Giggs' United front

Source: TheFA.com

Salford City v FC United of Manchester

The FA Carlsberg Vase
Second Round Proper
12.00 noon, Saturday 18 November 2006


Rhodri Giggs is the brother of Manchester United and Wales star Ryan Giggs. He began his playing career as a youngster with Torquay United and has since turned out for Bangor City, Aberystwyth Town, Kidsgrove Athletic, Salford City, Bacup Borough and Mossley.

29-year-old Rhodri is now part of the FC United of Manchester side who will play his old club Salford City in the Second Round of The FA Carlsberg Vase on Saturday.

We caught up with him in the build up to the game.

Rhodri, your FC United side triumphed 3-0 at Padiham in the First Round of the Vase. How did you feel about that result?
It was a good win for the team. We had lost 2-1 at Salford in the league so it is always pleasing to bounce back after a defeat.

Was 3-0 a fair scoreline at Padiham?
I’d say so. They didn’t really trouble us at the back. We created plenty of chances so 3-0 was a fair result.

There was an impressive attendance of 1,371 at Padiham. So the FC United fans turned out in force again?
There is always great support - home or away. That means that every game is a big occasion. All the other teams just look at the calendar and they can’t wait to play FC United. It is their cup final and so we have to treat it like a cup final as well.

FC United have been drawn away to Salford City in the Second Round of The Vase. As you have already mentioned, they beat you recently in the North West Counties League.
The result could have gone either way. But Salford did well and they got the win. We were upset to lose and we would like to put it right in the Vase.

FC United was only formed last year. So a good Vase run would be a big boost for the club?
Yes. We are top of the North West Counties League First Division and we want to win the title. But the lads also want to do well in the Vase for the fans. Those supporters can have a good day out wherever we go in the Vase.

FC United has been a great success.
It has been brilliant, yeah. I’ve only been here a few months but it has been really good. The progress that the club has made has been amazing and it can only get better.

The atmosphere at matches is quite remarkable isn’t it?
Yes. It took me a few games to get used to it. I had previously played in front of 100-150 people for Mossley. But now I am at FC United where our home crowds at Bury’s Gigg Lane ground range between 2,000 and 5,000. That is a big difference and the fans are very loud. They have a good voice!

And if you can progress in The FA Vase, the interest will build won’t it?
Yes of course. And that can only be good for the club.

Salford City v FC United of Manchester is one of 64 ties in The Vase this weekend. For a full list of fixtures click here. If you fancy going along to watch one, you can search our Club Finder to locate your chosen team.