BUXTON GET READY FOR THE RED REBELS

22 August 2008

By Louise Bellicoso

Buxton FC v FC United
Saturday August 23The Silverlands, BuxtonKick-off 3pm

THE APPROACHING Bank Holiday weekend sees the Bucks in action twice with the first match on the agenda the long awaited all ticket tie against FC United of Manchester.

Saturday's game will see segregation being introduced for the first time at the Silverlands with both sides being allocated around 1,500 tickets.

The Manchester United breakaway club attract a large following both at home and away so a bumper crowd is expected at the Silverlands for the game, which kicks-off at 3pm.

"It is a game I'm looking forward to because as a manager, obviously it's only my second season here, but I've not seen a Buxton game when the ground has been nearly full to the rafters," Buxton manager John Reed explained.

"I first came across FC United in their first ever season when I was at Stalybridge and we had a testimonial match.

"On that day they must have brought 700 fans. It was absolutely fantastic. The fans sang their hearts out all the game even though we won the cup. They never stopped chanting.

"It is a great advert for UniBond football.

"I think you've got to take your hat off to every one of their supporters, they are an absolute credit to the club.

"To think of over 2,000 people being at the Silverlands is great.

"They have great support and really get behind their lads and we will be hard pushed to make more noise than them.

"They get more than some second division clubs. It will be a great day for everybody."

Bank Holiday Monday will see Buxton facing another Greater Manchester side as they travel to Ashton United, kick-off 3pm.

"It will be a very tough game," said Reed.

"They have brought a lot of a new players in. I think they might be a surprise team this year. It wouldn't surprise me if they were in the top ten.

"You just can't look at the table and think that team should be okay or that team should be okay. They are all very, very tough games. It is a good league.

"It is the best UniBond Premier I have seen. I thought it was a tough year when I won at Harrogate but if you look at it this year, you've got teams like Boston, Bradford Park Avenue, FC United, Nantwich and Cammell Laird."

On the injury front, both James Turley and Dave Henry look to be out for the next two weeks after picking up knocks in pre-season, while Tommy Agus will be missing for three to four weeks after suffering a deep leg wound at Clitheroe.

But its better news for skipper Terry Bowker, who may be back for the game against FC United on Saturday, depending on how he gets on in training this week.

On the plus side, Pat McGuire, who featured against Clitheroe and Sheffield Wednesday in pre-season, has signed a contract with the Bucks.

McGuire started his career at Bradford City and had spent the last year at Farsley Celtic. He had spent pre-season with Stalybridge who then offered him to Buxton.

Reed said: "I was very impressed with him and have big hopes for him. I think he will start for us. Obviously we have got to keep the pressure on the players.

"Look at the young lads we've got now, there's Tom Griffiths, Mark Lees and Pat McGuire and all three are under 20.

"It is terrific to have young players coming through and I will be pleased to nurture them. I know we're a long way off but look at when Fergie (Alex Ferguson) had all his young boys and it all came together so why not for us?

"Wakka is only 22, Towey is 25, Gregg Anderson is 25. It's only Maxfield and Brodie that are over 30. If we keep this team together, who knows what could happen in a couple of years time."

Defender Scott Brough who spent pre-season training with Buxton, has joined Frickley Athletic and made his debut last Saturday when they drew 1-1 at Witton Albion.