Why the pessimists fear us, not Chelsea, doing a Devon Loch

Source: The Guardian


Even with the North West Counties Division Two title in sight, Tony Howard explains why FC United's fans are refusing to get ahead of themselves

Friday April 7, 2006

Just when are FC United going to win the league? It's been almost a formality for some time but due to the wealth of postponements engulfing our rivals, there are several permutations that could see the North West Counties Division Two title winging its way to Gigg Lane on any number of dates.

One such twist in the tale could see the trophy being lifted on the same day our 'big' United brothers travel to Stamford Bridge chasing the Premiership title on Saturday, April 29.


Why the pessimists fear us, not Chelsea, doing a Devon Loch

Even with the North West Counties Division Two title in sight, Tony Howard explains why FC United's fans are refusing to get ahead of themselves

Friday April 7, 2006

Just when are FC United going to win the league? It's been almost a formality for some time but due to the wealth of postponements engulfing our rivals, there are several permutations that could see the North West Counties Division Two title winging its way to Gigg Lane on any number of dates.

One such twist in the tale could see the trophy being lifted on the same day our 'big' United brothers travel to Stamford Bridge chasing the Premiership title on Saturday, April 29.

Never the less, a 1-1 draw with Cheadle Town last Saturday made it four points out of the last nine dropped by FC at home. Pessimists among the red army are fearing it could actually be us, rather than Chelsea, doing what Fergie would term 'a Devon Loch' despite once owning a 25-point lead. However, second-placed Winsford then suffered a shock defeat to second-bottom Leek CSOB, meaning Nelson are now the most likely 'upsetters' as they have a whopping eight games in hand, despite being 32 points adrift.

But still the pessimists aren't getting excited; they're thinking back to when United threw the title away to Leeds in 1991-92. Commentators love trotting out the mantra that United are most dangerous when behind, but few of us can forget how dangerous we were to ourselves when we were ahead. As with Chelsea this season, experts said it was all over by Christmas, but it turned a shape of pear from New Year's Day onwards. That experience was a lasting one, which in subsequent years saw United fans unable to ever sing "Champions" or boast of a league win before the captain had actually collected the trophy.

So even this season, as FC have marched onwards and upwards, chants mentioning the championship have received a muted response with the more wily followers abstaining. However, it would take a capitulation greater than even Newcastle's in 1996 to throw it away now and it is hard to imagine manager Karl Marginson doing a Keegan and cracking under the pressure - they're made of sterner stuff in Ancoats.

We need eight points in five games to make sure of the title, but if results go our way we could be champions next Wednesday. If not, it could be the week after when we play Chadderton at Oldham's Boundary Park (home of the side that beat Aston Villa to give United their first league title for 26 years in 1993), or more possibly it could even happen without us playing if nearest contenders Winsford and Nelson slip up again. We might be over the last fence but we've still got to cross the line where the chickens are waiting to be counted. If only someone could work out when that will be then we could stop worrying.

FC United play Norton United at Port Vale's Vale Park on Sunday, April 9. For further information visit www.fc-utd.co.uk