Rebel Reds hit eight again

Source: thisislancashire.co.uk

By Liam Chronnell

FC United recorded their second 8-0 home victory in a row as they stretched their lead at the top of Division One to 10 points.

The rebel reds, who have now struck 69 goals in 17 League games, equalled their season-best scoreline against a hapless Glossop North End side at Gigg Lane.

Rory Patterson (2), Simon Carden, Jamie Phoenix, Rhodri Giggs, Rob Nugent, Dave Chadwick and Nick Platt were on target for the breakaway club.

Atherton Collieries suffered only their second defeat in 12 games as they went down 4-1 at home against Trafford.

Glyn Hurst was the hero for the visitors as he struck a second-half hat-trick.

James Parkinson grabbed a consolation for Colls, while Neil Davis missed an injury-time penalty.

Atherton LR's winless run continued as they lost 4-0 at Colne.

Rovers have now gone 11 games without a victory and their latest set-back saw them drop into 18th place.

In Division Two, Daisy Hill remained in the bottom three as they went down 2-1 at high-flying Bootle.

Tommy Moore's inexperienced side were once again guilty of wasting several excellent chances and found themselves 2-0 down on 62 minutes.

Simon Farrell gave the visitors hope when he pulled one back with 10 minutes left but his efforts proved in vain.

Gr-eight for Rebels

Source: M.E.N.

By Tony Howard

FC UNITED put eight past Glossop North End watched by Salford MP Hazel Blears.

The club hosted a 'People United Day' as their contribution to the Kick Racism Out of Football campaign and the Labour Party chairwoman liked it so much that she abandoned plans to leave at half-time and saw the Rebels hit eight for the second time on the trot at home.

Rory Patterson was again the star performer with his brace to put the visitors out of the game after just 20 minutes.

Simon Carden added a second with a well-taken goal on the stroke of half-time.

Further strikes from Jamie Phoenix, Rhodri Giggs, Dave Chadwick and Nicky Platt made the game safe, but it was Rob Nugent's 30 yard pile-driver that really delighted the 3,257 Gigg Lane crowd and put United 10 points clear of Nantwich.

PEOPLE UNITED DAY A SUCCESS

Source: kickitout.org

Monday 30 Oct, 2006

FC United Of Manchester opened its doors to children and community groups from all over the surrounding area on Saturday, ensuring a carnival atmosphere for their North West Counties league division one home clash with Glossop North End.

People United Day saw the fan-run breakaway club join forces with different ethnic groups, schools and colleges from around Greater Manchester in order to celebrate the Kick It Out Week of Action.

The initiative was FC United's latest successful step towards promoting the club's ethos of inclusion for all fans who have previously found themselves excluded from watching top flight football.

In order to maximise the amount of young people taking part, admission was free to the under-16's and accompanying adults, with many of the thousand children present taking part in a lap of honour before kick off, as a multitude of banners were waved to applause from well over three thousand fans.

The fantastic atmosphere in the stands also had the desired effect on the home side's performance, spurring FC to a thumping 8-0 victory as they maintained their ten point lead at the top of the table.

FC United general manager Andy Walsh said: "People United Day is about honouring the pledge we made, as part of the manifesto we drew up at the start of the season, in terms of making FC United more accessible to all the communities of Greater Manchester.

"A tremendous amount of work has gone into contacting schools and various community groups around Greater Manchester and across the area, which is what you saw in terms of our parade of banners and the kids here.

"There were a thousand kids in the ground, so it's been a great success and something that's not been tried before."

"Football against racism has been going for a long time now and last season we put our toe in the water, but this season we've pushed the boat out a bit further."

FC United 8-0 Glossop NE

Source: Morning Star

by MIKE ROBERTS at Gigg Lane

FC United Of Manchester opened its doors to children and community groups from all over the surrounding area on Saturday, ensuring a carnival atmosphere for their North West Counties league division one home clash with Glossop North End.

People United Day saw the fan-run breakaway club join forces with different ethnic groups, schools and colleges from around Greater Manchester in order to celebrate football's Kick out Racism campaign.

The initiative was FC United's latest successful step towards promoting the club's ethos of inclusion for all fans who have previously found themselves excluded from watching top flight football.

In order to maximise the amount of young people taking part, admission was free to the under-16's and accompanying adults, with many of the thousand children present taking part in a lap of honour before kick off, as a multitude of banners were waved to applause from well over three thousand fans.

The fantastic atmosphere in the stands also had the desired effect on the home side's performance, spurring FC to a thumping 8-0 victory as they maintained their ten point lead at the top of the table.

FC United general manager Andy Walsh said: "People United Day is about honouring the pledge we made, as part of the manifesto we drew up at the start of the season, in terms of making FC United more accessible to all the communities of Greater Manchester.

"A tremendous amount of work has gone into contacting schools and various community groups around Greater Manchester and across the area, which is what you saw in terms of our parade of banners and the kids here.

"There were a thousand kids in the ground, so it's been a great success and something that's not been tried before."

"Football against racism has been going for a long time now and last season we put our toe in the water, but this season we've pushed the boat out a bit further."

FC Unitd 8-0 Glossop North End

Source: BBC

By Jamie Murphy
FC United notched up eight goals in their second consecutive game at Gigg Lane against Glossop North End on Saturday (28 Oct 2006).

North West Counties Football League - Division 1 (2006/07)
FC United 8 Glossop North End 0
Patterson 2
Patterson 19
Carden 45
Phoenix 60
Giggs 64
Nugent 77
Chadwick 80
Platt 85

Teams:
Ashton, Taylor, Mortimer, Platt, Chadwick (capt.), Nugent, Giggs, Carden, Rudd, Phoenix, Patterson Teams:
Williams, Young, Levendis, Blore (capt.), Conlon, Hazeldean, Nibloe, Morris, Evans, Hamilton, Blackshaw
Substituted:
Taylor for Spencer (77)
Phoenix for Allen (62)
Substituted:
Levendis for Jackson (67)
Nibloe for Gorton (70)
Attendance: 3,257

A crowd of 3,257 people joined the Rebel Reds for ‘People United Day’ at Gigg Lane, FC United’s contribution to Football Against Racism in Europe.

And they were to be entertained by another 8-goal thriller for the home team, currently ten points clear at the top of the North West Counties Division 1.

United’s title ambitions were further confirmed by the fact that seven players got on the score sheet on Saturday, with goals for Carden (45), Phoenix (60), Giggs (64), Nugent (77), Chadwick (80), Platt (85) and two for striker Rory Patterson (2, 19).

The pick of the bunch was without doubt the 30-yard screamer from defender Rob Nugent in front of an ecstatic Manchester Road End.

For Manager Karl Marginson, the game was perfect preparation for the coming Saturday’s ‘little Manchester Derby’ at Stalybridge against the non-league sky blue team Maine Road, who sit third in the table.

Anti-racism banner parade

Source: Bury Times

By Bury Times Reporter

A PARADE of banners will be the highlight of a People United Day at Bury's Gigg Lane soccer ground on Saturday.

The event, organised by FC United as part of the Kick Out Racism campaign, will involve a number of community groups, schools, colleges, youth and junior football clubs together with ethnic minority and asylum seekers organisations.

People United Day coincides with FC United's game against Glossop North End, which will kick off at 3pm. Activities will be held both before and after the match.

Maine Event

Source: South Manchester Reporter

DERBY day has long been the highlight of the footballing calendar for many City and United fans across south Manchester.

But this year, Blues and Reds will have another chance to get one over on each other.

While United take on Portsmouth and City play Charlton in the Premiership on November 4, many fans of both Manchester teams will be as equally as interested in the outcome of a tie in the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) First Division.

FC United, the breakaway team formed by the Manchester United fans dismayed by Malcolm Glazer's takeover of the Old Trafford club will play Maine Road, a team started by City supporters in the 1950s.

The match is being billed as 'Little United' verses 'Little City' and is expected to attract a crowd of up to 5,000 fans.

Fan web sites are already buzzing ahead of the game with some supporters expected to give up their tickets for the Premiership ties to travel to the Bower Field in Stalybridge, where the game has been switched from Maine Road's ground at Brantingham Road, Chorlton, to accommodate the large numbers expected.

Many fans are thrilled by the chance to experience a Manchester derby on an occasion which a hark back to the old days of football when fans could pay on the gate and stand shoulder-to-shoulder on the terraces.

Both clubs wear their allegiance on their sleave. FC United sport the same famous red, white and black colours as 'Big' United while Maine Road wear the sky blue of City.

Despite their opposition to the new United owner, most FC fans are loyal to the club's unofficial motto: Two United's but the soul is one.

The two Uniteds are also linked by blood; FC's left-winger is none other than Rhodri Giggs, brother of Old Trafford's Ryan.

Maine Road, on the other hand, began life as City Supporters Rusholme, but the club changed its name when it moved to the newly built Maine Road Social Club in the late 1960s.

Visitors to the club's website are left in no doubt as to where its loyalties lie; they are greeted with a blast of Blue Moon, the Manchester City anthem.

FC United have been allocated 3,500 tickets for the match while Maine Road hope that around 2,000 City fans will turn up to cheer them on.

Phil Power, assistant manager of FC United, said: "There has been unbelievable interest in this match and it already feels like a derby game.

"We are really looking forward to it and I'm sure there will be a terrific atmosphere."

Since being founded around 18 months ago, FC United, have won promotion to the NWCFL First Division and are now nine points clear at the top of the league following a run of 12 straight wins.

