FC Halifax Town’s new signing beat up his girlfriend

 Source: Halifax Courier

 Fans of FC Halifax Town were demanding answers today after one of their summer signings admitted beating up his girlfriend.

Scott McManus, 22, signed for the Shaymen from FC United of Manchester in May.

He has been given a 16-week sentence, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to assault.

McManus carried out the vicious attack after he was sent off for violent conduct while playing for FC United in an FA Cup game against Brighton in December last year.

Salford magistrates heard he punched his girlfriend in the face, threatened to kill her and covered her head with a sheet as she struggled to breath.

Now fans want to know what action the club will take, if any.

Opinion on the club’s message board is split between those who think he should be sacked and others who think he should be given a second chance.

A message board one post read: “I’m usually all for giving people a second chance but domestic abuse betrays a lot about a person’s character.”

Another added: “He has only just been found guilty but I would hope the club act pretty strong over this.

Another poster said: “What is that for our young supporters as a role model?”

Other fans thought McManus deserved to be kept on at the club.

One said: “All I care about is how the lad performs on the pitch.

“His private life is his business. If he keeps his nose clean and performs well that’s good enough for me.”

Another said: “Give the lad a chance, I say. I couldn’t think of a better manager to try and help him turn his life around than Neil Aspin.”

And another added: “Are we are all saying the guy’s football career is over at 22 for a stupid mistake?”

McManus was also given a two-year supervision order and ordered to pay his former partner £500.

He is due to make his first home appearance for Town in their pre-season friendly against Scunthorpe tomorrow.”

McManus is first summer signing

 Source: Halifax Courier

 SCOTT McManus has become the first player to join Town since promotion, arriving from last season’s Evo-Stik Premier Division rivals FC United of Manchester.

And boss Neil Aspin is expecting big things from the 21-year-old who began his career as a Manchester United youngster and was also on the books at Crewe Alexandra.

“He is a young player who we feel can get better,” said Aspin. “Scott played League football for Crewe but things did not work out for him there.

“He was with FC United last season when they did well in FA Cup games with Rochdale and Brighton, but didn’t play against us because he was suspended.

“But his return to the side coincided with them doing well in the league and he was part of their side that did really well towards the end of the season.

“He is a good footballer who is comfortable in possession.”

McManus, who can play on the left of defence or midfield, played 47 games for FC United after joining them last summer.

Liam Hogan is already under contract at the Shay for next season, but there has still been no official word on the futures of either Andrew Milne or Mark Bower for the 2011-12 campaign.

Aspin has to speak to the duo, who linked up with Hogan in the closing weeks of the campaign.

The manager has confirmed that Harry Winter will be with the Shaymen next season.

Injury destroyed the midfielder’s hopes of making an impact last season after he returned to the club from Northwich, having spent a successful spell on loan at the Shay in 2009-10.

“I signed Harry because I know he can do well for us,” said Aspin. “But he never had a chance because of his injury.

“He will definitely be at the club next season.”

Richard Metcalfe will definitely not be at the club next term after spending the final months of last season on loan at Harrogate Town who he is expected to join on a permanent basis.

FC United let fans name their own season ticket price

Published Date: 13 May 2009

Unibond League outfit FC United have come up with a novel way of ensuring they do not lose fans during the current recession - by getting them to name their own season ticket price.

The club, launched in 2005 as a protest at Malcolm Glazer's takeover of Manchester United, missed out on the play-offs to reach Conference North this season, the first time they have not been promoted.

Yet they still remain committed to the principle of a supporters' trust, the basis on which they were founded and, taking the idea of Radiohead, who got fans to name their own price to download their music off the internet, the club have come up with a novel scheme of their own, named 'Your season ticket, your choice'.

And, while some people might look upon the latest move as slightly bizarre, particularly as the cash still needs to be found for the present ground-sharing agreement with Bury, FC United officials are confident fans with extra cash will make up the shortfall.

FC United board member Jules Spencer said: "We hope the 'Your season ticket, your choice' campaign will do two things. First, it will offer a lower season ticket price for those who cannot afford last year's price.

"Secondly, it means those supporters who can afford a bit more can choose to donate as much as they wish."