COLOUR, NO PROBLEM

Source: The Voice of Sport

BY SORIEBAH KAJUE

The lesser known Giggs is a United Star. But having spent time in prison Rhodri explains why he is no Ryan

People of mixed race sometimes struggle to come to terms with who and what they are, but Rhodri Giggs, 29, seems to have no such worries.

Born to a mixed race father and a white mother, the younger sibling of the Manchester United legend Ryan, is enjoying something of a renaissance in his life and career.

While Ryan has garnered volumes of column inches during his glittering tenure at Manchester United, not many people have been aware of his dual heritage, and he admits in his autobiography that there were times in his life when his colour was an issue for him.

Rhodri, too, may have experienced these same perils, but as he forthrightly tells The Voice of Sport, he always knew who he was.

“I’ve always felt black and never felt white, it was weird at school to be called black, but now people think I’m white,” he says. “It doesn’t really bother me anymore, I know I’m black or mixed race. I’m comfortably with who I am.”

The name Giggs has been synonymous with Manchester United for the last 15 years as Ryan produced an unparalleled level of excellence in their iconic shirt.

However, away from the glare of the media spotlight another Giggs has assiduously carved out a football career for himself too, albeit in the non-league.

At present, he is part of the red revolution sweeping across the Northwest Counties Division One at FC United, a club formed by disgruntled Manchester United fans in 2005 who were opposed to the Malcolm Glazer takeover.

LOUD

Their vociferous and large support has forced them to move all their home matches to Bury FC and convinced Rhodri to leave his previous club Mossley to join them.

“This league is Northwest Counties so it’s all within a 30-mile radius, where at Mossley we had just been promoted and we have been going all over the show and I didn’t fancy that,” he adds, in his softly spoken thick Mancunian accent. “So I went to one of the FC United games and saw the support and I thought - I’m going to sign for them.

“I’ve played non-league football now for 10 years and you go to some places and you get 80 people in January but in January, we’ll be going to Gigg Lane, Bury, getting 2,500. There’s a big difference and they’re so loud, I mean really, really, loud.”

After winning promotion from the Northwest Counties Division Two last season, the club look on course for another one, after claiming nine wins from nine by the end of September. And with Rhodri, who has an uncanny physical resemblance to his brother, displaying consistent goal scoring form and an ability to create goals for others. Belief amongst FC united supporters has heightened that they could claim a place in the League within five years. “It could take a good 10 years before they get to the League,” cautions the right-winger.

“They may do it before but I’d say 10 years, it’s just really difficult. You have to go the Unibond first, then the Unibond Premier, Conference North, then the Conference before you reach the league. So it’s four or five years leagues you’ve got to win and you’re not going to do that every year. The higher up the leagues you go, it gets more physical, you need a bit more experience, and it’s harder.

In 2001, Rhodri reached the nadir of his life when he was imprisoned for assault for nine months, along with his friend Christopher Doyle, who received 15 months after an altercation between them and a group of Manchester City fans outside a nightclub.

“It’s not for me, jail, it’s no good.

When you go to prison it makes you not want to go back. I changed as soon as I went to prison and came out, it was five years ago now and it makes you not want to go back. It made my relationship with my mum and brother stronger and it made me stronger, it made us all strong, I think.”

Rhodri, who by his own admission has mellowed, recently had his first child and is hoping to make it a double celebration by clinching silverware at the end of his maiden season for FC United.

“Winning the league, that’s what I want, I was in this league with Salford for seven or eight years and never ever won it. I came second with Mossley but never ever won it, so I want to win this league.

“I just had a child Louis. It’s changed me a lot, it changes the way you think of life as he depends on you, I’ve never had that before so it’s strange but good.”

Published: 17 November 2006
Issue: 1244

FC United on revenge mission

Source: thisislancashire.co.uk

By Liam Chronnell

FC UNITED will be eager to avenge their only defeat of the season when they take on Salford City in the second round of the FA Vase tomorrow.

The Division One rivals prevented the Reds from breaking the North West Counties League record of 13 consecutive victories when they struck twice in injury time to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory last month.

The game attracted a crowd of more than 4,000 and, with passions sure to be running high again, both on and off pitch, the re-match has been switched to a 12 noon kick-off on police advice.

United will make one change for the short trip to The Willows, home of rugby league's Salford City Reds, with centre-half Rob Nugent, available again after recovering from a head wound, replacing the cup-tied Dave Brown. Striker Rory Patterson is suspended.

Also on the Wembley trail are Atherton Collieries, who travel to Northern Counties East Premier Division side Glasshoughton Welfare.