But Maine Road are expected to provide stern opposition and still harbour their own title ambitions from their current spot in fourth place.

The club has enjoyed its own success winning no less than five Manchester County FA cups and a string of other honours.

Current assistant manager Derek Barber has held a number of positions at the club, including manager and secretary. He said 550 tickets had already been sold for the match just to friends and family of Maine Road players and officials.

Derek said: "Our boys can't wait - it will be the biggest crowd they have played in front of.

"We do not have the financial clout of some of the teams in the league but our players are incredibly loyal to us and we know we can give United a game.

"It's going to be a great occasion and we are hoping that we will have a lot of support there on the day."

The fierce rivalry between the Reds and Blues of Manchester over the years has also led to fears that passions could spill over into violence.

But the police are warning that any trouble will be swiftly dealt with. A spokesman said: "A policing operation will be in place in the day. We will assess the intelligence in place before the match and make appropriate provisions."
Gareth Tidman

First published by the South Manchester Reporter

Last-gasp Simon sneaks in to rescue rattled Rebels

Source: M.E.N.

Simon Carden struck twice late on to pinch an unlikely 3-2 victory for FC United after they’d lost goalkeeper Sam Ashton to injury.

Ashton was forced off in the 63rd minute with a knock he sustained in a failed attempt to prevent Nick Wellecombe giving hosts Newcastle Town a shock 2-1 lead at the Lyme Valley Stadium.

With no substitute keeper on the bench, striker Rory Patterson took over in goal, but, despite the handicap, the rebel reds bounced back to snatch a win which takes them nine points clear of second-placed Salford City.

Boss Karl Marginson said: “The boys showed great character to come back under difficult circumstances. I couldn’t have asked for more.”

Steve Spencer slotted FC United into a 36th-minute lead, but it was quickly wiped out by Dave Berks.

Marginson’s men appeared to be heading for only their second defeat of the season when Ashton was carried off after Wellecombe had struck.

But Carden tapped in a 76th-minute equaliser before volleying home the winner more than four minutes into stoppage-time.

Late Carden strikes saves FC's blushes

Source: This is Lancashire

By Liam Chronnell

SIMON Carden grabbed a last-minute winner as FC United came from behind to edge a five-goal thriller at Newcastle Town in the North West Counties League Division One.

The midfielder struck his second goal of the game in the dying seconds as the breakaway club stretched their lead at the top of the table to nine points.

Steve Spencer had put the leaders in front on 34 minutes but the home side rallied superbly and hit back through Dave Berks five minutes before half time.
continued...

Nick Wellcombe's 62nd-minute effort handed the Stoke side a shock lead but Carden's first of the afternoon levelled matters with 15 minutes remaining.

And the former Radcliffe Boro man then hit a last-gasp winner to seal the points in a dramatic finale at the Lyme Valley Stadium.

Atherton Collieries have now lost just once in 11 games as they earned a hard-fought point at Glossop North End.

Seventh-placed Colls - two places above their hosts - dominated the first half and Nick Dyson saw his effort cleared off the line while Jermain Peters blasted wide from 10 yards.

After the break, Chris Farrar wasted the game's best chance in the 75th minute when the North End goalkeeper saved bravely at his feet after he had been put clean through on goal.

In Division Two, Daisy Hill could not pull off a repeat of their Challenge Cup heroics against high-flying Darwen.

Tommy Moore's side dumped Darwen out of the competition the week before but the visitors gained their revenge in a 4-0 victory at New Sirs.

Cursed with the bad lot?

Source: Stoke City MAD
edited from longer article)

On a different matter, it was thoroughly disappointing to hear about the incidents at Newcastle Town’s match against FC United of Manchester last weekend – especially as it so happened to occur on the same day that Stoke were labelled as having the worst-behaved fans in the country. I am completely aware that this is a very small minority, but is there something that the rest of us Stoke fans can do? I’m not sure. I am sure, though, about the fact that I just don’t get it. Why do you do it? Am I strange for not wanting to throw bottles or lids at other people? Am I strange for not wanting to hurl abuse at strangers? Am I strange for walking out of the Britannia and not getting the urge to punch or kick someone half to death? You tell me. You’re not 'cool', you’re stupid.

HOOLIGANS ATTACK FOOTBALL SPECTATORS

Source: The Sentinel
09:40 - 22 October 2006

Dozens of police officers descended on a tiny non-league football ground after trouble flared during an afternoon match.The Staffordshire police helicopter was scrambled during the operation at yesterday's game between Newcastle Town and Manchester side FC United.
http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
insert link
But eye-witnesses at the Lyme Valley ground pinned the blame for the incident on organised hooligans unconnected with either club.

Some fans, including families with young children, left the ground before full-time in disgust at the behaviour.

Police maintained a heavy presence on the gates, but there were no reports of any arrests of injuries.

Supporters inside the small stadium said they were aware of shouting and bottles being thrown towards the Newcastle fans by a group of up to 40 people who had crossed the neighbouring rugby club pitch to reach the ground.

But fans and officials stressed the disturbance did not spread to the ground itself.

Newcastle club secretary Ray Tatton said: "Nothing happened inside the ground, it was all happening outside.

"It was nothing to do with the FC United fans. They were excellent and we would welcome them back any time."

A police spokesman at the match confirmed that extra officers had been requested, and said: "We don't know yet who was involved, or where they were from, so it wouldn't be appropriate to comment."

A spokesman for Staffordshire Ambulance Service said an ambulance was requested, but that it was in response to a medical emergency.

Newcastle councillor Andy Fear was among the home supporters who witnessed the trouble.

He said: "I saw bottles and things being thrown over by a group of people who had got around the back, but the police soon chased them off."

CARDEN IS HERO IN THRILLER

Source: The Non-League Paper

By Wayne Clark

A PULSATING encounter at the Velodrome in Newcastle-under-Lyme was finally won by FC United of Manchester as Simon Carden scored the winner deep in stoppage time.

The early exchanges were even, with Newcastle Town holding their own against the leaders. Nick Wellecombe and Richard Minor both saw good opportunities go begging as Sam Ashton bettered them both in one-on-one situations.

Home goalkeeper Richard Froggatt, was rescued by his captain after Rory Patterson's shot eluded the stopper, but not Dean Gillick who cleared at the goal-line.

Dave Berks tested Ashton with a powerful free-kick on 23 minutes, but the former Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper was equal to the challenge and punched clear.

United took the lead on 36 minutes as Steve Spencer turned in from close range after Froggatt failed to hold a low Patterson shot. The lead lasted only four minutes, though, as Spencer, in his own box this time, saw an attempted clearance cannon off two opponents before falling for Berks, who expertly lifted his shot into the top-left of goal from the edge of the area.

Newcastle took the lead just after the hour mark as Wellcombe beat Ashton to a super Berks through ball and finished calmly.

Ashton was unable to carry on after conceding with a serious-looking leg injury. Striker Patterson took on the goalkeeping duties for the final half-hour.

Nigel Gleghorn, Newcastle manager, will be disappointed that his side failed to test the stand-in goalie during the remainder of the match as United seemed to dominate the midfield areas for large periods after the influential Simon Robinson had to be substituted off for the home side.

The equaliser came when Alex Mortimer crossed beyond the far post, Rob Nugent headed back across goal for Carden to tap in from close range.

Carden then scored the winner more than four minutes into the stoppage time.

Diskin could only deflect a cross from the United left, and the ball fell to Carden who struck a precise side-footed volley into the top corner of the Newcastle net to secure the points.


STAR MAN: CARDEN (FC United)
MATCH RATING: 5/5

Daily Mail

Edited from Daily Mail, page 118.

....

Many of those supporters no longer feel the old reflexive loyalty to their tyrannical leader. When Ferguson called the founders of the breakaway FC United of Manchester ‘self-publicists’ and questioned their love for the club, many decided he had bought the Glazer ticket, which is stamped with £660m of debt. Resentment still runs deep.

....

A tale of two cities

Source: The Guardian
FC United have finally found some rivals, and they're surprisingly close to home, as Tony Howard explains

Friday October 20, 2006
Guardian Unlimited

Manchester and Salford are separate entities intertwined to the point that outsiders mistakenly think they are the same place, but FC United supporters are finding no sense of togetherness with their twin city on the non-league football scene.

Natives of both Manchester and Salford can correctly call Manchester United their local team. Therefore it's no surprise that much of FC United's support is made up of fans from both sides of the ship canal, but before this season many people from the two cities didn't know that Salford has another team. Salford City have been plying their trade under a number of guises since 1945 and they have proven to be FC United's closest rivals so far this season. Salford are challenging the Reds for top spot in the North West Counties First Division and they now stand in the way of United's progress in the FA Vase.

It was The Ammies who halted United's 12-game winning streak at start of the season when they beat United 2-1 in front of over 4,000 fans at Salford Reds' Willows rugby league stadium. Now the two have been drawn together in the second round of the Vase on November 18. Had FC beaten City they would have set a North West Counties record for consecutive victories (13), but their smaller brothers from across the water were keen to prove a point. With at least 1,500 Salford fans turning up to back their hometown team (their average gate is less than 100), City scored two last-gasp goals to secure a famous victory.

