Steels hopeful of FC United clash

Source: The Star

Published Date: 19 January 2010
By Bob Westerdale
STOCKSBRIDGE – Sheffield's North Pole – is hopeful it will be able to host a lucrative non-league game on Saturday, despite the threat of snow on high ground tomorrow.
Park Steels, the Unibond Premier Division side, are hoping their money-spinning date with FC United of Manchester – and their legions of travelling fans – will go ahead.

Chairman Allen Bethel said: "We have had two big falls of snow up here, one 10 inches in depth and a second one of four inches.

"But there has been a remarkable change to the ground in the last day or two and we are really quite hopeful it will go ahead.

"Most of the pitch's grass is visible now and it has not flooded, which is encouraging. Things have been improving by the day and any snow tomorrow might be 'wet snow.'

"Obviously more away fans will travel if the game is on a Saturday than midweek."

Manager Simon Collins said: "The groundsman is working on it and we want it to be on, the lads haven't played football for nearly a month."

Steels' last game was a 3-2 defeat at Boston United on Boxing Day.

Stocksbridge will also be seeking revenge over FC – the club set up by Manchester United fans rebelling over the Glazer family dynasty takeover at Old Trafford.

FC beat Stocksbridge 4-3 in October at their ground-share home at Bury.

"We were 3-1 up and a few weak refereeing decisions cost us. It was the first experience for our players playing in the environment of a league ground with 2,000 supporters. It was an intimidating place to play, said Collins"

Collins' side are eighth in the division, while FC are third from bottom.

"United are an attacking side although they have been struggling of late. But anybody can beat anybody in this league on their day" added Collins.

FC brought around 1,000 fans to Sheffield FC for the 3-1 FA Cup victory in Dronfield in August.