FC United gathers support for stadium bid

 Source: enforbusiness.com

 FC United of Manchester (FCUM) has recruited transport consultant Singleton Clamp & Partners (SCP) to support the planning application for its proposed 5,000-seater stadium in Moston.

The membership-owned club, formed by Manchester United supporters disillusioned with the 2005 takeover by the Glazer family, has drawn up plans for a £3.5 million development that would include a community clubhouse with function room, catering facilities, changing rooms and a classroom alongside the main ground.

The proposed scheme, which is being development with local youth side Moston Juniors, would also include a new artificial pitch and would retain two existing grass pitches.

SCP has been brought in to assist with planning access and internal layout, particularly in relation to supporter travel and demand for secure off-site parking.

Company director Jim Budd said, "There is real enthusiasm for this project from local schools and businesses, and while some residents are nervous about the parking issue, most people understand what FCUM can offer to the community and want to be involved."

While some residents have already welcomed the plans, others have argued that the stadium would hit house prices. There has also been consternation about the choice of a greenfield site and worries that local people will have to pay to park outside their own homes on match days.

FC United general manager, Andy Walsh, said, "We aim to submit for planning in July and we have already begun to hold public consultation events for the residents of Moston to voice their views. We need to focus our efforts on ensuring that their needs are met and that any concerns they might have are properly addressed."

City News in 250 Words

 Edited from Manchester Confidential

 FC UNITED’s plans to build a stadium in Moston have a mixed reaction. Residents living near the planned 5,000 seater stadium near St Mary’s Road said it would provide extra sport facilities and take youngsters off the streets. Others objected as they feared their house prices would fall as a consequence of the building. The proposal has yet to receive planning permission. Confidential thinks it should go ahead and wonders why on earth residents think house prices will fall – surely they’ll rise as the amenity of the area is raised?

Moston neighbours who back FC United stadium plan say it will be 'fantastic' for area

 Source: MEN

 Neighbours who are backing FC United’s proposed move to Moston say it would be ‘fantastic’ for their community.

The breakaway club, formed in 2005, have set their sights on building a 5,000-capacity home on the site of the Ronald Johnson playing fields close to St Mary’s Road.

Club bosses say the plans are for ‘more than a stadium’ and believe the facility will benefit people living nearby.

Some residents have launched a protest at the plans. But others say that they will welcome the club with open arms.

They believe that if the £3.5m project goes ahead it will take youngsters off the streets and provide much-needed sports facilities.

Jack Williamson, 20, of Horncastle Road, said: "There is absolutely nothing here for kids to do. If the stadium comes it should be welcomed because it would bring something to the area that we have not got."

Kathy Crotty, 50, of St Mary’s Road, said: "I think it will be great for us. As a ward I think we have some of the worst health statistics in the country. I think this can only help."

Lisa Roddy, 44, of Bluestone Road, said: "FC United do a lot of work with kids and it’s something Moston desperately needs." Rob Ayre, 40, from New Moston, said: "A £3.5m investment in Moston’s future is very welcome. It will give Moston it’s heart back."

Opponents of the plans criticise the choice of a greenfield site which was gifted to the public under a covenant which barred development.

Others fear house prices will fall and claimed they would be forced to pay to park outside their own homes on match days

But Andy Walsh, FC United’s general manager, said a report carried out by the Cass economic group said that house prices actually rose when stadiums were built in residential areas. He added that there were no plans for a parking scheme in the proposals.

The M.E.N. can reveal that the application, which includes facilities for current leaseholders Moston Juniors, will be lodged in July. FC have raised £1.7m towards the project.

Exclusive by Mike Keegan

June 24, 2011

We are FC United, Roman conquerors

 Source: The Natter (Blog)

 Simon Buckley

 I was with the float belonging to FC United, the football team formed in protest at the Glazer family’s takeover of Manchester United, at the Manchester Parade. As everyone gathered, I somehow found myself at the front, holding one end of a banner that proclaimed, “Making friends, not millionaires”.

