL Delaney was a true football hero. And it was fitting that, on a night when the names of Roy Keane and George Best were on the lips of FC United supporters at Gigg Lane, that of the modest Red was also sung, loud and proud.

Russell had been a founder of FC United and his fellow board members decided that, rather than the usual minute's silence to mark his death earlier this month, they would hold a minute's applause.

The FC supporters, in their own inimitable fashion, turned that into a lyrical tribute to the man.

FC United general manager Andy Walsh said: "The idea that we should mark Russell's passing with a minute's silence would have filled him with horror, so we paid our tribute with a minute's applause and singing in the spirit of FC United."

Russell died of pulmonary sarcoidosis, a condition that affects the heart and lungs, just months after the fight to prevent Malcolm Glazer's takeover of his beloved Manchester United, in which he was a main mover, had failed.

But he also died knowing that from the ashes of that effort had risen the success story of FC United.

The 47-year-old would travel from his home in the south-east of England for supporters' meetings when the fight against the Glazers was at its height, the oxygen tanks sometimes needed to help him breathe tucked into the foot-well on the passenger side of his car.

Russell knew in the last few months of his life that he needed a heart and lung transplant, which may have extended his life by four or five years, but he continued to try to effect a supporter takeover of United, and then to bring about the birth of FC United, undaunted.

Leading the tributes to Russell was Walsh, a close associate of his in the fight against Glazer and the formation of FCUM.

Supporters

Russell's troubles began when he caught tuberculosis as a teenager, weakening his lungs. His health was further affected when he picked up an infection when he travelled to watch United play in Barcelona in 1984.

His condition worsened down the years, but he was determined to oppose the Glazer takeover. He had urged supporters to try to take over the club themselves as long ago as 1989.

Walsh said: "Russell was actually in hospital when Glazer made his move in May. Russell had been our contact with the camp of John Magnier and JP McManus, who had assured us the day before that there was nothing in the offing. He had discussed with them the possibility of the supporters buying their stake in the club and had set up a meeting with former Football League chairman Keith Harris and the Nomura bank to that end.

"When the Glazers took over, Russell himself felt personally responsible because he didn't see it coming, but that was nonsense.

"He threw himself into establishing FC after that - I remember that in the run-up to the deadline for admission to the North West Counties League he spent the best part of 36 hours in our office in Rusholme, filling in paperwork, researching details and establishing the club's constitution.

"It all had to be done in two weeks and that would not have happened without Russ."

Russell lived long enough to realise that his hard work had resulted in a great success - FC United's three home attendances in October all broke the 3,000 barrier.

The tribute took place at the first home game since his death, against New Mills. FC United manager Karl Marginson dedicated the Rebels' 6-1 win to Russell.

He said: "It is only right to dedicate this win to Russ. Any victory that we get we appreciate because if it wasn't for Russ and the steering committee he was such a big part of, then I wouldn't be here and neither would anyone else.

"I can't describe how brave a man he was. I am just sad I didn't get to know him for longer."

Russell's family have asked that anyone wishing to make a donation in his memory should do so to FC United. Payments should be made to the Russell Delaney Memorial Fund and sent to 104 Ducie House, Ducie Street, Manchester M1 2JW.

FC UNITED'S home game with Chadderton, due to be played tonight, has been postponed.

The pitch is frozen and, even though a thaw was expected today, the groundsmen say it will not leave them sufficient time to prepare the pitch.

Stockport Express: A thrill-a-minute!

Source: Stockport Express

Cheadle Town 3
FC United 3

A GOAL just nine seconds from time prevented Cheadle Town from gaining a famous victory over FC United at Edgeley Park on Saturday.

Dave Chadwick bundled the ball over the line to break Cheadle’s hearts in a thrilling North West Counties league encounter.

However, it was probably the right result in front of a noisy 3,374 crowd, the second-highest non-league attendance in England on the day which also topped the gates at seven League Two games.

After just four minutes Adie Orr sprung the Cheadle offside trap but his shot hit the post.

Cheadle responded well and drew first blood when Vinny Braine crossed from the right for Andy Lindon who rammed the ball into the net.

‘You’ll pay for scoring first’ roared the United fans in the Robinsons Stand, and when a free-kick from Steve Torpey skidded into the net and soon after Simon Carden put the Reds in front, the delirious fans shouted ‘We warned you not to score first’.

But Cheadle were not finished and in a thrill-a-minute second half they battled back with two goals in 10 minutes. Braine coolly picked his spot to level matters, and Dean Martin put the home side in front.

United then put Cheadle under severe pressure and Troy Whittle made a superb double save.

On 80 minutes United were awarded a spot-kick which Rory Patterson smashed against the crossbar, and it looked as though Cheadle might hold out for the three points.

That was until the final few seconds when United grabbed their equaliser, but both sides were afforded a rousing reception as they left the field following a really cracking match.

