FC fans get shirty

Source: manchesteronline.co.uk

FC UNITED fans last night rejected an idea that the club should change their first-team shirts next season.

In the first flexing of their democratic muscles, fans at the club's general meeting in Manchester voted overwhelmingly against the fledgling club changing the home and away strips in alternate years - although the full result will not be known until all votes are counted later today.

But the club's 3,692 members were expected to back the club's recommendation that the shirts be kept free of sponsorship, that season ticket prices be slightly reduced for adults and slashed for kids, and to freeze the turnstile prices.

The first nine months of the club's life got a verdict of "so far, so good" verdict from general manager Andy Walsh, and it was reported that the club had made a profit of £67,000 to the end of February, although overheads mean that will probably be eroded by the end of the season to around £29,000.

Community

The club say they are in a "healthy financial position" despite the decision not to have a shirt sponsor, the lack of pitchside advertising and bar takings, and the fact they pay £5,000 a match in rent to landlords Bury.

Walsh and board member Adam Brown outlined plans to begin a reserve and youth teams next season as well as expanding community links.

The wage bill for coaches, medical staff and players has worked out at £3,000 a week over a 40-week season, and the board do not intend to increase that figure next season, even though the club are poised for promotion to the first division of the Moore and Co Construction Solicitors League.

The team play Oldham Town at Boundary Park tonight, and need a maximum of 16 points from their last eight games to clinch promotion in their inaugural season.

Top scorer and influential midfielder Simon Carden is expected to return to the side tonight after missing Saturday's 8-1 thrashing of Leek CSOB due to his baby being ill.

That is likely to be the only change, with Phil Melville keeping his place as goalkeeper in place of Barry George and 40-year-old assistant manager Phil Power set to keep his place up front.