Here's to FC going fourth

Ryan Davies

April 23, 2009

A MAN fast becoming a legend among some football fans is Karl Marginson, manager of the infamous FC United of Manchester .

The right result on Saturday would see them in the play offs battling for their fourth promotion in as many years since the breakaway team was founded in 2005.

I do not get the chance to go to as many FC games as I would like these days saddled as I am by the twin demands of a ten-month-old son and a season ticket at Manchester United.

So a visit to the little man’s grandparents in Derbyshire this week provided the perfect excuse to catch FC as they travelled to Ilkeston Town for a crucial Unibond league game.

Not only were the 900-odd FC fans who made the trip rewarded with a cracking atmosphere under the East Midlands sun, they were even treated to a last minute goal to keep FC’s promotion push alive.

This was football the way it used to be, on open terraces with fans changing places at half time and free to enjoy a few pints in the ground while watching the game.

The celebrations at the winner were a joy to behold, and there was no trouble in the FC end at the ground despite the best efforts of a small but neanderthal section of the home supporters.

A small group of United fans have previously tried to create divisions between United and the off-shoot founded by their supporter, but one fan is Eric Cantona, who recently said of FC: "They have a great idea. I hope they will become a great club and win the European Cup in 50 years time."

If they continue at the rate they are going, who knows, it may be even sooner than that.