Edgeley Park chief steward Gordon Taylor later praised the fans from both sides. "They were all magnificent," he said.

"They didn’t cause us an ounce of trouble."

On Saturday Cheadle are away at Darwen in the League’s Divisional Cup.

First published by the Stockport Express

Stockport Express: It was the Best of times, it was the worst of times - town pays tribute

Source: Stockport Express

It was the Best of times, it was the worst of times - town pays tribute

EDGELEY Park erupted into spontaneous cheers on Saturday as fans of FC United and Cheadle Town said goodbye to George Best.

A bumper gate of 3,373 gave the Old Trafford legend a rousing send off on the ground where he played three matches for Stockport County in 1975.

As silences were observed around the country, including County’s game at Mansfield, the people of Stockport paid their respects to ‘Georgie’ by laying flowers outside his former home in Bramhall and shirts and cards outside Edgeley Park.

Emotions ran high inside the ground, particularly with so many Manchester United followers present. And For Cheadle Town's chairman it was a poignant moment, having watched Best's first ever United match against West Brom in September 1963.

Chris Davies said: "It started with a silence for about 15-20 seconds and it just erupted into a clap and people started chanting his name.

"I saw most of the halcyon days of George Best, he was a tremendous player."

Julian Spencer, FC United spokesman, said that it was ‘a very emotional’ day.

He added: "We are all still Manchester United fans. Unfortunately some of us are a bit too young to have seen him play but many people have said that he’s the greatest player that these shores have produced.

"There are going to be a million and one ideas as to how best to commemorate his life."

Des Hinks, County spokesman, added: "We were all deeply saddened by the loss of George. He increased the gates five fold for his first appearance for Stockport County and was a class above, there was no question about that. In the fourth division his talent shone out like a beacon."

George Best died on Friday of multiple organ failure at London’s Cromwell Hospital. He will be buried in his home town of Belfast this Saturday, December 3. after a funeral service at Stormont.

First published by the Stockport Express

Cheadle (away)

Again no pass for this but did manage to get down onto the pitch for the last 10 minutes

Click here for the gallery

Thanks to soulandy on the unofficial site - i also have this video enjoy!

Daily Star Sunday: Fan United

Source Daily Star Sunday (article not available online)


Click Image above to read full story

Daily Mail on Saturday: United We Stand

Source Daily Mail Saturday (article not available online)


Click image above for bigger

RIP Georgie

Miss of the season?

Fair play to rory for wearing the jesters hat immediately after the game and not waiting a week to be awarded it

Click here to see it

Stockport Express: Another big day for Town

Source: Stockport Express
Published: 23rd November 2005
Another big day for Town

LITTLE Cheadle Town are hoping to be record breakers this Saturday when they play FC United in a Moore & Co Solicitors League fixture.

The game has been switched to Stockport County’s Edgeley Park stadium to help accommodate the legions of Reds fans who will be travelling to Cheshire from all over the country.

Cheadle expect Saturday’s attendance to top 4,000, a figure which would create a new league record and almost certainly be the highest non-league attendance of the day in this country.

The atmosphere generated by the FC United fans is unique and has helped their support to grow.

Their biggest home game at Gigg Lane so far this season was the 3,808 which saw them play Daisy Hill.

However, with the game against Cheadle being a local ‘derby’, it is expected that Cheadle themselves will have a very large following.

Admission is £7 (adults) and £4 (concessions), with the ‘away’ support set to be housed in the Robinson Brewery stand and the ‘home’ fans in the Printerland stand. Kick off is at 3pm.

Cheadle recently hosted FC United in a league cup tie of course - a match which was played at Curzon Ashton’s Tameside Stadium. United won that match 5-1.

First published by the Stockport Express

New Mills (home)

An emotional game with the match preceeded with a minutes applause for board member and essential part of FC Uniteds history - Russell Delaney

Photo gallery here

The Times: Ferguson rallies fans in United's hour of need / Interest from clubs slows as problems become apparent

Ferguson rallies fans in United's hour of need
Source: Edited from The Times

(edited from longer article regarding Ferguson and MUFC)

United supporters have suffered more than a few knockbacks in recent times. While they could brush off recent accusations of “stupidity” by Carlos Queiroz, the assistant manager, some were so disenfranchised by the Glazer family’s takeover last summer and by the perceived lack of resistance shown by men such as Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton that they sought to establish a breakaway club, FC United of Manchester, who are ploughing their way through the Moore & Company Construction Solicitors second division and targeting a place in the Football League by 2012. The Glazer takeover was not the only reason for the formation of the breakaway club. There was a growing feeling of alienation in the stands from the team, from multimillionaires with little regard for those who were indirectly financing their glamorous lifestyles.