The experience of supporters competing with chants of "Salford" and "Manchester" was a surreal one for Manchester United fans, who are used to standing shoulder-to-shoulder no matter which side of the canal they hail from. Rugby league, boxing and Manchester United are Salfordians' favoured sporting past-times, but thanks to the attention brought on the club by the clashes with FC, those behind Salford City now hope they can add themselves to that hobby list.

In the aftermath of their shock defeat, FC United were left to look back on what was a fine run. There were many moments to savour during their record-equalling performances, including a goal from Rory Patterson scored direct from kick-off.

Appetites are now being whetted for another derby on November 4. This time FC face foes from the same city as they take on Maine Road FC, the club formed by supporters of Manchester City in 1955. The Sky Blues are currently in the top four, giving the match added spice. Manchester's blue quarter have been traditionally indifferent to their fans' club, but they could be galvanised by what promises to be the first ever supporters' derby. After complaining that they have no real rivals, FC United fans are now spoilt for choice - and long may it continue.

· FC United face Newcastle Town (Under-Lyme, not Upon-Tyne) this Saturday, October 21 at the Lyme Valley Stadium. Admission is £5-7 for adults, £2 concessions

FC United 8-0 Squire's Gate

Source: BBC

By Jamie Murphy

The floodgates opened at Gigg Lane on Saturday as Patterson’s first half four and Rudd’s hat-trick delight non-league Manager of the Month, Karl Marginson.

North West Counties Football League - Division 1 (2006/07)

The 8-0 win against Blackpool outfit Squire’s Gate, saw FC United record their second biggest victory and go ten points clear at the top of the North West Counties Division One.

Before the kick off, the 2,378 fans at Gigg Lane applauded as manager Karl Marginson was made non-league manager of the month. They and their manager were to have their faith returned with a fantastic performance from an FC team on the rampage.

-image of Karl Marginson, non-league Manager of the Month
-image caption: Karl Marginson receives his award

With Captain Dave Chadwick out injured, the Reds' No. 11 Rory Patterson took the armband and put in a stellar display further cementing his status as a favourite of the fan by racking up four goals. Patterson got his first goal on the 4th minute, with a free kick shot straight through the dissipating Squires Gate wall. FC’s second goal followed ten minutes later when Stuart Rudd latched on to a perfect through ball from Steven Spencer.

From then on, United’s striking partnership completely overran Squires Gate and the chances were coming thick and fast. Patterson had a goal-bound effort cleared by a defender after he deftly chipped the Squires Gate 'keeper, and later Rudd was caught in two minds when, with both he and Patterson through on goal in the 27th minute, the striker missed an absolute sitter. This was replied only a minute later with another goal to add to Rory’s tally.

Apart from a cross tipped onto the bar by Sam Ashton in the first few minutes, FC United’s goal was seldom threatened and the one-way traffic produced two more goals for the home side in the first half, with Patterson netting them both. The striker capped his hat-trick with a brilliant effort nodding the ball past a defender before controlling and slotting his shot past the ‘keeper. With a minute to go to the half time whistle, Patterson had the defence scratching their heads with deja vu as he scored his fourth with a carbon copy of his third.

'Rambo for England'

"Rudd simply walked the ball into the net, the embarrassed keeper being consoled by the home fans' chants of 'Rambo for England!'"
Jamie Murphy, FC United reporter

Down 5-0 at half time, you wouldn’t have blamed Squire’s Gate for sneaking out the back door and heading back to the Golden Mile. Indeed Gigg Lane could have witnessed a rugby score if it wasn’t for the linesman’s flag and the Squire’s Gate ‘keeper, the headband sporting Peter Summerfield, whom the home fans dubbed ‘Rambo’.

Right from the kick off, Rudd almost drew first blood from Rambo (sorry!) but the keeper stood his ground. However Rudd was soon to have his second on the 48th minute, the home fans chanting “Rambo, what’s the score?” and the keeper replying holding up six fingers. Rambo was later to deny Rudd, Giggs and Mortimer before rolling the ball outfield in the mistaken belief that the game had been stopped for a free kick. Rudd latched onto the mistake and simply walked the ball into the net, capping his hat-trick on the 79th minute, the embarrassed keeper being consoled by the home fans’ chant of ‘Rambo for England’.

In the dying minutes, for reason’s known only to themselves a large section of the crowd launched into a rendition of the Beach Boys’ Sloop John B. Perhaps it was in sympathy with the visitors who, by the time debutant Danny Shannon came off the bench to head home a Giggs cross for number 8, must have certainly wanted to go home.

Hot-shot Stuart has sights set on record goal spree

Source: M.E.N.

STUART BRENNAN

STUART Rudd is gunning for 50 goals this season in a bid to smash the North West Counties League record.

The FC United hit man has already rattled in 21 goals in 17 appearances this season, so he is already well on his way to beating his personal best of 47, set last season while playing for Skelmersdale United.

Rudd helped himself to a hattrick at the weekend as the league leaders blasted eight goals past hapless Squires Gate at Gigg Lane.

But he is already looking over his shoulder at strike partner Rory Patterson, who returned to form with four goals in the first half to take his own tally to 13.

The two of them have helped to fire FC 10 points clear at the top of the league, as they seek a second successive promotion and eye a place in the UniBond League’s first division.

Rudd believes he is on track to match the first division record of 50 set by Cammell Laird’s Ronnie Morgan last season. Morgan also hit 53 the season before, when Cammell Laird were in the second division.

“I always set myself a target of 20 to 25 goals by Christmas,” said former Wigan Athletic trainee Rudd, who hit 47 last season and 46 the season before, both with Skelmersdale United.

“Then you have four months left, playing every week, so you should reach 35 to 40. But the way I have started off this season, I don’t like putting a figure on it.

“I’d love to get 50. It’s something I have always had in mind because it hasn’t been done too often in the North West Counties.

“The lad from Cammell Laird scored a couple more than me last season, but he played about 19 games more.”

With just over two months of the season played, Rudd has already passed FC’s goal-scoring record for the season, set by Patterson with 19 last season.

But he is already casting a glance over his shoulder at Patterson, with whom he is developing a frightening partnership.

“When I first came to the club I had heard a lot about Rory, and one or two people said we were too much alike,” said Rudd.

“But we both do different things. I am powerful in the air, and hold it up, while he is a more skilful, delicate kind of player.”

Gate go from 7-1 winners to 8-0 losers

Source: blackpooltoday.co.uk

FC United 8 Squires Gate 0

ANYTHING less than 100 per cent match fitness is a waste of time against the big-money men of boom club FC United.

That's the stark message from Squires Gate manager Stuart Parker after watching his side blitzed at Bury's Gigg Lane in the club's heaviest defeat since joining the North-West Counties League 15 years ago – coming a week after a 7-1 victory over Stone Dominoes.

Parker said: "Three things you need against a side like FC United are a little luck, ability and fitness. We didn't have much luck, had some ability and no fitness.

"After 30 minutes at 3-0 down – when the score could have been 3-3 – it became a turkey shoot. We had enjoyed more than an even share of the game, weren't overawed and then simply ran out of steam.

"I couldn't fault my players for effort. Everybody tried hard but with not being fully fit you can't do things which otherwise come naturally.

"Out of a squad of 20, I reckon I've got four fully-fit players. There's a hard core of ten who train – only the rest can answer why they're not there."

Poor Peter Summerfield must have wished he'd stayed in America after coming under the cosh in his first game back at Gate in goal.

Skipper Rory Patterson and former Skelmersdale marksman Stuart Rudd, who shared seven goals, had tucked away the first three (5, 15 and 29 mins) while at the other end Paul Ryan couldn't capitalise on two one-on-ones and Marc Beattie wasted another chance.

Irishman Patterson's personal tally rose to four by half-time with strikes in the 34th and 45th minutes. Every one of his goals was placed in the bottom left-hand corner.

Parker dubbed Rudd "very unsporting" for the manner in which he completed his hat-trick on 79 minutes. He tapped the ball in as Summerfield rolled it forward to restart play after Gate had kicked out for a throw-in when a United player was injured.

Debutant Danny Shannon headed the eighth with four minutes left in front of a below-average crowd of 1,851*.

16 October 2006

*Attendance was 2,378 - Ed

Rudd grabs hat-trick after Rambo’s howler

Source: M.E.N.

STUART BRENNAN

STUART Rudd made no apologies for a bizarre hat-trick goal which would have had England goalkeeper Paul Robinson laughing up his sleeve.

The FC United striker moved to the top of the North West Counties League goalscoring charts as the Rebels blitzed Squires Gate 8-0 to equal their biggest winning margin.

But his third goal, and FC’s seventh, brought criticism from the Blackpool team, who claim he took advantage of the unwritten rule on returning the ball to the opposition after treatment to an injured player.

Rudd did that, aiming his throw-in back to visiting goalkeeper Peter Summerfield. He picked it up and inexplicably threw it, with backspin, outside his own area, as if he believed a free-kick had been awarded. Rudd saw his opportunity and raced onto the ball, running it into the empty net.

The Squires Gate manager complained to FC boss Karl Marginson, but it was clearly a case of the keeper – dubbed “Rambo” by the home support due to his powerful build and head band – not keeping his mind on the game.

Rudd was unrepentant: “I was called for making a mockery of throwing the ball back, but it was more a case of their keeper not concentrating. He picked the ball up and for some reason threw it out, so I just went for it.

“I have gone three games without scoring once this season, so you have to take every chance.”

Marginson said: “Their manager isn’t happy about it, but Stuart is a goalscorer, and if someone rolls the ball to him like that, he will just go and score. If our keeper Sam Ashton had done that, I certainly wouldn’t be having a go with the scorer.

