Tuesday, October 12, 2010

FC United Chase New Landmark

 Source: Key 103 Manchester

 FC United will try to crash through another barrier later this month by beating Conference outfit Barrow to reach the FA Cup first round.

The club that was formed out of opposition to Malcolm Glazer's takeover of Manchester United in 2005 are currently trying to claw their way out of the Evo-Stik League after a rapid rise through the lower reaches of the non-league pyramid.

With minds focussed on trying to gain permission to build a ground of their own close to 'big' United's spiritual home at Newton Heath, their best chance of making progress in the immediate future might be through cup competitions.

And, for a club with their history, it is hard to quantify just how much publicity a place in the main draw would bring.

``It would be another milestone,'' said FC United manager Karl Marginson.

``Pretty much since our birth we have been breaking records and setting new standards in terms of promotions and crowds. Reaching the first round proper of the FA Cup would be another.

``When we lost to Northwich last season, they went on to be chosen for two live TV games and used the money to pay off debt.

``We don't have debt but the money would come in very handy to help towards a new stadium.''

Such is the way football has gone over the past few years, other recently formed clubs are trying to make their way in the competition as well.

AFC Wimbledon's exploits have been well-known for some time and given their desperation for a place in the Football League next season, they may not be too concerned about the outcome of a visit to Basingstoke Town.

For FC Halifax Town though, the club that rose out of the ashes of their namesake's bankruptcy in 2008, a home tie with Mansfield Town offers a glimpse of their Football League past, and a chance for a bigger gate than the impressive 1,835 that saw them beat Harrogate Town on Saturday.

Darlington could end up facing Lincoln Moorlands Railway on October 23, whilst the lowest ranked side left in this season's competition, Radcliffe Olympic of the East Midlands Counties League, will go to Sheffield or Frickley Athletic if they win Wednesday night's replay at Tipton Town.

Andrea Roveri