Interest from clubs slows as problems become apparent
Source: The Times (Edited from longer article)
(edited from longer article regarding Roy Keanes departure from MUFC)


Or, and perhaps this is less fanciful than it may first appear, Keane could cross town and join FC United. His rants against the “prawn sandwich eaters” and the rampant commercialisation of the sport indicate that his philosophy is not so different from the hardcore United supporters who walked away after the Malcolm Glazer takeover. It would be a way for him to burnish his image, not only among United fans but among football purists worldwide. And he would not even have to move house as he plays a little football and completes his coaching badges.

The Guardian: Colne inflict FC United's first defeat

Source: The Guardian

Tony Howard reports on a shock loss for FC United against Colne

Friday November 18, 2005

FC United fans who remember the 80s milk advert where one Scouse kid says to the other: "Accrington Stanley, who they?" received some enlightenment last weekend when they visited their ground. Accrington's neighbours Colne provided the opposition in the North West Counties League Cup.

All present saw a good old traditional cup tie with goals, great saves, near misses and a brawl. Colne are in the league above United, so the visitors found themselves in the unusual position of being the underdogs.


Those paying the £6 admission got their first sight of new FC signing Josh Howard. The ex-Manchester United youngster captained a youth team featuring John O'Shea and Luke Chadwick, and he could become FC's first international, thanks to his Guyanan grand-parentage.

His dream of an international debut was ruled out last season through injury while playing at Mossley, but in this form he is sure to get another call up. The game remained goalless thanks to two great saves from United keeper Barrie George, but with just three minutes to go, it exploded.

First, Colne's Chris Clarke scored a great curling shot to make it 1-0. Then FC's infamous thong-wearer, Steve Torpey, won a free kick and picked himself up to bury the ball in the bottom corner, sending the travelling hordes into raptures. But no sooner had our dreams of securing a glamour-trip to Timperley began than Colne went straight down the other end, caught FC United's defence napping and scored the winner.

A melee then ensued on the touchline involving players and management from both sides, but it was all forgotten with handshakes at the final whistle. Those in attendance may still be wondering just 'exactly' who Stanley are, but they won't be forgetting their trip to Accrington in a hurry.

FC United's next home game is against New Mills on Wednesday, November 23 at Gigg Lane, Bury. Kick off is 7.45pm and admission is £7 adults and £2 under 18s.

NW Evening News: Capacity limits for Holker

Source: NW Evening News

Published on 17/11/2005

THE crowd capacity for Holker Old Boys’ game with FC United at Craven Park on December 17 has been set at under 3,000.

But Barrow RL director Tony Colyer wants Cumbria County Council to have a re-think.

The rugby club board meeting was last night told that the council safety officer had imposed a limit of 2,779.

Said Colyer: “There is a 4,500 capacity for the rugby, but a football match is regarded differently.

“They take into account things like football crowds surging forward against the perimeter walls."

Accrington Observer: Fans flock for FCUM

Source: Accrington Observer


"WEREN’T Stanley away this weekend?" came the confused cry of a war veteran making his way up Whalley Road after the Remembrance Day parade on Sunday.

The gent was right, but his curiosity remained high as he called into the Crown Inn – packed with football fans donned in 1970s-style red and white bar scarves.

FC United of Manchester were in town, bringing with them their unique brand of ‘punk football’ on a crusade to bring the beautiful game back to its working class roots.

Formed by disillusioned Manchester United supporters after Malcolm Glazer’s takeover, FC United regularly attract more than 2,500 supporters to their games – nine divisions down from the Premiership.

They campaign for lower ticket prices, lower player wages and a return to regular 3pm Saturday kick-offs, free from the influence of Sky Sports.

And it is all going well so far with FC United topping the North West Counties Division Two but last Sunday, they faced their biggest test so far - against Division One side Colne in the NWCL Challenge Cup with the game switched to Stanley’s Interlink Express Stadium to cope with demand.

In fact, 2,762 people witnessed an entertaining 2-1 win for Colne to set a new highest attendance at the ground this season.

Before the game, a two-minute silence in memory of fallen war heroes was impeccably observed and a high-spirited atmosphere continued throughout the match.

And despite being knocked out of the cup, visiting supporters kept the party going long afterwards.

And the verdict from behind the bar, Crown Inn landlady Barbara Thistlethwaite said: "We are used to getting different away fans when Stanley play at home, but this was a bit different.

"The atmosphere was a lot more jovial. The fans were singing all afternoon, but there was no swearing and everyone was so well behaved."

She added: "They treated the place with respect and all wore poppies too. I would definitely welcome them back anytime."

The Oaklea club’s general manager Brian Harkness said: "The bar was absolutely packed all day – before and after the game.

"It was a really jolly atmosphere and there wasn’t a hint of aggravation all day.

"About a hundred of the fans came in after the game had finished and joined in with our Sunday afternoon entertainment. It was brilliant."

FC United of Manchester return to Accrington on 28 January when they play Great Harwood Town.