“I think their keeper was too busy enjoying the banter with our support behind the goal.”

Rudd’s hat-trick, which took him to 21 goals for the season, was outshone by his strike partner Rory Patterson who hit four in the first half to send FC 10 points clear at the top.

Sport headlines

Edited from thisislancashire.co.uk

By Liam Chronnell

Four first-half goals from Rory Patterson and a hat-trick for Stuart Rudd saw FC United demolish Squires Gate 8-0 at Gigg Lane to record their second biggest ever victory.

Substitute Danny Shannon completed the scoring on his debut as the runaway leaders stretched their lead at the top of the table to 10 points in front of 2,381 supporters.

Der »Rebellen FC« rockt 'n' rollt

Source: Neues Deutschland

Der im Mai 2005 gegründete neue Fußballclub United of Manchester bringt vor allem seine einfachen Fans ins Spiel

Manchester United ist einer der berühmtesten Fußballklubs der Welt, sein Stadion Old Trafford das größte Vereinsstadion in Britannien. Gleichzeitig ist »Man United« heute einer der kommerzialisiertesten Klubs der Welt. Manchester United wurde im Mai vorigen Jahres von Malcolm Glazer, einem betagten Milliardär aus den USA, aufgekauft – Gesamtwert seines Gebots: rund eine Milliarde Euro.

Die Reaktion auf die Übernahme des Vereins durch einen amerikanischen Investor: Am 30. Mai 2005 beschlossen empörte Fans die Gründung eines neuen, seinen einfachen Anhängern verpflichteten Vereins: FC United of Manchester. Der bestritt am 13. August 2005 sein erstes Spiel in der 2. Division der nordwestenglischen Grafschafts-Liga – neun Etagen unter der Premier League der Football Association. Im April 2006 erreichte der neue FC mit über 6000 Fans bisherigen Besucherrekord und den Aufstieg in die 1. Division. Hier steht das Team zurzeit an der Spitze und vor dem weiteren Aufstieg. Der Aufschrei einfacher Fans gegen die Entfremdung des überirdischen Profifußballs hat es möglich gemacht.

Der »Rebel FC« oder »Little United«, wie er auch bezeichnet wird, ist im englischen Fußball ein unerhörter Vorgang. Der Generalmanager des FC United of Manchester, Andy Walsh (44), lässt keinen Raum für Zweifel. »Wir werden bleiben, denn ein Klub wie der FC United wird gebraucht.« In seinem bescheidenen »Hauptquartier«, fußläufig von Manchesters Bahnhof Piccadilly Station, beantwortete Andy Walsh Fragen von Reiner Oschmann.

ND: War es richtig, einen neuen Verein zu gründen?
Walsh: Die Entscheidung ist nicht aus dem Bauch gefallen. Wir haben den Verein gegründet, weil schon vor Übernahme durch Glazer die Belange der Fans bei den Oberen von Manchester United immer weniger galten. Es ging nur noch um Geld. Jede Bemühung, den Anhängern mit einer demokratischen Fan-Vertretung Gehör zu verschaffen, stieß auf taube Ohren.

Welche Sorgen haben die Fans vor allem bedrückt?
Die Abgehobenheit der Vereinsführung und die steigenden Ticketpreise, egal, ob für gelegentliche Besucher oder für Inhaber von Jahreskarten.

Zum Beispiel?
Das Ticket für einen Durchschnittsplatz in Old Trafford kostet 45 Pfund (ca. 60 Euro/d.A.) – fast das Doppelte wie vor fünf Jahren. Ein Kindersitz kostet so viel wie ein Erwachsenenticket. Viele Anhänger konnten und können sich einen Stadionbesuch nicht mehr leisten.

Sie sagen, der FC United gehöre demgegenüber seinen Fans. Was heißt das?
Unsere Eintrittspreise bei Heimspielen gehören zu den niedrigsten im Land. Vereinsmitglied kann werden, wer ein Pfund oder mehr spendet. Dennoch erhält jedes Mitglied nicht mehr als einen Anteil und nicht mehr als eine Stimme, egal, wie viel er gespendet hat. Darüber hinaus muss die Mitgliedschaft jedes Jahr neu erworben werden.

Wo gibt es Fanklubs des FC United?
Die meisten haben wir natürlich in Manchester und Umgebung. Aber es gibt auch welche in Schottland, Frankreich und Holland, Spanien, Kanada, den USA, selbst in Australien und Neuseeland.

Auch in Deutschland?
Dort haben wir bisher keine Unterstützer-Klubs, jedoch Anhänger in Düsseldorf.

Der FC beschreibt sich als halbprofessionell. Was verdienen die Spieler?
Sie erhalten ein Zusatzeinkommen, können aber nicht davon leben. Ein Spieler, der zwei Mal die Woche zum Einsatz kommt, erhält dafür umgerechnet rund 100 Euro. Das heißt, die Spieler müssen anderswo ihr Brot verdienen, auch der Trainer. Karl Marginson fährt Essen für Hotels aus, und sein Assistent ist Sozialarbeiter.

Welche Berufe haben die Spieler?
Gipser, Bauarbeiter und Buchhalterlehrling, Lkw-Fahrer, Student, Fensterbauer.

Zum ersten Geburtstag des FC bestritten Sie im Mai in Leipzig das erste internationale Freundschaftsspiel gegen den 1. FC Lok Leipzig (4:4). Für diesen Herbst war das Rückspiel in Manchester angekündigt. Was wird daraus?
Es ist aufgeschoben, aber nicht aufgehoben. Wegen unserer vielen Punktspieltermine, oft zwei Mal in der Woche, haben wir einfach noch keinen Termin gefunden.

Wann rechnen Sie mit dem Rückspiel?
Wahrscheinlich 2007.

Wie ist das Verhältnis zwischen Ihrem Verein und Manchester United?
Es gibt keinerlei Kontakt auf Klubebene, aber zwischen den Anhängern. Viele unserer Fans betrachten sich weiter auch als Anhänger von Manchester United, ich auch. Ich war aber seit Gründung des FC United nicht mehr in Old Trafford, aber im Fernsehen schaue ich mir Spiele von ManU an.

Hat Manchester United versucht, Sie und vor allem Ihre Fans wieder in den Schoß des Muttervereins zurückzuholen?
Nein. Es gab gelegentliche feindselige Äußerungen über unsere Anhänger von ManU-Manager Alex Ferguson, der sie Irre geleitete nennt.


PS: Letzteres fand auch der Autor bestätigt: Ein erster Kontakt zum Interview mit ManU-Kommunikationsdirektor Phil Townsend verlief überaus entgegenkommend. Als im Vorfeld das Thema FC United als Gesprächsgegenstand angedeutet wurde, war es um die Souveränität des Großvereins geschehen. In einer schriftlichen Antwort wurde mitgeteilt: »Bedauerlicherweise müssen wir Ihre Bitte ablehnen, da wir keine Interviews zu anderen Fußballklubs geben.« Als im Folgekontakt die Frage gestellt wurde, ob das abgewiesene Interesse an einem Statement zum FC United ein Verbot des Besuchs in Old Trafford für den deutschen Journalisten bedeute, wurde dies freundlich verneint, aber Wert darauf gelegt, ungefragt zu bekräftigen: »Wir müssen darauf hinweisen, dass es nie eine Verbindung zwischen diesem Klub und dem FC United gab oder gibt.«

English translation, from Babelfish. Treat with care.

In May 2005 the created new football club United OF Manchester brings above all its simple fans in the play

Manchester United is one of the most famous soccer clubs of the world, its stadium old meeting Ford the largest association stadium in Britannien. At the same time "one is United" today one of the most commercialized clubs of the world. Manchester United was bought up in May previous yearly by Malcolm Glazer, a betagten billionaire from the USA, - total value of its requirement: approximately a billion euro.

The reaction to the assumption of the association by an American investor: On 30 May 2005 indignant fans decided the establishment of a new, its simple trailers of obligated association: FC United OF Manchester. That denied its first play on 13 August 2005 in the 2. Division of the northwestEnglish county league - nine floors under the Prime Minister League the football Association. In April 2006 the new FC reached past record attendance and the ascent also over 6000 fans into the 1. Division. Here the team stands to time at the point and before the further ascent. The proclamation of simple fans against the alienation of the celestial professional football made it possible.

The "Rebel FC" or "Little United", as it is also designated, is in the English football an outrageous procedure. The general manager of the FC United OF Manchester, Andy Walsh (44), does not leave an area for doubts. "we will remain, because a club like the FC United is used." In his modest "headquarters", fusslaeufig of of Manchester station Piccadilly station, answered Andy Walsh questions of pure Oschmann.

ND: Was it correct to create a new association?
Walsh: The decision is not from the belly pleases. We created the association, because already before assumption by Glazer the interests of the fans applied ever less with the upper ones of Manchester United. It concerned only money. Each effort to provide for the trailers with a democratic fan agency hearing discovered deaf ears.

Which concerns oppressed the fans above all?
The taking offness of the association guidance and the rising ticket prices, no matter whether for occasional visitors or for owners of yearly maps.

For example?
The ticket for an average place in old meeting Ford costs 45 Pound (approx. 60 Euro/d.A.) - nearly the double as before five years. A child seat costs as much as an adult ticket. Many trailers could know and a stadium attendance any longer to afford.

