High five for FC promotion

25/10/2007

FC UNITED manager Karl Marginson believes that his squad’s new blood will provide the right formula to take the reds to promotion, writes Tony Howard.

He has acquired five new players to strengthen the roster including former Manchester United reserve striker Aaron Burns, ex-Rochdale trainees Colin Bell and Theo Coleman, Altrincham old boy Peter Thompson and winger Jamie Baguley from last season’s North West Counties League rivals Salford City.

The reds may give many of the new faces their first run out during the home game with Ossett Albion on Saturday, October 27, on the back of an impressive 3-2 Manchester Premier Cup win agsint Conference side Droylsden on Tuesday night.

FC beat the cup holders thanks to goals from Cayne Hanley, Burns and Rory Patterson.

Marginson claims that the squad now has what it takes to secure an automatic promotion place and get out of the UniBond north.

"Those who made the trips to Clitheroe and Droylsden will have seen the quality Burns has to offer," Margy said. "He’s got that bit of class.

"He’s been joined by another centre forward in Peter Thomson, who offers us invaluable experience having played all over the place.

"And as a big and strong front man he gives us a bit of something different too.

"Colin Bell has also joined us, much to the amusement of many due to his name.

"He can play in either defence or midfield, which gives us some more options.

"Jamie Baguley wanted to join his brother Chris here at FC and I think he’s going to be a great addition.

"He showed in our games against Salford last season that he is a top player, capable of supplying a great dead ball as those who saw his free kick against us at The Willows will testify.

"Jamie can play on either wing, as can Theo Coleman, who has joined us after being released from Rochdale.

"He’s only 17 but we have already seen flashes of his potential since he joined us and he is an exciting prospect.

"We’ve had some bad luck with injuries to the likes of Stuart Rudd and Dave Chadwick.

"And we are sad to see Steve Spencer having to take a break from football due to a hip problem.

"So we had to bring in new blood and I believe we’ve now got the quality to push on and challenge in those promotion spots."

The game against Ossett at Gigg Lane kicks off at 3pm. Admission is £7.50 for adults, £5 for over-60s and £2 for under-18s.

· FC United’s annual general meeting will take place at MANCAT Openshaw Campus, Ashton Old Road, Openshaw, Manchester, between 11am and 4pm on Sunday, October 28.