Dale Haslam


First published by the Accrington Observer

ManU's Children of the Revolution

Ropey Altavista translation here

Source: Der Standard (Austria)


Das echte Manchester United heißt FC United und kickt im tiefsten Keller - Dort sind gar nicht wenige Ex-Fans von ManU zu Hause

Manchester - Die Kinder der Revolution feiern bei bitterem Bier und Essigchips. "Wer gibt den Entrechteten eine Mission?", brüllen 200 angeheiterte Engländer im "Swan & Cemetery"-Pub und recken ihre Arme synchron in Richtung eines Mannes, der an einer Flasche Beck's-Bier Halt sucht. "Nur Andy Walsh schafft das!" Der genießt mit einem schüchternen Lächeln.

Andy Walsh (43), ehemals Journalist, ist inzwischen hauptberuflich Seelenretter des Fußballs in Manchester. Er ist angetreten, einen übermächtigen Dämon zu bekämpfen. Walsh ist Chef des FC United of Manchester, einem Auswuchs der Protestbewegung gegen die Verwandlung des großen Vereins aus der Nachbarschaft in ein Spekulationsobjekt von Finanzinvestoren. Jetzt will er es den Managern von Manchester United heimzahlen. "Ohne Fans gibt es keinen Fußball. Das werden die da oben noch begreifen", sagt Walsh in den Katakomben des alten Wellblechstadions von Bury an der Gigg Lane, der provisorischen Heimstatt seines neuen Vereins, 16 Kilometer nördlich von Manchester.


Es ist gerade eine halbe Stunde her, da hat sich Walshs Truppe in der untersten englischen Liga für die Genesung der gebrochenen ManU-Herzen die Seele aus dem Leib gerannt. Fast 4000 Fans haben 90 Minuten ohne Unterlass Sprechchöre angestimmt. Sie haben Sir Alex Ferguson, den Trainer von ManU, verspottet und den FC besungen, als ginge es um den Europacup. Zu Auswärtsspielen bringt der FC United mehr Zuschauer mit als mancher Premier-League-Klub. Tagesgegner Daisy Hill wird nebenbei mit 6:0 vom Platz geschossen. Trotzdem war es der große Auftritt für die Daisys. Normalerweise verlieren sich bei Spielen der zweiten Division der so genannten North West Counties Football League, die der FC United nach zwölf Spielen anführt, um die 70 Zuschauer.

Es ist gerade eine halbe Stunde her, da hat sich Walshs Truppe in der untersten englischen Liga für die Genesung der gebrochenen ManU-Herzen die Seele aus dem Leib gerannt. Fast 4000 Fans haben 90 Minuten ohne Unterlass Sprechchöre angestimmt. Sie haben Sir Alex Ferguson, den Trainer von ManU, verspottet und den FC besungen, als ginge es um den Europacup. Zu Auswärtsspielen bringt der FC United mehr Zuschauer mit als mancher Premier-League-Klub. Tagesgegner Daisy Hill wird nebenbei mit 6:0 vom Platz geschossen. Trotzdem war es der große Auftritt für die Daisys. Normalerweise verlieren sich bei Spielen der zweiten Division der so genannten North West Counties Football League, die der FC United nach zwölf Spielen anführt, um die 70 Zuschauer.

Phönix aus der Asche

Die Geschichte des FC United of Manchester könnte von Charles Dickens sein. Der Ausbeuter der Working Class heißt hier Malcolm Glazer. Am 12. Mai dieses Jahres übernimmt der US-Investor ManU für 1,2 Milliarden Euro und setzt seine Söhne Bryan, Avi und Joel in den Vorstand. Der Deal läuft großteils über Kredite. Seine Schulden, 800 Millionen Euro, überschreibt Glazer dem Klub. Am Abend versammeln sich hunderte Fans vor Old Trafford, der ehrwürdigen Fußball-Arena im Westen der Stadt. Die Ruhe ist gespenstisch. "Es war, als hätten wir jemanden zu Grabe getragen", sagt Walsh.

Die Wiederauferstehung erfolgt noch am selben Abend. Im "Rush Home", einem Pub in Südmanchester, trifft sich ein Dutzend frustrierter Fans und beschließt, den eigenen Klub zu gründen. Die erste Satzung wird auf Schmierzetteln notiert. Ein basisdemokratischer Verein muss her, die Finanzen transparent, jedes Mitglied mit eigener Stimme, das Team ein Produkt von Volkes Willen. Zehn Tage später versammeln sich 700 Unterstützer zum ersten Meeting, zwei Wochen darauf sind es bereits 2000, die den FC United of Manchester begründen. Anfang Juli hat der Klub schon 100.000 Pfund von 4000 Spendern. Im neuen Fanzine Under The Boardwalk begründen Autoren wie "Lenin" die Wichtigkeit eines anständigen Aufstands und rechtfertigen mit Zeilen des großen Lord Byron den im Fußball notwendigen Hass. Unterdessen bekunden Fußballfans aus der ganzen Welt ihre Solidarität.

