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.
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