Marine FC players can’t wait for FC United of Manchester

Source: Crosby Herald

Jul 15 2010 by Philip Kirkbride, Crosby Herald

MARINE manager Kevin Lynch says his players can’t wait for the opening day of the season.

The Evo-Stik Premier Division fixtures have thrown up a mouth-watering clash on the first weekend of the new campaign as the Mariners welcome FC United of Manchester.

Lynch revealed several of the Whites’ squad were phoning him straight after the announcement yesterday, already desperate for Saturday, August 21 to be here.

Arriva Stadium boss Lynch is now hoping to channel that excitement from his players into their first pre-season match against Tranmere Rovers next Tuesday and has challenged the squad to force their way into the starting 11 for the visit of FC United.

“It is a nice, juicy opening game of the season isn’t it?” said Lynch.

“We are all really looking forward to it and I’ve already had players texting and phoning about the first game.

“All the lads can’t wait to get going and the early fixtures we have been handed are pretty pleasing. Places that are perhaps not the nicest to go to in mid-winter and can be bleak, we get out of the way early on. But for now the lads have seven games in this pre-season period to convince me their name should be in the starting 11 for the FC United match.”

Lynch also agrees the visit of the Manchester rebel side in just over five weeks time could provide Marine with the perfect start to a season which promises much.

When FC visited Crosby in April last season, 1,093 fans watched an enthralling 1-1 draw but Lynch is hoping to attract a bigger crowd and gain a better result.

“Certainly, this could potentially be the best possible way to start the new season. There is certainly great interest in the players we’ve signed and the hopes we have for next season. Getting a bigger crowd than we did last time would be a major plus and hopefully we can play some decent football and get a positive result.”

Lynch says he will be in dialogue with Tranmere Rovers this week ahead of the pre-season friendly with the Prenton Park outfit.

The manager wants to give game time to all 22 members of his squad but if Les Parry’s League One side want to restrict the game to just five substitutes then Lynch will respect the decision.

“I would like to play all the lads at some point on Tuesday night; in reality have two teams. But I don’t want to disrespect Tranmere and if they just want to limit it to five subs then that will be fine. I’ll speak to them in the next few days.”