Für die Rekrutierung des Teams setzt Walsh eine Anzeige in den lokalen Zeitungen. 900 Spieler aus aller Welt bewerben sich. Nach einem Casting unter der Leitung von Trainer Karl Marginson bleiben von 228 eingeladenen Spielern 18 übrig. Drei sind Halbprofis mit einem Gehalt von 70 Pfund pro Match.

Eine, die den Jungs an der Gigg Lane von der ersten Stunde an zujubelt, ist Maureen Pelham. Als Kleinaktionärin von Manchester United hatte die 57-Jährige einen unbeantworteten Protestbrief gegen Glazers Plan an die britische Wettbewerbsbehörde geschickt. Jetzt verkauft die Lady im beigen Wildledermantel im Stadion von Bury ehrenamtlich Programmhefte zu zwei Pfund. "Das hier ist eine unglaublich positive Veranstaltung", sagt Pelham. "Der FC hat all das wiedergebracht, was wir in den alten Tagen bei United erlebt haben." Sie muss es wissen. 1957, als Neunjährige, war Maureen mit dem Vater zum ersten Mal bei ManU. Seitdem hat sie kein wichtiges Match verpasst. Auch nicht den Meistercup-Triumph 1968 und das legendäre 2:1 gegen Bayern München im Finale der Champions League 1999 in Barcelona. Noch immer hält sie eine Dauerkarte in Old Trafford. Bezahlen muss sie dafür inzwischen 608 Pfund. Trotzdem geht sie immer noch hin, denn "ich liebe das Team und hasse den Klub. Es ist eine Schande. Ein Amerikaner, der unsere Tradition weder kennt noch schätzt, kommt und beutet unseren Verein aus."

Für die Chefetage der Manchester United Aktiengesellschaft ist der Protestklub ein Zwergenaufstand, den Medien künstlich aufgeblasen haben. Die Spiele seien wie gewohnt ausverkauft, die Stimmung im Stadion könne besser nicht sein. "Ein Klub, der an die Börse geht, muss damit leben, dass sein Besitzer wechseln kann. Da gibt es immer wen, der enttäuscht ist", sagt eine Pressesprecherin - und wünscht dem FC United viel Glück für die Zukunft.

Andy Walsh ist vom Siegeszug seines FC United überzeugt. Während seine Spieler im "Swan & Cemetery" zusammen mit den Fans "Children of the Revolution" grölen, fabuliert er vom Aufstieg und einem eigenen Stadion. Nach Bury sollen die Fans nicht mehr fahren müssen. "Wir werden da spielen, wo das Herz von ManU schlägt - ganz in der Nähe von Old Trafford." (DER STANDARD, Printausgabe, Montag, 14. November 2005, Tim Farin, Christian Parth*)

*Tim Farin und Christian Parth bilden das Kernteam des Büros für Stilsicherheit, einer Kölner Journalistenagentur mit Netzwerk in ganz Deutschland.

MEN: FC star's international hopes

Source: Manchester Online
Stuart Brennan


LIFE-LONG United fan Josh Howard left the Reds for non-League spells with Stalybridge, Hyde and Mossley before arriving at FC United.

Now he has another ambition - to become the new club's first international player.

When the Manchester lad was at Mossley, the football association in Guyana discovered his grandfather was from their country - and promptly invited him to play for them in a friendly against Barbados.

Howard was recovering from an operation on a dislocated shoulder and had to decline - but he is due to meet officials from Guyana over the next few months to discuss an international debut.

MEN: Colne 2 FC United 1

Source: Manchester Online

Colne 2 FC United 1
Stuart Brennan

JOSH Howard has had a blast from Fergie's hairdryer - now he knows what it's like to go through Margy's mangle!

The former Manchester United youth team captain made his debut for FC United as they lost 2-1 in the League Challenge Cup to an injury-time goal against first division Colne.

And he found out that FC boss Karl Marginson can be as angry as the man from Govan when he sees his team lose.

"He wasn't happy," said Howard. "Perhaps he was a bit more constructive than Fergie, but he was not impressed with the way we defended."

The 25-year-old midfielder captained the Old Trafford youth team that included John O'Shea, Luke Chadwick and Michael Stewart, but fell foul of Fergie's wrath after he signed up with the United boss's least favourite agent Mel Stein.

Howard was singled out by Marginson as one of the few plus points on a disappointing afternoon for FC United and their amazing support - over 2,700 smashed the stadium record at Conference side Accrington Stanley's Interlink Express Stadium. But he will be missing for two weeks now, banned for a red card he picked up while with Mossley.

Punch

Marginson threatened his defenders with a shake-up after a game which ended in grand style with three goals in the last three minutes, followed by a touchline melee in which FC United's Rory Patterson was sent off, despite already having been substituted, for throwing a punch.

Said Marginson: "My assistant Phil Power tried to retrieve the ball when it went out of play, and one of their players tried to kick the ball away. He booted the ball at Phil who pushed him and then three or four of them jumped in.