As we set off, and turned the corner onto Deansgate for the first time, it was hugely intimidating to suddenly be in the middle of the road, being watched by thousands of people. I felt myself trying to register everyone’s smiling faces, staring back at them intently, as if desperate to recruit more extras for the crowd scenes in my dreams.

They were cheering and waving at a procession that was so brilliantly home-made it could have been sponsored by Blue Peter. Strange beasts, made from plastic bottles, vibrant material and bamboo, bounced and flapped past the gleaming offices of Spinningfields. Papier mache giants looked the gargoyles of Victorian Manchester right in the eye and scout bands and gymnasts inspired loud applause from the 75,000 sun-washed folk that had filled the city centre.

I suspect those of us that were part of this event will remember it always.

Alongside me was Paul, a postman from Moston. He had the broad shoulders of a man that has carried other people’s messages for over 15 years. Behind us, other FC fans supported a vivid yellow galleon and sang songs, like Vikings on the way down to the shore, and beyond them another 60 waved banners and flags like an imperial army, astutely marshalled by Vinny, Mancunian born and bred.

Here we were, living in a city that invented the computer, being feted by crowds who’d come to see their fellow citizens present a show consisting of technology that, apart from the odd bike and lorry, was no more sophisticated than that of ancient Britons.

A couple of days later, rather than basking in warmth and sunshine, I was sheltering from angry rain outside M&S, where the walkway to the Arndale is being repaired. I noticed a painting by LS Lowry on the boards erected to hide the scaffolding. It was a fairground scene featuring so many figures it looked like an early example of CGI trickery. Whilst the bouncing drops of water trapped me undercover, it occurred to me that I could still find the same scene at parks across Manchester. Thousands of people still go to fairgrounds to spend their hard won pennies hooking ducks and eating candy floss.

And so here we are in the 21st century with all of our sophisticated digital wizardry. We have computers, smart phones and flat screen televisions. We can watch what we want anytime of the day, and our friends and family are never more than a Tweet away.

And yet Vinny, Paul and I, along with more people than turn up at Old Trafford every week, happily gave up our Sunday afternoon to be part of something that our ancestors from a thousand years ago would have understood. So, should the internet ever go down and we run out of silicon chips, I’m reassured to know that we’ll still be content to get by with some sticky backed plastic and a few brightly coloured buttons.

FC United's Moston stadium plans go on display

 Source: BBC

 Plans for a new 5,000-seater stadium to house Manchester United's breakaway club FC United are going on display.

The club, which currently plays at Gigg Lane, wants to build the stadium in Moston near Newton Heath - Man United's first home.

Three thousand people have signed a petition opposing the ground and Manchester City Council is due to make a decision next month.

The plans can be seen at Moston Methodist Church on Tuesday evening.

The session will run from 1800 to 2000 BST.

Consultation sessions will also be held at the same time at Moston Labour Club, on Wednesday, North City Library on 29 June and at Miners Community and Arts Centre on 30th June.

Representatives from FC United will be at the sessions, together with Moston Juniors Football Club, to explain the plans and answer questions.

Manchester City Council will also be there to answer questions and explain the council's processes.

FC United has launched a community shares scheme, aiming to raise £1.5m.

Individuals aged over 16 and businesses are able to buy shares from £200 to £20,000.

FC United stadium in Moston 'will hit the value of our homes', claim residents

 Source: MEN (Mike Keegan and Pamela Welsh)

 Residents opposed to FC United’s planned new stadium fear their house prices will plummet if the scheme gets the green light.

Homeowners on St Mary’s Road in Moston, opposite the site for the breakaway club’s proposed 5,000-capacity ground, claim the value of their properties will drop by 10 to 15 per cent if the Rebels come to town.

But FC officials say those claims are not true – and claim property prices will in fact RISE if the project goes ahead.

Jean McCarthy, who lives close to the site, said residents had contacted estate agents to find out how the move would impact on house prices.

She said: “We spoke to three or four and they said they would go down by 10 to 15 per cent.

“It’s not just that. We don’t want them here. This will impact on so many lives and so many people will be disturbed.”