They say, the FC United belongs in contrast to this to its fans. What is that called?
Our admission fees with heimspielen belong to the lowest in the country. Club member can become, who donates a Pound or a more. Each member nevertheless keeps no longer no matter as a portion and no more than one voice, how much it donated. Beyond that the membership must again be acquired each year.

Where are there fan clubs of the FC United?
We have most naturally in Manchester and Umgebung. But there are also which in Scotland, France and Holland, Spain, Canada, the USA, even in Australia and New Zealand.

Also in Germany?
There we have so far no supporter clubs, however trailers in Duesseldorf.

The FC describes itself as halfprofessional. What do the players earn?
They receive an auxiliary income, cannot however not on it live. A player, who is used two times the week, keeps converted for it approximately 100 euro. That is, the players must earn elsewhere her bread, also the coach. Karl Marginson drives meals out for hotels, and its assistant is social worker.

Which occupations have the players?
Gipser, building worker and accountant apprentice, truck driver, student, window farmer.

For the first birthday of the FC you denied the first international friendship game in May in Leipzig against the 1. FC locomotive Leipzig (4:4). For this autumn the replay was announced in Manchester. What becomes from it?
It is postponed, but not waived. Because of our many point play dates, often in the week, we found simply still no date to two times.

When do you count on the replay?
Probably 2007.

How is the relationship between its association and Manchester United?
There is no contact on club level, but between the trailers. Many of our fans regard themselves far also as trailers of Manchester United, I also. I was not however since establishment of the FC United any more in old meeting Ford, but on the television I look at myself plays of ManU.

Did Manchester United try to fetch you and above all your fans back again into the lap of the nut/mother association?
No. There were occasional hostile expressions over our trailers of ManU manager Alex Ferguson, which errs her led calls.

PS: The latter found also the author confirmed: A first contact to the interview with ManU Kommunikationsdirektor Phil Townsend ran extremely accomodating. When in the apron the topic FC United was suggested as discussion article, it had happened around the sovereignty of the large association. In a written answer one communicated: "regrettably we do not have to reject your please, there we interviews to other soccer clubs give." When in the make before break the question was asked whether the rejected interest in a statement means a prohibition of the attendance in old meeting Ford to the FC United for the German journalist was friendly answered in the negative, this, but value on it put, ungefragt to affirm: "we must point out that there was never a connection between this club and the FC United or gives."

Fans bay for Squires Gate blood

Edited from blackpooltoday.co.uk

MORE than 3,000 rival fans will be baying for Squires Gate's blood tomorrow.

They're banking on Gate becoming their 14th victims in 15 matches as the FC United of Manchester bandwagon rolls on towards a second successive promotion in the North-West Counties League.

Crowds at Bury's Gigg Lane ground for the first division leaders' last two Saturday home games have been 3,381 and 3,268 but Gate manager Stuart Parker believes that tomorrow's bumper gallery could have little to shout about.

"It's a big occasion but we're not just going there to enjoy it or make up the numbers – we'll try to win," said Parker, who played 26 times for Bury in the early 80s.

"I don't expect my players to be intimidated. Many are young but experienced. Some played under me at Blackpool Mechs in biggish games in the League Cup two years ago and last season we made the last eight of the FA Vase.

"They've nothing to be afraid of. They'll savour the occasion rather than worry about it and I'm expecting a good performance."

Gate centre-half Mark Moretti knows what to expect because he skippered Mechs at Gigg Lane last season when 2,266 watched FC United win the second division game 4-2.

Goalkeeper Peter Summerfield has rejoined Gate on his return from America and stands by tomorrow because of doubts over regular no.1 Ben Morris, who has missed the last two games following a kick on the head.

Out injured are Kevan Ford, Lee Catlow and Craig Boothby

Daisy's uphill task

Source: thisislancashire.co.uk

By Liam Chronnell

DAISY Hill face a tough trip to high-flying Darwen in the first round of the League Challenge Cup tomorrow.

Tommy Moore's young side suffered their first defeat in four games last weekend, and will be hoping to bounce back against their Division Two rivals.

Meanwhile, FC United will look to stretch their eight-point lead at the top of Division One when they entertain Squires Gate at Gigg Lane.

The Rebel club have taken 39 points out of a possible 42, and will be confident of adding another maximum haul against the lowly Blackpool side.

Atherton Collieries will want to get back on track after they suffered a shock defeat - their first in eight games - against struggling Formby in midweek.

Colls travel to in-form Congleton Town, while Atherton LR entertain Salford City, the only team to beat FC United this season.

Early goal blitz keeps FC flying

Source: thisislancashire.co.uk

By Liam Chronnell

LEADERS FC United continued their dominance of the North West Counties League Division One with an emphatic 3-0 victory over St Helens Town.

The Rebel club blitzed the struggling visitors with three goals inside 23 first half minutes in front of 1,851 supporters at Gigg Lane.

Midfielder Simon Carden opened the scoring on seven minutes with his third goal in five days.

The prolific Stuart Rudd doubled the hosts' advantage when he headed home his 18th goal of the season on 17 minutes.

Dave Brown completed the scoring on the half hour mark on what turned out to be an easy night for the breakaway club.

Salford draw FC

Source: Salford Advertiser

SALFORD City set up a mouth-watering clash with FC United by seeing off Blackpool Mechanics 2-1 in the first round proper of the FA Vase.

City beat the rebel reds by the same score in front of 4,058 fans in the league last Tuesday night.

So they will be confident of coming out on top when the sides clash in the national Vase competition on Saturday, November 18.

Salford have home advantage over their fellow North West Counties first division high-flyers. But, with last week’s game sparking crowd trouble at the Willows, the game may well end up having to be played elsewhere.

A venue decision should be made by the end of the week.

City secretary Bill Taylor said: "Our Moor Lane ground is an option but the problem is that we are only licensed for 1,400 people and, after last week, that is nowhere near enough."

Salford were always in full control of their first round game against Blackpool.

The Mechanics are unbeaten in the North West Counties second division but they rarely troubled City goalkeeper Andy Moores.

City were in full flow after the break and their pressure paid off on the hour mark.

Tunji Moses netted at the second attempt after his close range shot from Jamie Bagguley’s inch-perfect cross had cannoned back off Blackpool’s goalkeeper.

Ten minutes later and the tie was wrapped up. A well struck free kick from wide on the left wing from Mattie Burke evaded everyone and nestled into the far corner of Blackpool’s goal.

Striker John Robinson was suspended for the Blackpool game but he returned for Salford’s 4-4 league draw with Congleton Town on Tuesday night.

City were leading 4-2 with just two minutes remaining thanks to a Nick Robinson goal, a Lee McNally wonder strike, a Burke penalty and a Bagguley free kick.

Congleton’s two late goals leaves City fourth in the first division table.

Salford face two league games at Atherton sides this week.

They visit Atherton LR on Saturday, October 14, kick-off 3pm, and Atherton Collieries on Monday, October 16, kick-off 7.45pm.

Meanwhile, Salford City’s youth team came from behind to complete the double over FC United Youth with a 3-1 away day success. They were indebted to two Curtis Connell goals and another free kick special from Richard Dunn.

First published by the Salford Advertiser

FC United 3-0 St Helens Town

(Thursday 12 October 2006)
Football
By MIKE ROBERTS at Gigg Lane
Source: Morning Star
FC United of Manchester heralded a return to winning ways on Wednesday night, overcoming lowly St Helens Town 3-0 to consolidate their commanding lead at the top of the North West Counties First Division.

Their visitors, surprise strugglers froze in the face of a ruthless first-half performance from Karl Marginson's breakaway side. Goals from Simon Carden, Stuart Rudd and central defender Dave Brown saw FC United go 3-0 up after 25minutes and, though St. Helens recovered in time to stop the rot, by then it was too late.

Indeed, only an inspired performance between the posts by Mark Nicolson in the St Helens goal prevented the score from reaching much more as a rampant FC United, sensing little resistance during the opening minutes began to take control. Simon Carden took just seven minutes to break the deadlock, applying the close range finishing touch to a move which saw stand-in captain Rory Patterson beat the shellshocked keeper with a low shot.

Centre forward Johnathan Rudd stooped to nod home a second after Josh Howard's free kick had caused confusion in the St Helens penalty area. Howard, who took every opportunity to cause mayhem on the left flank, carved out another opportunity for Rudd that saw Nicolson react smartly to block after Mark Evans had made rather a hash of an attempted clearance.

Nicolson then denied Rudd and Giggs, but could little to stop Dave Brown's far-post header to make it 3-0.

In the second half FC United manager Karl Marginson made a triple substitution on the hour that saw new boy Nick Platt make his debut for the rebel Manchester club. Platt, a former student at the Liverpool footballing academy arrived via Stalybridge Celtic after spending much of last season turning out for Burnley's reserve side. Though there were no further goals, the home side remained in command throughout, as the match finished with a 3-0 scoreline.

TEAMS:

FC United: Ashton, Taylor, Mortimer (Ormes 61), Spencer (Platt 61), Brown, Coyne, Giggs, Carden (Smith 61), Rudd, Howard, Patterson

St. Helens Town: Nicolson, Reilly, Evans, Sumner (Spendlove 64), Elias, Leyland, Cliff (Webser 72), Hilton, Hatton, Dyson, Howgate (Walker 90)

Attendance: 1,851

Rebels bounce back with victory

Source: M.E.N.