"It's not something I want to see at football, especially when we have a big crowd like this."

It was nip and tuck, with FC keeper Barrie George pulling off two incredible saves in the first-half.

The goals did not start to come until three minutes from the end when Chris Clarke was allowed time and space to pick his spot and curl a beauty into the far corner of the FC United net.

Torpey replied with 10 seconds of normal time left - he tried to jink his way through the heart of a determined Colne defence and when he was pulled back, picked himself up to smash the free-kick around the wall and into the bottom corner.

The delirious FC fans were silenced again 90 seconds into added time as their defence was caught napping by a long ball over the top and on-loan Altrincham player Gary Williams raced clear to crash the winner past George.

Tony in a United Stand

Source: This is Scunthorpe

12:30 - 12 November 2005
Scunthorpe United's FA Cup first round tie at Bury last Saturday attracted 2,900 fans - a third of which were Iron followers.

Yet the week before, over 3,000 'home' fans flocked to Gigg Lane to see a match down in division two of the North West Counties League. Among them was a 36-year-old computer technician from Epworth who has been 'smitten' by a new football bug.

Tony Wilkinson used to be a die-hard Manchester United fan, following the mighty reds all over Europe.

But now he's happy to have swapped the Theatre of Dreams for the reality world of minor non-league action.

Instead of heading to top Premiership games at the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, he finds himself getting out the map to search out the home grounds of clubs with delightful, exotic names such as Blackpool Mechanics, Daisy Hill and Castleton Gabriels.

Tony is one of the disillusioned band of Manchester United fans who turned their backs on Old Trafford when the American Glazer family took control.

They have formed their own club FC United who gained entry to the bottom division of the North West Counties League.

"We are nine divisions below the Football League - but we are happy and we are growing in numbers all the time." he insisted.

"It is a club run by the fans. Everyone has a voice - not like it is at Old Trafford now.

"Manchester United has changed. They are not interested in the normal fans now, they just want to cater for people with money.

"A lot of people were unhappy when the Glazers took over - and that's why FC United was formed.

"I had my doubts about it at first, but 4,000 people pledged money to the club when it was formed at a meeting back in July.

"For me, this is something that has been coming for a long time. The Glazers, and the way they came in, was just the final straw.

"I vowed never to go again to watch Manchester United - a club I had been a season-ticket holder at in my student days.

"I left to work abroad in 1994 and when I came back the atmosphere at Old Trafford had changed with the all-seater stadium.

"Football was also being dictated to more and more by Sky Television. No longer were games just on a Saturday afternoon.

"More and more money was pouring into the game and yet it was getting more and more expensive to watch.

"Players are getting huge wages and becoming more remote from the fans.

"I am sure that if most premiership players saw their wages cut in half, they would hardly notice it.

"Football has lost its soul and I was not enjoying it at Old Trafford.

"I wondered how difficult it would be to switch to supporting another team - but it's been easy.

"I feel I have fallen back in love with football.

"FC United is our club, run by the fans. We have adopted rules that we will never have shirt sponsors and we will never talk to agents.

"Our players are all part-timers and mix with the fans.

"Before one game recently a couple of the players joined us in the pub and had a coke with us. You would never see that at Premiership level. You could never imagine Rio Ferdinand or Wayne Rooney doing that could you?

"Gigg Lane is our home now. We have been getting up to 4,000 for some games and they have had to open a third side of the ground for us.

"It causes quite a stir when we play away at teams that are not used to handling a big crowd.

"It worried the police at first but I think now they know that all we want to do is enjoy the football and support our team.

"We have lost only once so far this season. How far can we go - who knows?

"At the moment I am just happy to be enjoying my football again with 'my' team," insisted Tony.