But Andy Walsh, general manager of FC, moved to allay fears and pointed to a recent study which found that house prices increase when a new stadium is built near a residential area.

He said: “A report done by the Cass Business School found that house prices close to new football stadiums have actually gone up.”

Annette McGovern, chairman of the Residents United Residents Association, led a protest against the plans. She claimed the move would see homeowners charged to park outside their houses on match days. She said: “We feel that there is a real issue with parking – we could be charged up to £120 per car, per year, just to park in front of our homes.”

But Mr Walsh said the plans did not include a parking permit system and a spokesman from Manchester council said their schemes were free of charge.

He said that FC had approached the residents group to invite them to discussions.

Proposals for a community stadium on the site, currently leased by Moston Juniors, were announced after similar plans for a stadium on Ten Acres Lane collapsed due to the council switching funding.

FC currently play in the seventh tier of English football and attract average crowds of 2,000 to Bury’s Gigg Lane, their current home.

They were formed as a co-operative in 2005 in protest at the Glazer family’s ownership of Manchester United and want a
permanent home in the city.

Club officials have organised a number of drop in sessions where plans can be viewed.

» Details can be found at: http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/ story.php?story_id=3622

Die (neue) Erfolgsgeschichte des SV Austria Salzburg

 Source: taurus.net

 Automatic translation: http://s.coop/1y2p

 „Tod und Wiederauferstehung“, genauer gesagt „Todesstoß mit anschließender Auferstehung“. So bringen die Fans des 2005 ins Leben gerufenen Sportvereins Austria Salzburg die Sache auf den Punkt. Alles nahm sein Ende bzw. seinen Anfang, als am 6. April 2005 die Salzburg Sport AG vom Limonadegiganten Red Bull übernommen wurde. Groß zu Beginn die Euphorie – nach eigenen Angaben auch unter den treuesten Fans. Rapid und Austria Wien könnte endlich Paroli geboten werden. Auf in die Champions League, und das am besten als österreichischer Serienmeister. Bereits Mitte Juni 2005 kommt es allerdings für die Anhänger knüppeldick. Die Katze – oder besser gesagt, der Bulle - wurde aus dem Sack gelassen.

Bruch der Vereinstraditionen. Neue Farben, neuer Namen. Fertig ist das neue Fußballprodukt. Der FC Red Bull Salzburg. Von Violett keine Spur mehr. Zu Hause in rot-weiß, auswärts in blau. In der Zeit zuvor mussten die Salzburger Fußballfans seit 1973 bereits Kompromisse eingehen. SV Gerngroß A. Salzburg, SV Sparkasse Austria Salzburg, SV Casino Salzburg, SV Wüstenrot Salzburg. Allerdings blieben die Vereinsfarben, und auch mit den Vereinslogos konnten die Fans recht gut leben. Nicht leben konnte der harte Kern der Anhängerschaft mit dem kompletten Bruch der Tradition im Sommer 2005.

Back to the roots. Und zwar richtig! Nach Abbruch der Gespräche zwischen Verein und Faninitiativen wurde am 7. Oktober 2005 der „Sportverein Austria Salzburg“ in das Vereinsregister eingetragen. Die Wiederauferstehung des Traditionsvereins sollte schnellstmöglich erfolgen. Der Clou: Als Logo wurde jenes genommen, das von 1950 bis 1978 Bestand hatte. Als Vorbilder dienten die englischen Vereine AFC Wimbledon und FC United of Manchester, die 2002 bzw. Sommer 2005 von enttäuschten Fans gegründet wurden.
Nach ein paar Monaten in der Landesliga, die gemeinsam mit dem PSV Schwarz-Weiß Salzburg ausgespielt wurde, startete die Austria in der Saison 2006/06 einen kompletten Neubeginn in der untersten Spielklasse, der Salzburger 2. Klasse Nord A. Als Austragungsort der Heimspiele diente die Anlage des UFC Salzburg-Danubia. 800 Zuschauer sahen das erste Saisonspiel gegen USV Leopoldskron/Moos. Mit 5:0 ging es sogleich gut zur Sache. Und so blieb es auch. 24 von 26 Partien wurden gewonnen. Das letzte Saisonspiel gegen den SV Nussdorf wollten stolze 2.500 Fans sehen! Nach dem Aufstieg spielte der Verein nun auf der Sportanlage West im Salzburger Stadtteil Maxglan. Es folgten weitere drei Aufstiege in Folge. Ein neuer Rekord im Bundesland Salzburg! Über 1.000 Zuschauer kamen in der Regel immer, mal waren es sogar weit über 2.000 wie beim 4:1-Sieg gegen den USV Elixhausen oder dem 3:0-Sieg gegen den SV Grünau.

