City hoping for record gate against FC United

Source: Newcastle Evening Chronicle

Jan 29 2010 Evening Chronicle

DURHAM City hope to record their biggest gate of the season when they host fans’ club FC United of Manchester at the Esh Stadium tomorrow.

FC United are the best supported side in the UniBond Premier Division, averaging crowds of almost 2,000 at their Gigg Lane base.

However, the current campaign sees the club, which was formed in 2005 by disillusioned Manchester United fans, languishing in the bottom six.

Travelling support has dwindled but should still be enough for Durham City to beat their previous best home crowd this season, 209 against Retford United in August.

FC United were held to a goalless draw at home to fellow strugglers Frickley Athletic in midweek and are looking for their first win in seven games.

Meanwhile, Durham City manager Lee Collings is expecting a reaction from his side after the 10-0 hammering at Boston United last Saturday.

Collings said: “FC United gives us the chance to regain some credibility, and it is a pity we hadn’t played them earlier in the season as they would have brought several hundred fans.

“Like us, they are struggling, but they have signed a couple of players on loan from Football League clubs this week and will expect to get back on track at our expense.

“I was very disappointed with our display at Boston. Some of the young lads froze in front of a big crowd, but they are determined to put on a show tomorrow.

“I will have the rare luxury of selecting from a full squad and strikers Josh Home-Jackson and Elliot Cutts will both return.”

Home-Jackson has shrugged off a back injury, while Cutts has served a one-match ban to face an FC United of Manchester side that had debutant Adriano Rigoglioso sent off against Frickley on Tuesday.