Pendle Today: Reds Have No Fear Ahead Of United Clash

Source: Pendle Today

NIGEL Coates is adamant his side have nothing to fear on Sunday.
The game Colne fans have been waiting for takes place at Accrington Stanley's Interlink Express Stadium (kick-off 2 p.m.).
But the Reds boss is confident his side can derail the FC United bandwagon.
Coates. whose side were without a game last weekend, said: "I'm really looking forward to it.
"It's a little bit different to the norm because I think everyone is anticipating a big crowd.
"It's not often you play in front of 2,000 people plus, but the lads are definitely up for it.
"I've had them watched and watched them myself, both against Nelson and Cheadle, and they will be tough opposition.
"They are full of UniBond players, so it will be difficult, but we certainly have nothing to fear.
"It is a game we know we can win, but then they will no doubt be thinking the same.
"But when all is said and done, it's only the League Cup, it's not like it's a big league game or a Vase match.
"Basically it is just a normal game – although there is obviously a massive amount of spice to it because of the opposition.
"Obviously we've tried to build it up a bit by switching the ground and playing it on a Sunday, but it is just another game for me."
A huge crowd is expected to descend on the Interlink, but it is something the Reds are used to.
Two seasons ago, Colne played in front of 3,215 in their memorable FA Vase fourth round win at AFC Wimbledon.
But Coates thinks it will be different this time around: "The crowd will be completely different to when we were down at AFC Wimbledon.
"When we went down there, I thought they were incredibly hostile and a few nasty comments came our way.
"But that isn't the way with FC United, it's all fun and games to them and they come to games to enjoy themselves.
"It's all very good humoured with them, but whether they change their tune when they are losing is another thing!
"It remains to be seen whether they change or not, but one thing is for sure that Sunday will be a very good atmosphere."
On the squad front, the Reds have drafted in Clitheroe pair Russell Clarke and Owen Roberts, but Adam Kozlowski has left for Rossendale.
Coates added: "Adam has left to rejoin his former manager Derek Egan at Rossendale, who has just taken over from Mark Molyneux.
"But we have brought in Russ Clarke from Clitheroe, and now we've followed that up with Owen Roberts.
"Owen played at Port Vale up until the end of last season when he was released from his professional contract.
"He went to Clitheroe in the summer but hasn't really broken through there.
"He can play at left back or on the left of midfield, which gives us a bit of cover for Paul Forsyth when he is at college during the week.
"He's got a good work ethic and a decent left foot, and not only that, but he is another local lad which makes things easier for us.
"Russ will probably start on Sunday as well, but I'm not too sure about Owen just yet."
On Tuesday night, Colne travel to Leigh RMI in the Lancashire Co-Operatives Trophy (kick-off 7-45 p.m.), and he added: "It's always different against teams from the Conference North and UniBond Premier because games are played at such a fast pace.
"It's all about fitness at that level, and games are so fast and furious it's unreal.
"I think we can hold our own on Tuesday in terms of the football that is played, but their fitness might just be the telling factor.
We are a big, strong side and that might be an advantage for us, but if we switch off at any point we are going to get beat.
"We went to Southport two seasons ago and won, and went to Burscough last season and should have got something from it.
"So if we take that attitude into Tuesday night then we have a fighting chance."
11 November 2005

The Guardian: Sad passing puts the game into perspective

Source: The Guardian

FC United's Tony Howard joins the mourning for one of the men whose tireless work helped establish the club

Wednesday November 9, 2005

It was a sad week for FC United of Manchester as one of the driving forces behind the formation and running of the club passed away. Board member Russell Delaney died following a long illness on Tuesday, the day before the club's North West Counties Division Two fixture with Chadderton was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Russ was a popular figure who was instrumental in Manchester United fans' seeing off Rupert Murdoch in 1999 and the battle against Malcolm Glazer, before working tirelessly behind the scenes to set up the new club.


His belief that fans should be the most important part of any football club is the very essence of what FC United stands for, and without his expertise as a financial advisor and his contacts within the game, the club may never have got off the ground.

Despite his ill health he travelled from his home in the south east to Manchester for months on end. He was invaluable in earning the support of the Football Association and getting the club accepted in the North West Counties League, as well as calling on past experience to negotiate the player's contracts.

He will be sadly missed by everyone who follows both Uniteds. As FC's general manager Andy Walsh said: "The United family and football itself are poorer for his passing."

Wednesday's clash with Chadderton was therefore set to be an emotional occasion - until the Manchester weather intervened. Gigg Lane was soaked and at around 11am the match was postponed; the word spread, but inevitably some supporters still turned up expecting a football match. However, all was not lost, and a complimentary curry was laid on and the management and players were on hand to hold an impromptu meet and greet session.

Then on Saturday, a bumper 2,000-plus crowd saw a drab 0-0 draw against Eccleshall and FC miss a chance to go five points clear at the top. But any disappointment was put into perspective as players wore black armbands in memory of one of the men who helped put them on that pitch in the first place.

Eccleshall 0 FCUM 0

No pass for this game, so only a couple of snaps... click here

FC United, la start-up du foot

Ropey Altavista Translation Here

Source: L'Humanite

Manchester (Angleterre),

envoyé spécial.

Le football est né en Angleterre. C’est encore outre-Manche qu’il se réinvente. Pour découvrir la dernière évolution de ce sport, il faut se rendre à Manchester. À deux pas de la gare principale de Picadilly, le FC United of Manchester (FCUOM) a pris ses quartiers en plein centre-ville. Ce n’est pas une création anodine dans ce haut lieu du ballon rond britannique. À Manchester trônent déjà les institutions Manchester United, City et Bolton, soit trois des sept actuels leaders de la Premier League. Malgré ses dix divisions d’écart, le FCUOM est pourtant quasi aussi connu que ses trois aînés. Car il est le fruit du rejet de tout ce qu’est devenu le football moderne.

créer un club

fait pour durer

L’acte fondateur du club est sans détour : « Le FC United of Manchester est un nouveau club de foot fondé par d’anciens supporters de Manchester United en rupture. Notre but est de créer un club fait pour durer, appartenant et étant dirigé - démocratiquement par tous ses membres, accessible aux - habitants de Manchester et dans lequel tout le monde peut participer. » Cet acte de naissance, signé le 5 juillet dernier, fleure la révolte. Celle d’un bon paquet de supporters de Manchester United qui ne se retrouvaient plus dans leur équipe favorite depuis son rachat par le milliardaire américain Malcolm Glazer en fin de saison dernière. Le propriétaire des Tampa Bay Buccanners (foot américain) n’a pas caché ses intentions de rendre encore plus profitable le club le plus riche du monde. Quitte à changer ses supporters en vaches à lait.