Inzwischen ist der Sportverein Austria Salzburg in der Regionalliga West (dritthöchste Spielklasse Österreichs) angesiedelt. Gespielt wird im My Phone Austria Stadion, das inzwischen rund 2.000 Zuschauern einen Platz bietet. Eine schmucke Haupttribüne bietet Raum für 400 Sitzplätze, den Fansektor und einem großen Gastronomiebereich.
„In Salzburg eh die besten, nun zeigen wir´s dem Westen!“ Mit diesem Slogan ging es in die Saison 2010/11. Von 30 Saisonspielen konnten 15 gewonnen werden, nur sechsmal ging die Austria als Verlierer vom Rasen. Abgeschlossen wurde die Spielzeit mit einem guten fünften Rang. Meister der Regionalliga West wurde der FC RB Salzburg Amateure. Apropos Red Bull Juniors. Die Duelle gegen die „kleinen Bullen“ waren das Saisonhighlight schlechthin! Am 7. August 2010 gab es einen „Sieg für die Ewigkeit“. Mit 2:1 wurde die zweite Mannschaft von RB Salzburg geschlagen. Vor 1.800 Zuschauern (ausverkauft) erzielte Vujic die beiden Treffer in der 12. und 20. Minute. Bereits in der zweiten Spielminute brachte Hinteregger die Gäste in Front. Am 13. November 2010 folgte das Rückspiel im Stadion Wals-Siezenheim (Red Bull Arena) vor knapp 6.000 begeisterten Fans. Zweimal ging Red Bull in Führung, zweimal konnte die Austria ausgleichen. Die Fans und Ultras des SV Austria präsentierten ein Spruchband mit der Aufschrift „Never changed passion for glory“. Welch ein Jubel bei Spielern und Anhängern, als Lukas Wührer das Tor zum verdienten 2:2 schoss!

Sportlich ein Höhepunkt war zudem das 2:0 gegen TSV Neumarkt in der Vorrunde des ÖFB-Cups. 1.050 sahen den historischen Sieg, der den Einzug in die Hauptrunde bedeutete. Ebenfalls 1.050 Fans sahen schließlich die 0:3-Niederlage gegen den SC Austria Lustenau. Bereits vor der Pause hatten die Gäste mit drei Toren alles klar gemacht. 2.000 Zuschauer waren es schließlich, die das letzte Heimspiel der Saison am 4. Juni dieses Jahres besuchten. Mit 1:0 wurde Union Innsbruck geschlagen, Torschütze des Tages war Sonko, der in der 18. Minute eingelocht hatte. Zwei Dinge ließen die Herzen der Austria-Fans höher schlagen: Marko Vujic holte sich mit insgesamt 22 Treffern die Torschützenkrone, und der SV Austria Salzburg ist der beste Aufsteiger in die Westliga seit über 20 Jahren...

Mittwoch, den 15. Juni 2011 um 15:02 Uhr
Marco Bertram
Bereich: Magazin - Sport

FC United hope to score with charm offensive for new ground in Moston

 Source: MEN

 Exclusive by Mike Keegan

 FC United have delivered 10,000 leaflets in their bid to win the hearts and minds of people living close to the site of their planned new stadium.

More than 40 volunteers from the club, who want to build a 5,000-capacity home on the Ronald Johnson playing fields in Moston, dropped the pamphlets off in the space of seven hours.

