Macc for Kyle

Tony Howard

May 28, 2009

FC UNITED’S top striker Kyle Wilson has left the club to turn professional at Macclesfield Town.

For the second season in succession the reds have lost the services of their main hit man, following Rory Patterson’s move to Bradford Park Avenue last year.

Wilson was the UniBond Premier League’s third top scorer with 21 goals, despite missing the last quarter of the season with a knee injury.

His absence hampered United as they missed out on a play-off place in the very last minute of the season as results went against them.

But, despite his disappointment, manager Karl Marginson believes he still has the squad in place to mount a challenge for the title next season.

Marginson, himself a former player with the Silkmen, said: "Kyle was exceptional for us last season and, despite missing a big chunk through injury, he was still up at the top of the scorers charts at the end.

"He is a good player who can easily succeed at a higher level and we are happy to have played a part in him getting a chance to prove it.

"He drifted out of the game before we managed to coax him back and I think being at FC helped relight his love for football.

"He certainly excelled on the pitch and had he been available all season, then we may have made the play-offs.

"We have said from the very start of the club that we will do our best to help players live out their ambitions and if that means playing at a higher level then so be it.

"I won’t stand in the way of a lad who wants to achieve his dream of becoming a professional footballer and we always wish our players good luck when they leave. So Kyle goes with our best wishes and our thanks for the service and goals he gave us."

As for next season, Margy said: "Myself and our staff have spoken to all the players from last season’s squad and they have all indicated their wishes to stay at FC United.

"It’s great news for us because I honestly feel that if the current squad had been together from the very start of the season then we would have been challenging for the title, nevermind the play-offs.

"It’s the best set of lads that we have had at the club and in Phil Marsh we have a high quality striker who will hopefully fill the gap left by Kyle.

"Phil was released by Manchester United, so his quality is evident. Now he has settled at the club we are expecting big things of him next season."

FC travelled to Sweden to face Djurgarden IF in Stockholm’s Olympic stadium on Friday night, beating an all star team 3-1 thanks to goals from Nicky Platt (2) and Jamie Baguley.

Margy, who turned out as a second half substitute, said: "It was a fantastic opportunity for the players and fans to have an adventure into Scandanavia and everyone enjoyed it. I was mint."

Meanwhile, FC are still offering supporters the chance to ‘pay what you can’ for next year’s season tickets at Gigg Lane.

As long as fans pledge £90 or more to the club, they can pay any amount that they can afford.

So far over £43,000 has been pledged. For details visit website: www.fc-utd.co.uk. Or call the FC United office on: 0161 273 8950.