D’où l’idée de créer une nouvelle structure venue chez des fans des Red Devils en rupture de ban avec la première division professionnelle où certains supporters ne trouvent plus leur place. Mark est de ceux-là : « Derrière la création du FC United, ce n’est pas seulement Glazer qui est visé, mais la façon dont le foot est dirigé. Nous croyons à un foot fait par les fans pour les fans. » Aussitôt dit, aussitôt fait. Ces autres Diables rouges ont vu le jour en début de saison. Pas question dcette couleur à l’ennemi Manchester United. Pour monter une équipe, il a fallu puiser dans la principale richesse du club : ses supporters. Après un casting et l’arrivée d’autres recrues, le FCUOM s’est lancé à la conquête de la ligue locale, soit l’équivalent de la dixième division amateurs.

comme un symbole de la renaissance

Comme une vraie start-up, le siège de la formation est implanté dans une partie d’un ancien entrepôt remis au goût du jour high-tech. Depuis, le FCUOM voisine avec d’autres entreprises naissantes. Le 37 Ducie Street est planté au milieu des terrains vagues et des chantiers de construction, comme un symbole de la renaissance de la vieille ville ouvrière terrassée par la crise industrielle des années soixante-dix. Les United s’y sont installés...

Depuis le début de la saison, tout roule. L’équipe est solidement accrochée à la première place de la ligue. Elle défraie régulièrement la chronique en jouant devant trois ou quatre mille fans. Comme dans une start-up, la communication entre l’équipe et ses supporters-propriétaires-bienfaiteurs s’effectue sur Internet et par courriels. Comme dans une start-up, le business n’est pas oublié. Puisque le club est appelé à se développer, il faut générer des ressources. On peut donc déjà acheter en ligne le maillot de l’équipe, son bonnet ou son badge. Mais attention, « 100 % des profits générés vont directement et uniquement au club », rappellent ses dirigeants. Manière de préciser que, contrairement à Malcolm Glazer à Manchester United, les dirigeants du FC United ne se paient pas sur la bête...

Nul ne sait jusqu’où ira cette aventure. Il existe certes un précédent : l’AFC Wimbledon, en banlieue de Londres, qui vit toujours. Mais jusqu’à présent le contrat du FC United est rempli. Les supporters ont retrouvé une famille.

Stéphane Guérard

Whether we're 'splitters' or 'scabs' we are all United

Thursday November 3, 2005
Source: The Guardian

Tony Howard, one of the founders of FC United, explains why the current malaise at Old Trafford brings him no joy whatsoever.


The lack of an FC United match this weekend left time for contemplation and the chance to watch Sir Alex Ferguson and his squad slumping to defeat at the Riverside and in Paris against Lille. The results highlighted several issues for followers of the 'other' United: were FC fans pleased to see Malcolm Glazer's new toy struggling, or did it still hurt to see MUFC humiliated?

In recent months I've been regularly asked: "How do you feel about Manchester United now? Do you want them to lose? Do you still watch their games? Will you go back to Old Trafford if Glazer leaves?"

None have black and white, right or wrong answers, but I took no joy from United's humiliation. People can't get their head around it and accuse us of committing the ultimate sin by 'changing' teams. If anyone asks my colours I still answer 'Manchester United' because FC to me is another branch of the red tree.

Reds have reacted in various ways. At one end of the scale, Old Trafford 'loyalists' find FC a treasonable act - they brand the rebels 'splitters'. On the other hand, some gave up season tickets out of principal and label the 'wait and see brigade' as 'scabs' for financially supporting Glazer's regime.

The majority sit somewhere between. Many do both; they enjoy FC games that don't clash with 'big United' while still continuing their patronage of Old Trafford. Some may not have set foot inside the ground since Glazer's takeover and now follow FC, but will still watch Fergie's men on television too.

Whereas the fantastic AFC Wimbledon supporters had little choice but form their own club when it was physically taken from them, Manchester United fans have actually made the choice to 'physically' walk away and start again.

One thing is certain - whether we're 'splitters' or 'scabs' we are all United and most fans have remained friends whatever their personal stance. FC is as much part of the Manchester United family as Fergie's team, because the supporters make a football club, not bricks and mortar.