They targeted residents in the Moston, Charlestown and Harpurhey areas and are hoping the information contained on the four-page booklets will help to win objectors over.

A planning application for the £3.5m stadium, a mix of terraces and seating, will be lodged later this summer. Within the leaflet details of community facilities at the project, a partnership with Manchester council and current leaseholders Moston Juniors, are announced.

They include bingo nights, dinner dances and lunches for older people, education and employment services at the proposed venue.

Classrooms and IT facilities are also included in what FC bosses say will be ‘more than a football ground’.

General manager Andy Walsh said the drop was part of the club’s commitment to engage the local community.

He said: “As part of our pre-planning consultation we want to give residents as much information as possible about the proposals.

“We have had a very positive response from local people and we are continuing to discuss any remaining matters of concern that residents have.”

Manchester council identified the site, off St Mary’s Road, after plans for a new home for FC on Ten Acres Lane in Newton Heath collapsed.

The Rebels, formed as a co-operative in 2005 in protest at the Glazer family’s ownership of Manchester United, are currently in English football’s seventh tier. They play home matches at Bury’s Gigg Lane ground but want a permanent base in the city. Crowds average just above the 2,000 mark.

The club have also arranged a number of drop in sessions which take place from 6pm until 8pm. The first is at Moston Methodist Church on 21 June, followed by Moston Labour Club on 22 June, North City Library on June 29 and the Miners Community & Arts Centre on June 30.

Supporters Direct funding cut flags Premier League's contempt for fans

 Source: The Guardian

 Disillusioned supporters who threaten the business model of the Premier League receive short shrift from Richard Scudamore

 By Marina Hyde

At the tabloid newspaper in Martin Amis's novel Yellow Dog, readers are referred to at all times as "wankers". "At the Morning Lark," staff are reminded, "our target wanker's the unemployed." Features include "Wankers' Wives" and "Our Wankers Ask the Questions". A circulation fall indicates the paper has "lost wankers".

It's this sort of respect for one's clientele that always comes to mind when considering the Premier League's Richard Scudamore. Last week, his august body cut its entire funding of the fan-ownership organisation Supporters Direct, in response to some swearily abusive tweets posted by SD's chief executive. No matter that Dave Boyle has withdrawn them, apologised, and resigned. The judgment stands – a reprisal so disproportionately brutal that it seems to be from the playbook of a petulant dictator, as opposed to football's self-styled stewards of "the customer experience".

That Supporters Direct should be dependent on Premier League funding is one of those disingenuous quirks of modern life – the same type of corporate fig leaf that sees McDonald's bound over to use an infinitesimal fraction of its wealth to fund the odd public health initiative, or include a half-arsed, virtually unpromoted salad on its menu. We'd do better to consider the wider context. And parsing Scudamore's utterances, it is remarkable how often he appears to be looking askance at the supporter, most particularly those who have had the temerity to organise themselves in ways that buck his organisation's preferred business model.

Pressed on runaway Premier League ticket prices a couple of years ago, he claimed "[Bolton] are charging for adults and children for matches less than it is costing to go to FC United in the non-league". Intriguing, isn't it, that of all the examples of non-league teams Scudamore could pick, he went for FC United? And without getting into the nitty gritty of one or two promotions the Reebok Stadium had offered, his claim tended toward arrant cobblers. As a Supporters Direct spokesman put it at the time, it was the equivalent of "saying that because England in summer can be warmer than parts of Spain in winter, England has a hotter climate".

By striking coincidence, though, Scudamore's little dig was delivered about 10 minutes after FC United had announced the trial of a radical scheme allowing fans to set their own price for season tickets. "The Premier League clubs have put up prices regardless of the ability of people to pay," the club explained. "Those that can afford to pay continue to pay and those that can't fall off the end. Ultimately that will undermine the game of football, which has always been about inclusivity, not exclusivity." The scheme has been judged a success, and FC members have voted to implement it for a second season running. Doubtless the Premier League has sent a congratulatory basket of muffins.