FC UNITED returned to winning ways in the league with a 3-0 demolition of St Helens Town.

The Reds proved the 2-1 defeat to Salford City was behind them with an assured performance in front of 1,851 fans at Gigg Lane.

Simon Carden grabbed his third goal of the week to begin the rout after good work from Rory Patterson then striker Stuart Rudd added a second with a header from a Josh Howard free-kick.

The third was a free header for Dave Brown from a Mortimer corner.

FC host Squires Gate on Saturday at Gigg Lane (3pm).

FC United aim to bounce back

Source: thisislancashire.co.uk

By Liam Chronnell

FC UNITED will hope to strengthen their grip at the top of the North West Counties League Division One table when they entertain lowly St Helens Town at Gigg Lane tonight.

The Rebels return to league action for the first time since suffering their first defeat of the season at the hands of rivals Salford City eight days ago which ended a run of 12 consecutive victories.

But Karl Marginson's side should have no problems against the struggling Merseysiders, although he could be without injured influential defenders Dave Chadwick and Rob Nugent, who will undergo late fitness tests.

Rebels push for the double

Source: M.E.N.

FC UNITED are red-hot favourites to complete their first league double of the season when they entertain St Helens Town at Gigg Lane tonight (7.45pm).

Karl Marginson’s rebels launched the campaign with a 2-0 victory at Knowsley Road, the first of 12 successive NW Counties League triumphs which have seen them establish a five-point lead in division one.

Having had that run halted by Salford City, FC United will be looking to get back to winning ways against a Saints side who have won just one of their opening 10 games.

FC United on revenge trail

Source: thisislancashire.co.uk

By Liam Chronnell

FC UNITED will have an early opportunity to avenge their only defeat of the season after being drawn against Salford City in the second round of the FA Vase.

The breakaway club, who were chasing their 13th consecutive victory, failed to rewrite the record books when they went down 2-1 to their rivals last Tuesday night.

Now Salford stand in the way of Karl Marginson's side's hopes of reaching Wembley when they do battle on Saturday, November 18, in a game which is again likely to be switched to The Willows, the home of Salford City Reds, to cater for the widespread interest after last week's clash attracted a crowd of more than 4,000.

Padiham's Game Of The Century

Source: eastlancashireonline.co.uk

PADIHAM was taken over by a sea of red and white as Manchester United's breakaway football club FC United arrived for its big clash with The Storks.
The first-round cup tie of the FA Carlsberg Vase Cup on Saturday brought more than 1,200 FC United fans to the town, who flocked to Padiham's pubs before making their way to the Arbories Memorial Ground for the game.
Padiham FC eventually lost out to the visitors, who won the game 3-0, but the Arbories got its biggest attendance in 50 years with a bumper crowd of 1,371, mainly thanks to the FC United fans, who filled more than three-quarters of the ground.
Pubs including The Grove, the Hare and Hounds, The Alma and The Starkie Arms, among many others, were packed with fans and some donated their car parks to the away team for the game, and pie and peas were served to both teams' fans at The Grove before and after the game.
The team was formed by disgruntled Manchester United fans who disagreed with American businessman Malcolm Glazer's takeover of The Red Devils in May last year. FC United was born, with new red and white football strips and scarves and were accepted into the North West Counties Football League.
Storks secretary Alan Smith said the club hoped to make up to £3,000 from the game. He added: "It was a lively match and I think everyone who was there will remember it for a long time, because the majority of people will never have seen the ground that full.
"We are really proud that a little club like Padiham FC can stage a game of football on this scale."
10 October 2006

No Fireworks In Storks Crash

Source: burnleytoday.co.uk

Padiham 0
FC United 3

YOU can't help but feel that the fireworks were in the wrong place on Saturday.

FC United's travelling hoards launched rockets during the half-time interval of this FA Carlsberg Vase tie.

But there seemed little to suggest that those fireworks had spread to the players, on the pitch.

Leading up to the game, Steve Wilkes had told his players to seize the day.

And just 10 minutes into proceedings, a certain course of events handed his players the perfect opportunity to do just that.

But Padiham let the chance to grab the headlines pass them by.

Rory Patterson's burst down the right hand side prompted Storks keeper Gavin King to come rushing out of his goal.

A sliding save on the FC United winger saw King seemingly take the ball cleanly, only for the referee to point to the spot.

That decision sparked scenes of disbelief from the Padiham players, not to mention King and skipper Paul Paynter.

Wilkes himself even paraded miles out of his technical area to air his views, on what was an appalling decision by the official.

However, justice was done when Patterson screwed his shot hopelessly wide of the post, with King rooted to the spot.

On the incident, Wilkes said afterwards: "It's never a penalty, the referee has even apologised at half-time. Yes the guy has put it wide, but I never thought we went on from that.

"For the first 60 or 65 minutes we were in the game but that was all, we never really seized the initiative.

"You would have thought them missing a penalty so early on would have boosted he lads, but it never did.

"We never got it down and played, we gave it away too much and you can't do that against anyone, especially FC United.

"But I just don't think we believed in ourselves that we could go out there and do a job."

A bumper crowd of 1,371 saw the visitors start like a train, with the Storks' defensive line having to be on their toes from the off.

Their first nervy moment came when, with seven minutes gone, Alex Mortimer got down the left and played the ball in for Rhodri Giggs, but the brother of Manchester United's Ryan had just strayed off-side.

The talking point of the game, let alone the first half, then came and went, but you got the feeling that the Storks never really seized the initiative from Patterson's penalty miss.

Patterson was enjoying himself on the right, and another foray into the box saw him flash a shot across the face of goal.

Stuart Rudd was inches away from heading in Giggs' centre, while Padiham's first real opportunity came when Paul Fildes hammered a free kick straight at Sam Ashton, after Paul Barrett had been hacked down on the edge of the box.

Ed O'Neill sent a drilled effort just wide of the upright, while Simon Carden came closest to breaking the deadlock right on half-time with a miscued scissor kick.

Going in at the break goalless, Padiham must have thought they were still in with a shout.

And they almost got their noses in front within minutes of the restart, as Barrett broke before feeding Fildes, but the former Nelson man took too long with his effort and shot wide.

From that point on, FC United began to dominate, with Rob Nugent and Josh Howard both seeing efforts sail over.

But just after the hour, the deadlock was broken when a ball into the box was flicked on by Rudd, and Carden beat the off-side trap to lift the ball over King.

An unmarked Nugent then headed over Mortimer's corner, but it was soon 2-0 when Giggs broke down the right and crossed low for Carden to head home from close range.

Substitute Adie Orr almost got his name on the scoresheet when he burst through, but King did enough to force a corner.

But the game was wrapped up in injury time, as Rudd latched on to a high bouncing ball, and lobbed King to leave Padiham wondering what might have been.

Padiham: King, Pickup, Ingham (Rutledge 82), Paynter, Barnham, Woods (McCluskey 74), O'Neill, Parkes, Barrett (Steele, 76), Fildes, Bennett. Subs not used: Galley, Rhodes.

10 October 2006

Rebels in bid for revenge

Source: M.E.N.

BY STUART BRENNAN

FC United are on a revenge mission after drawing Salford City in the second round proper of the FA Vase.

Salford ended the Rebels’ 100 per cent start to the season last week with a 2-1 league win in a match which attracted 4,058 fans to the Willows.

Now the North West Counties first division promotion-chasers clash again on November 18, and Salford are hoping to make a decision on the venue by the end of the week.

Said secretary Bill Taylor: “Our own Moor Lane ground is an option, but the problem is that we are only licensed for 1,400 and after last week that is nowhere near enough.”

Salford City Reds are said to have been happy with the staging of the match at their stadium, despite a tense atmosphere between the two sets of fans, so a return to the Willows is also a possibility.

Simon takes it as wed!

Source: M.E.N.

STUART BRENNAN

FC UNITED hero Simon Carden has a strange sense of romance - until it comes to his club’s dreams of reaching Wembley.

The Rebels midfielder scored twice and set up the third as they broke down Padiham’s stiff resistance in the first round proper of the FA Vase.

The warehouse worker had not started for FC for nearly three weeks as he took his new bride Theresa on honeymoon... supping Guinness in Dublin.

But after being recalled, Carden made an immediate impact in front of a near-capacity 1,371 crowd at the Arbories Memorial Ground in north Lancashire.

He clinically finished chances in the 65th and 73rd minutes before sending Stuart Rudd clear for his 17th goal of the season in the sixth minute of injury time.

That put FC into today’s draw for the second round, but manager Karl Marginson warned: “It’s early days. Once it goes national you never know who you can come up against.”

FC United, Colls go through

Source: thisislancashire.co.uk

By Liam Chronnell

A second-half brace from Simon Carden ensured FC United continued on the road Wembley as they booked their place in round two of the FA Vase.

The midfielder struck on 65 and 73 minutes before top-scorer Stuart Rudd completed the 3-0 win against Division Two outfit Padiham in the final minute.

Atherton Collieries will also be in today's draw for the next round after they enjoyed a superb 4-0 home victory against previously unbeaten Cheshire outfit Winsford United.

Jermaine Peters, Anthony Pilkington (2) and Andy Harvie were on target as Colls overcame the high-flying visitors from the league below and stretched their unbeaten run to an impressive seven matches.

GIGGSY SHINES AS FC REBOUND

Source: The Non-League Paper (no online content)

THE VISIT to Padiham offered the chance for United to put the disappointment of Tuesday's first defeat of the season behind them.

