Source: South Manchester ReporterTHOUSANDS of Reds and Blues enjoyed a real derby day atmosphere as the breakaway Manchester United team took on a club started by Manchester City fans.
More than 3,100 fans travelled to Stalybridge to see FC United beat Maine Road by two goals to one in an incident-filled encounter.
The game was a harkback to the long lost days of football. Fans stood shoulder-to shoulder on the terraces, sang from start to finish and paid just £7 to get in.
Chorlton-based Maine Road, which was founded by City fans 51 years ago, played half of the game with ten men following the sending off of Marc Clancy but were squeezed out by two goals from Stuart Rudd.
The game was moved from Maine Road's home at Brantingham Road to Stalybridge Celtic’s Bower Field ground to accommodate the large number of fans wanting to attend. It was played in a partisan atmosphere with around 2,500 FC supporters finding some opposition in the shape of around 500 Road fans and some curious Blues.
Profits from the game are expected to cover Maine Road’s costs until the end of next season. Manager Ian Walker said: "It was the most enjoyable game of football in which I have been involved. The atmosphere FC United create is absolutely superb."
The two teams will meet again in the return fixture at Gigg Lane in Bury on April 9.
FC manager Karl Marginson said: "Road’s attitude was excellent - I have nothing but admiration for them."
First published by the South Manchester Reporter
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