Or perhaps you prefer the manner in which Scudamore chose to denounce Michel Platini's complaints about the "rampant commercialism" in the Premier League as "not much above the view of people in the corner of the pub". You don't have to be any fan of Platini to regard the choice of insult as telling. Who does Scudamore imagine consumes his precious "product", if not people in the pub?

Time and again it is the open contempt for the consumer that shines through, with the call for the smelling salts after Boyle's tweets preposterous in the extreme. When Wayne Rooney bellows "fuck" down the lens of a camera beaming the Premier League round the globe, the cynic in me suggests Scudamore is more than relaxed, most likely judging the incident burnishes the League's fabled rough-and-tumble image – one of its most heavily-promoted USPs.

So radical commercial ideas like Game 39 are encouraged, while radical ideas for governance are not. Have we really never had it so good? Yet again it feels relevant to observe that more football, in the manner in which the Premier League delivers it, has not made people more passionate supporters of the game. People talk in more bitter and disillusioned ways about football than they did before, and are profoundly aware of their meaninglessness to the vast corporate entities using their football fans' financial support for often wholly unrelated purposes.

Placed in context, then, the kneecapping of Supporters Direct feels like another way to shut down any alternative voices in the discourse. So next time Scudamore delivers some impenetrable management-speak homily on his "customers", you are cordially invited to substitute the word with "wankers". It should save an awful lot of time.

FC United consults over Moston stadium

 Source: Place North West

 FC United of Manchester is to hold consultation sessions later in June presenting its plans to develop a community facility and sports stadium in Moston.

The sessions have been organised by FC United and club representatives will be there, together with Moston Juniors Football Club, to explain the plans and answer questions. Representatives from Manchester City Council will also be there to answer questions and explain the council's processes.

FC United general manager Andy Walsh said: "These sessions are part of our ongoing consultation with the Moston community about our plans, aimed at giving as many people as possible the opportunity to put their views directly to us and Moston Juniors Football Club.

"We want as many people as possible to come along and tell us what they would like included in our plans for what would be a community facility. Equally this is not a done deal so we want to hear any concerns so we can take these into consideration as we develop our proposals.

"We will be working closely with the council to keep the community informed as our consultation progresses."

FC United's proposals for the development include a 5,000 capacity stadium, community changing facilities and classroom, a function space open for public bookings, two additional community pitches and landscaped public areas. The development represents around £3.5m of investment in Moston.

Earlier plans for a new stadium in Ten Acres Lane in Newton Heath, owned by Manchester City Council, were abandoned when the council withdrew funding.

The Moston sessions will be held as follows:

Moston Methodist Church, Moston Lane, Tuesday 21 June, 6pm - 8pm

Moston Labour Club, Moston Lane, Wednesday 22 June, 6pm - 8pm

North City Library, Rochdale Road, Wednesday 29 June, 6pm - 8pm

Miners Community & Arts Centre, Teddington Road, Thursday 30 June, 6pm - 8pm

FC United – dates for your diary

 

 Source: MEN

 By Pamela Welsh

 Earlier this week, myself and sports news correspondent Mike Keegan met Andy Walsh, general manager of FC United of Manchester.

The club announced plans to move to Moston in March, after a much-lauded plan to erect a 5,000 seater stadium in Newton Heath fell through. FC United currently play at Gigg Lane in Bury but are looking for a home to call their own. Of course, much of this background has already been documented elsewhere, and if you’re interested, the Manchester Evening News website has full details.

The meeting with Andy was to unveil preliminary plans for the new stadium site on the Ronald Johnson playing fields on St Mary’s Road in Moston. It’s a location which

The story on the plans is here – check it out for the full details. Andy’s a good guy and one of the things he stressed was how important the views of the residents in the Moston area are to the club. Club officials have announced a series of drop ins – to convince residents the plans are sound and to get feedback from them. Andy insists the blueprints aren’t a ‘done deal’ and I really think that’s true. Whatever you think about the plans – agree or disagree – I don’t think you can argue with FC United’s genuine interest in the local community.

The drop-in sessions will be at Moston Methodist Church on June 21, 6pm-8pm; Moston Labour Club on June 22, 6-8pm; North City Library on June 29 from 6pm-8pm and at the Miners Community Centre on June 30 from 6pm-8pm.