The home side with a brisk breeze at their backs in the first period managed to hold FC United to just a few good opportunities.

The best saw Rory Patterson drag his penalty wide of goal after he had been upended by Padiham keeper Gavin King on then nimutes.

Padiham were restricted to long range efforts with Paul Fildes seeing Sam Ashton comfortably hold a 25-yard freekick and Ed O'Neill hitting a left-footed shot from a similar distance that flew wide of the left post after good set-up work by Fildes.

The first period closed with Rhodri Giggs getting down the right flank to the byline before crossing for Simon Carden who hooked a volley just over from then yards out.

Padiham found it much more difficult to clear their lines in the second half.

The home side spent long periods under the cosh and it seemed only a matter of time before the deadlock would be broken.

Giggs, who put in his best performance since joining United in the summer, nearly registered the opener, but his near-post flicked header from a Josh Howard corner kick rebounded to safety from the frame.

Giggs had a part in the opening goal as his angled cross in found Stuart Rudd via a defender's head.

Rudd turned the ball across to Simon Carden who calmly lifted his shot into the net beyond King.

The game was made safe on 73 minutes as Carden headed home a pinpoint Giggs cross from close range after an incisive rund forward from Alex Mortimer had released him into space on the right.

The third and final goal came deep into stoppage time and saw Stuart Rudd adding to his goal tally as King came to the edge of his area to be beaten by a lob that bounced into the net.

STAR MAN: Carden (FC United)
MATCH RATING: 3/5

Padiham 0-3 FC United

Source: Morning Star

by MIKE ROBERTS at the Arbories Memorial Sports Ground

Bouncing back from Tuesday night's midweek defeat at Salford City, the rebel club again found their hosts difficult to break down, despite enjoying the lion's share of possession. Steve Spencer fed Rory Patterson with a superb through-ball, but the FC United striker was upended by Padiham 'keeper Gavin King as he was about to apply the finishing touch. King found his name being taken by the referee and Patterson rolled the resulting penalty kick a foot wide.

Patterson was again sent clear courtesy of a super pass from captain Dave Chadwick, but this time flashed a shot across the face of the goal with the home defence at full stretch. In response, Ed O'Neill's 20-yard effort flashed inches wide, as the home side looked to do their damage on the break.

The second half began in much the same fashion as the first with the visitors forcing a succession of corners and it was only a matter of time before they took the lead.

It was Rhodri Giggs who twice supplied the telling centres from the right-hand side, his first being nodded down by Stuard Rudd to leave Simon Carden with the easy task of firing the Reds in front. When Giggs, brother of Manchester United's Ryan, again got free on the right flank, his telling cross was prodded home by the stooping Carden to put the result effectively beyond doubt.

Centre forward Stuart Rudd added a third in the dying seconds to trigger the celebrations among a significant contingent of travelling supporters, but Padiham had dug in and their decision to play the fixture on their home ground was perhaps a lesson to other clubs at this level, as the Burnley-based side kept the Manchester club at bay during the first hour of the contest.

TEAMS:

Padiham: King, Pickup, Ingham, Paynter, Barnham, Woods, OíNeill, Parkes, Barrett, Fildes, Bennett

FC United: Ashton, Taylor, Mortimer, Spencer, Chadwick, Nugent, Giggs, Carden, Rudd, Howard, Patterson

Attendance: Attendance: 1371.

We put league first say United

Source: The Non-League Paper (no online content)

Padiham -v- FC United

FC UNITED assistant-manager Phil Power ways winning the Vase would mean next to nothing if the Rebels fail to win promotion, writes DANIELLA MARTAR.

Salford City stopped United's 12-game winning streak in the league with two late goals on Tuesday.

Skelmersdale had also won 12 before City intervened, but Power says United's first defeat could be a blessing in disguise ahead of the Vase clash with Padiham.

"Salford must be record-busters!" he said. "It was a big disappointment, but at least it's out of the way now. It's a burden off us.

"The players like the cup and the fans love it, but we can't take our eye off the league. The way we've been playing, the double is definitely a possibility."

The Reds got their Vase campaign off ot a flyer, beating Brodsworth MW 3-1.

Padiham, the first team the Rebels played in a home game at Bury's Gigg Lane, are hot on the leaders' heels in North West Counties Division Two.

Their 1-0 defeat of Cheadle Town in the first round was watched by 94 people, but United have already sold over 1,000 tickets for this one.

And Power added: "They are a tough nut to crack, but after the start we've had, we're not afraid of anyone.

"We beat holders Nontwich in the league earlier this season so that shows what we are capable of."

FC United Keep Their Dignity

Source: The Non-League Paper, comments page (no online content)

FC United are attracting a lunatic fringe of rivals. That much seems sadly official after the disgraceful scenes during United's 2-1 defeat at Salford City on Tuesday. One eye witness who telephoned the NLP said the scenes reminded him of the Seventies. Thankfully that seems to have been an over-reaction as no arrests were made and no injuries reported after a minority of the 4000 crowd had to be separated by stewards and police. It was FC United's first defeat after 12 wins in a row had taken them clear at the top of the North West Counties Premier Division. Yells of "Judas" were heard being directed at sections of the crowd and two men unfurled derogatory banners in the centre of the pitch.

FC United have reacted with dignity in the face of such provocation. Chief Executive Andy Walsh has told his club to expect more such behaviour as the climb the Pyramid. But he adds:
"I'd rather celebrate the fact that there were more than 4000 fans at a Step 5 Non-League football match than the actions of a couple of idiots."

The situation, though, has clearly not been helped by comments from Sir Alex Ferguson's latest book, where the Old Trafford boss writes of FC United: "I wonder just how big a United supporter they are. They seem to be promoting themselves a wee bit. It's more about them than us."

Sir Alex should choose his words as carefully as Andy Walsh.

Borough given painful lesson by ambitious new United

Source: therossendalefreepress.co.uk

The game was played 30 September, this article was first published 6 October. -Ed

FC United 3
Bacup Borough 0

IT WAS a backs-to-the-wall afternoon for Bacup Borough, who were savaged by a rampant FC United in front of a fervent crowd of 3,268 at Gigg Lane.

Bacup defended like Trojans, but they had to in the face of wave after wave of United attacks.
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And quite how Borough got to half time on level terms will remain one of the season’s great mysteries.

But once they went behind, to a cruel own goal after the break, there was always going to be only one winner.

It took United just two minutes to create the first of a litany of first half chances that were either spurned, spoiled, spooned over the bar or sliced wide.

The first half timetable ran like this.

Two mins: Stepover by Stuart Rudd leaves Rhodri Giggs with shot on goal but shoots wide.

Six mins: Rudd heads wide.

Eight mins: Rudd effort blocked and ball falls to Dave Chadwick, who somehow misses an open goal from six yards with Bacup keeper Tommy Allen on the ground.

15 mins: Hughes brings down Rudd on edge of box and Giggs fires free kick over bar.

16 mins: Bacup’s Ian Barker has header deflected away for corner.

17 mins: United break and good run down right by Matt Taylor ends with a cross into the box that William Ahern could not convert.

19 mins: Ian Barker looses possession after receiving ball near half way line and is faced by four defenders and has no support.

20 mins: Rory Patterson’s cross into the box just eludes Rudd.

22 mins: Bacup keeper Tommy Allen mishandles a cross but drops on loose ball in the area.

24 mins: Patterson has only Allen to beat but lifts his shot over the bar.

30mins: Taylor forces Allen to push the ball away for a corner and Giggs heads corner onto the top of net.

31 mins: Good flowing United move sets up Spencer, who side-foots the ball past Allen but it bounces off the post and back to the keeper.

32 mins: Taylor makes a great tackle to deny Herbert a shooting opportunity in one of Bacup’s rare forays forward.

34 mins: Josh Howard tries to curl a shot up and around Allen but clears the bar.

37 mins: Patterson crosses for Giggs and his back heel flick hits the post and goes wide.

40 mins: Wing back Alex Mortimer, who had run riot on the right, was given an ear-bashing by Giggs for blasting a free kick over the bar.

43 mins: Stuart Rudd forces Allen to save a fierce drive from outside the area.

44 mins: Defensive header by Shepherd prevents Howard getting on the end of ball into the box.

46 mins: Giggs sends Reds fans into raptures with the first goal but it is ruled out for offside.

Having survived that little lot, Bacup’s new signing Simon Myerscough then conceded an own goal five minutes into the second half when he turned Rudd’s effort past Allen. And that was the beginning of the end.

Rudd put the result beyond doubt on 69 minutes with an astute near post header that went across Allen.

And on 80 minutes a corner from Mortimer fell to Liam Coyne and he netted with a side-foot volley to seal a victory that gave United a record-equalling 12th straight win in the league.

Throughout the second half Bacup keeper Tommy Allen was subject to some merciless taunting from the FC United supportes behind his goal. But he took the abuse with a smile on his face and had the last laugh by being named man of the match.

Bacup boss Brent Peters said: ‘This was a massive day for some of my players because these lads have not played on a Football League ground in front of an average Division Two crowd.

‘I gave them the full works of having the pre-match organisation of a football league club and I said that they had to live the dream. But come 5pm the dream would be over and it would be too late to think if only I had done this or done that. I told them how important it was that whatever the outcome, they must not let themselves down.

