Football five take a step up

22/12/2008

FIVE local lads from last season’s highly successful Manchester Youth FC have signed non league forms with Unibond Northern Premier League team FC United of Manchester.

The five had been playing in the club’s youth team after following former Manchester Youth boss Peter Freakes who is now in charge of FC United’s youth system.

They will now get the chance to play first-team football in front of regular 2,000-plus crowds at Gigg Lane, Bury.

Goalkeeper Grant Shenton and left-winger Sam Freakes have already made their first-team debuts, in a cup tie at Woodley.

Striker Jamie Mack and midfielder John Buckley came off the bench to play in the same game.

Central midfielder Mark Reeves was on the bench.

FC United manager Karl Margison felt the lads had shown enough promise in the youth team to warrant a chance of playing higher up the ladder.