For more information, contact office@fc-utd.co.uk

Revealed: FC United’s plans for new stadium in Moston

 Source: MEN

 Exclusive by Mike Keegan

This is how the new home for FC United will look – if the club’s plans get the green light.

The exclusive first look at the artist’s impression reveals the breakaway outfit’s proposals for a 5,000-capacity home on Moston’s Ronald Johnson playing fields .

FC bosses believe the designs illustrate the ‘minimal impact’ the planned move will have on residents.

They say stands at the compact stadium will be no higher than a large semi-detached house and point to a host of community facilities included in the project which they believe will open what is currently a fenced-off area to those who live nearby.

The £3.5m plans include two youth pitches for Moston Juniors, who currently lease the playing fields from Manchester council, with the opportunity to play major matches in the stadium.

There will also be a full-sized artificial pitch, an open-to-the public medical room managed by club physios and balconies where parents can watch their kids play.

As part of their bid to create an environmentally-friendly distinctive facility, railway sleepers will be used on the exterior of the stadium. An IT learning room is also planned and the club’s car park may be opened to nearby St Mary’s Primary to alleviate school-run issues.

Trees will be planted around the project and the positioning of a car park means the ground itself will be at least 50 metres away from nearby houses.

The Rebels, formed as a co-operative in protest at the Glazer family’s ownership of Manchester United, will make a planning application in the next two months.

Club officials will also contact the Charity Commission in a bid to satisfy a covenant on part of the land in between St Mary’s Road and Lightbowne Road.

General manager Andy Walsh said: "This development isn’t just about football, it’s about creating a community facility with open access to the people of Moston and north Manchester. It’s about proposals that create the opportunity to enhance the existing provision in the local area.

"We are working in partnership with Moston Juniors and Manchester council and we’ve been in discussions with them for around 10-12 weeks.

"FC United are trying to minimise the impact on the local area and we want to reassure residents that their concerns will be listened to."

The club, who play in the seventh tier of English football, are currently voluntarily speaking to residents, some of whom have objected to their plans. Once the application goes in a period of formal consultation will take place before a verdict is reached.

The drawings are consultation drafts and may be amended before that application is made.

But Joanne Hilton, who lives on St Mary’s Road and has led protests against the scheme, remains unmoved.

She said: "They have spent a lot of time and money on the drawings and the plans would be great – for a brownfield site.

"But this is green land and we don’t want it. We surveyed people at one of the drop-ins and out of 221 people asked 170 were against it. This is not about football, it is about keeping that field for the people of Moston."

If the development goes ahead, FC United, who currently play at Bury’s Gigg Lane ground and attract average gates of around 2,000, will kick off at their new home in time for the 2012-2013 season.

Planning permission will be sought for all stands to be under cover but two may remain roofless if plans go over budget.

The site was identified as an alternative to Ten Acres Lane, Newton Heath, after Manchester council reallocated funding.

FC United are also looking to bring in additional funding to improve the pitches on nearby Broadhurst fields.

Chances to have your say ...

FC UNITED bosses are holding four drop-in sessions to get feedback from local people who will be affected by the plans.

Residents have launched a major attack on the proposals – claiming the stadium will bring anti-social behaviour and parking problems to their neighbourhood.

But general manager Andy Walsh said: "We recognise that the residents are anxious about the disruption that the proposals might bring. We want to reassure people that this is a small football ground with a maximum capacity of 5,000.

"In five years at Gigg Lane, we have only had a handful of incidents of anti-social behaviour. We recognise parking is an issue but we are working with residents to address that."

The drop-in sessions will be at Moston Methodist Church on June 21, 6pm-8pm; Moston Labour Club on June 22, 6-8pm; North City Library on June 29 from 6pm-8pm and at the Miners Community Centre on June 30 from 6pm-8pm.

Mr Walsh said: "This is not a done deal so we want to hear any concerns so we can take these into consideration as we develop our proposals."

For more information, contact office@fc-utd.co.uk