‘I also told them that the players of FC United of Manchester were of an equal standing and competing in the North West Counties League. It was my belief that we would not concede and despite having to defend for long periods in the first half – mainly down to our poor ball retention – every man in the team worked tirelessly to contain their opponent.

‘Yes, at times we may have lived a charmed life but had we taken more care in our passing then things could have been different. Nevertheless come the break the game plan was working.

‘Then agonisingly Simon Myrescough sliced the ball into his own goal in an attempt to clear and this turned the dream into a nightmare.

‘There is no doubt in my mind the own goal killed us. But the work rate people like Bryan Herbert, Lee Oldham, Ian Barker and Simon Myrescough put in trying to contain the pace of their wide players and their two quality full backs was nothing short of remarkable. FC United of Manchester are a very good side but if only that own goal had not been conceded I am sure the organisation and work ethic of my lads would have got them something. In the end the dream became a nightmare.’

First published by the Rossendale Free Press

Preview: Padiham v FC United

Source: M.E.N.

Stuart Brennan

FC UNITED are counting the cost of Tuesday night's defeat by Salford City as they head into tomorrow's FA Vase first round proper tie at Padiham.

The Rebels are likely to be without key defender Rob Nugent and striker Rory Patterson with knee injuries, both victims of Salford's determined approach to the game, and will also miss midfielder Will Ahern through suspension. Liam Coyne, Adie Orr and Simon Carden are expected to step in as replacements as Marginson

Manager Karl Marginson also believes that the defeat, which wrecked FC's bid to set a new North West Counties League record of 13 straight wins at the start of the season, will only serve to encourage second division opponents Padiham.

FC twice beat the Lancashire side narrowly in last season's promotion campaign, and the Storks are this season undefeated at home, their only league defeat so far being to Runcorn Linnets.

But Marginson said: "Padiham will have been given heart from the defeat, because it took the 'invincibility' factor out of it. But it also takes a bit of pressure off us, and is a reminder that you have to be 100 per cent all the time.

"You have to give Salford loads of credit, but their two goals were down to mistakes by us. I learned a lot about different characters at the Willows, because we should have seen the game off at 1-0.

"We were trying to tell our lads about it but they couldn't hear us with all the crowd's banter.

Marginson expects Padiham to present a similar challenge in front of an expected 1,700 all-ticket crowd at the Arbories Memorial Ground: "They are a typical North West Counties side, in your face, putting their foot in, and we have to match that."

Wilkes: I’d love to face rebels

Source: Lancashire Telegraph

By Gavin Gibbon

PADIHAM manager Steve Wilkes is gutted he isn't still playing, so he could pick himself for tomorrow's FA Vase match against high- flying FC United.

Wilkes said the whole squad was looking forward to the game and admitted to having goose bumps as he talked about the fixture.

He said: "I don't think our players will be overawed by the occasion. I only wish I was two or three years younger so that I could pick myself.

"It's going to be a fantastic day, the atmosphere is going to be fantastic. I watched them on Tuesday night at Salford and their fans never stopped singing. There was about 4,000 of them.

"Some of the kids in our squad have never played in front of a crowd that big before and they might never again.

"The last thing I'll be saying to the players as they leave the changing room on Saturday will be to enjoy the day, because it might never come round again.

"I can't wait. I get goose bumps when I think about it. As a player, I used to get butterflies when I played and I've got that feeling back again.

"I'm really looking forward to it."

FC United have gone from strength to strength since their rebel formation last year with promotion in their first season.

And they started this season in similarly blistering fashion with 12 straight wins - a 2-1 defeat to Salford during the week was their first loss of the campaign.

But Wilkes, who watched his side go down 3-2 and 2-1 against United last season, said they would be treating their visit to the Arbories the same as any other game.

He said: "I asked the players after last Saturday's match if they wanted to do anything different for this game. If they wanted to meet early and have a bite to eat at the club and they all said they wanted to prepare as if it was just another game.

"I think it'll be an eye opener for some of their players who haven't played here before.

"And I've seen one or two things from their game on Tuesday that I think we can explore.

"You know what cup competitions are like. You never know on the day what can happen. We're definitely not fearing them though.

"I wouldn't be doing my job properly if I said we were going to line nine men behind the ball.

"We're going to go out there, give it our best shot and enjoy it."

Wilkes has a fully-fit squad to choose from.

Talk Is Over...Storks Ready For Action!

Source: burnleytoday.co.uk

THE tickets are flying out, the pies have been ordered, and the stage is set.

But more importantly, all the talk is now over.
Padiham are gearing up for undoubtedly the biggest game in their history tomorrow.
And boss Steve Wilkes admits he is getting goosebumps already.
FC United and their barrage of supporters make the trip to the Arbories in the first round of the FA Carlsberg Vase (kick-off 3 p.m.).
And Wilkes can't wait for tomorrow to come around: "This is a massive weekend for us, massive.
"I'm really looking forward to it, because these kinds of games don't come around every day.
"But it is strange for me, because as much as I want to win the game, it is important for the football club to benefit in other areas.
"I don't think a game of this size has come to Padiham for a long time, so I just hope we can attract as many people as we can.
"To be honest, it couldn't have dropped on a better weekend, but we want as many people to come and support Padiham as possible.
"We want them to support us and be up for it, because there is no doubt that we all are.
"Obviously we are big underdogs, but there is no pressure on us, and we will be going out to enjoy ourselves."
"We're in our back yard, but the unfortunate thing is our facilities are fantastic.
"The changing rooms are fantastic, and our pitch is one of the best in the league.
"I've been trying to get some tractors up to churn the pitch up a bit, but that hasn't worked!"
He added: "The one thing I can say is that I won't have to gee the lads up for the game.
"We'll have to roll our sleeves up and work hard, but the motivation should come itself.
"If you can't get up for a game like this, then you can't get up for anything.
"I get goosebumps just thinking about the game, that's what it means to me.
"But I got to the semi-finals of this competition with Bamber Bridge, so the competition means a lot as well.
"We have to go out there and battle, but I have got every faith in my players that they will do.
"If I didn't, I wouldn't have them with me, simple as that."
A massive 231 sides still harbour hopes of FA Carlsberg Vase glory.
But Wilkes feels his side will be the envy of them all when they take to the field tomorrow.
And he admitted his stomach started to do somersaults after the final whistle in the last round: "Even when we beat Cheadle, if I said we hadn't spoke about this game I'd be lying.
"At 3 p.m. on Saturday, we will be the envy of every other side in the FA Vase.
"Everyone will have one eye on the outcome of this game, because everyone wants to play them at some stage.
"They'll definitely be one of the favourites, but financially, everyone wants to play them.
"The North West Counties First Division is as high as it goes in the Vase, and they are no mugs themselves.
"But the two games we played against them last season, we were disappointed not to come away with anything.
"We thought we deserved something from both games, but we need to go out there and keep the fans quiet.
"They are a big reason for their success, but it's what happens on the day."
Wilkes was in the stand to witness FC United suffer their first defeat of the season on Tuesday.
After 12 successive wins, two late goals saw them beaten 2-1 at Salford City.
And that result was met with disappointment from the Storks boss: "At the end of the day, this side are no world beaters.
"Salford got two late goals against them on Tuesday, but in a strange way, I was quite disappointed with that result.
"Every run has to come to an end sometime, whether you are Chelsea or Daisy Hill.
"The law of averages say everyone has to lose at some point, but I would have preferred them to come here still unbeaten.
"That way I could have said to the lads 'go out and be the first lads to beat them this season'.
"But we will have to make do with being the second side instead."
Tickets will remain on sale until tonight from the Padiham life office in the town hall, the Bridge Inn Pub and Mark Jinkinson Optometrists, priced at £7 for adults and £2 for Under 16s. There will be no paid admission to The Arbories on the day.
Fans are asked to arrive at the ground early, with the gates open from 1-30 p.m.
Further information on the game is available from secretary Alan Smith (07775 717698).
l Full report and picture special in Tuesday's Express.

United face hate mob

Source: The Non-League Paper (no online content)

Police called in as supporters clash

FC UNITED chief executive Andy Walsh has warned the club's legion of fans to expect more provocation as the Rebels continue to climb the Non-League Pyramid.

Walsh was speaking after trouble flared during United's last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Salford City on Tuesday night.

More than 4,000 supporters were at the Willows - home of Salford City Reds rugby league club - and a minority of fans had to be separated by stewards and Greater Manchester Police.

Two supporters had unfurled an anti-FC United banner on the pitch at the start of the second half and banter between the supporters threatened to spill over when Nick Robinson earned Salford the points in injury time.

Chants of 'Judas, Judas' were directed towards the FC United fans, but Walsh said:

"The further we go and the higher we progress more people will want to see us getting beaten and fail.

"We're bound to get rivalries as we develop and people will want to rubbish us.

"Fans were exchanging chants - that's what they do - but there were no fights, no arrests and nobody was injured. I'd rather celebrate the fact that there were more than 4,000 fans at a Step 5 Non-League football match - not the actions of a couple of idiots."

Police confirmed that no arrests were made but one bystander - who wished to remain anonymous - admitted events off the pitch had soured what happenened on it.

He said: "It was like going back 30 years at the end and a lot of people, particularly the women and children, were scared.

"It's not what you expect to see at these games and it spoilt a good evening.

"FC United matches aren't about any of that and their success has been built on the back of a fantastic family atmosphere but there was a poisonous atmosphere on Tuesday.

"Some people had obviously gone to the match intent on stirring up trouble."