The Colls make the trip to Castleford full of confidence after booking their place in the last 16 of the League Challenge Cup last weekend.

Skipper Alex Lord is expected to make his first start after serving a one-match ban, while winger Andy Harvie has recovered from injury.

Out of the FA Vase, but buoyed by two excellent cup victories in their last two games, Atherton LR travel to fellow strugglers Formby.

Mark Cox's side, two places above the third-from-bottom Merseysiders, are looking for their first league win in 13 league games, but will have to deal with the threat of former Rovers player, and NWCL player of the year in 2004, Ben Obong.

Another side desperate for three points is Daisy Hill. Stuck in the bottom two, they face a tough trip to Chadderton in Division Two.

Salford make switch

Source: TheFA.com

By Alan Wilson. Thursday, 16 November 2006.

Salford City v FC United of Manchester
The FA Carlsberg Vase
Second Round Proper
12.00 noon, Saturday 18 November 2006
£1,000 to each winning club
Click here for the weekend's fixture list

Salford City chairman Darren Quick is keen to retain the Manchester bragging rights when his side face local rivals FC United in The FA Vase Second Round.

Salford ended United's unbeaten start to the season with 2-1 victory in the league early in October.

And Quick is hoping for more of the same this time around saying: "This has got to be the tie of the round.

"We beat them in the league a few weeks ago and that was their first defeat. We are very proud of that and pleased with the draw because we really want to beat our neighbours."

FC United started life in a blaze of publicity when a group of disgruntled Manchester United fans decided to form their own club in response to the arrival of Malcolm Glazer at Old Trafford.

And their links to Sir Alex Ferguson's side afford them an enormous fan base both home and away and add to the rivalry amongst the local sides.

With such massive interest in this FA Vase game, Salford have switched the tie to a neutral venue with an increased capacity on police advice, but that has brought problems of its own.

"Because of the amount of interest shown in the game we have had to switch the game to the local rugby league side where we can get more fans in," Quick added.

"We are expecting a crowd of between five and six thousand. We had the choice of playing the game at our place and getting a crowd of about 1,200 or switching the tie to cope with the demand.

"That brings as many problems because we have got to pay for the rent and also the policing of the tie and those aren't cheap.

"The home tie in the league was very good for us because that was a much needed cash injection."

‘We’ll beat United and win FA Vase’

Source: Salford Advertiser

SALFORD City Football Club boss Gary Fellows says his team will beat FC United in their FA Vase high noon showdown and then go on to win the whole competition.

The match at The Willows on Saturday, November 18, is being billed as a big rematch after Salford beat FC 2-1 in a pulsating North West Counties League game in October in front of 4,000 fans.

It is still FC’s only defeat of the season and the reds top the league, with City not far behind in fourth.

Fellows said: "We are a better team than FC United and we showed that at the previous game.

"FC play on good pitches in big grounds every week because of their crowd, but we don’t get that advantage and we’re still not far behind them.

"There’s not one player in my squad I would swap for one of theirs.

"My lads are all local with the majority living less than a mile from The Willows.

"I honestly think that whoever wins on Saturday will win the FA Vase and I’m more than confident it will be us.

"There’ll be a big crowd again - Salford people will be there in force."

Fellows’ brother Adie will lead the Ammies out on to the pitch.

Giggs' United front

Source: TheFA.com

Salford City v FC United of Manchester

The FA Carlsberg Vase
Second Round Proper
12.00 noon, Saturday 18 November 2006


Rhodri Giggs is the brother of Manchester United and Wales star Ryan Giggs. He began his playing career as a youngster with Torquay United and has since turned out for Bangor City, Aberystwyth Town, Kidsgrove Athletic, Salford City, Bacup Borough and Mossley.

29-year-old Rhodri is now part of the FC United of Manchester side who will play his old club Salford City in the Second Round of The FA Carlsberg Vase on Saturday.

We caught up with him in the build up to the game.

Rhodri, your FC United side triumphed 3-0 at Padiham in the First Round of the Vase. How did you feel about that result?
It was a good win for the team. We had lost 2-1 at Salford in the league so it is always pleasing to bounce back after a defeat.

Was 3-0 a fair scoreline at Padiham?
I’d say so. They didn’t really trouble us at the back. We created plenty of chances so 3-0 was a fair result.

There was an impressive attendance of 1,371 at Padiham. So the FC United fans turned out in force again?
There is always great support - home or away. That means that every game is a big occasion. All the other teams just look at the calendar and they can’t wait to play FC United. It is their cup final and so we have to treat it like a cup final as well.

FC United have been drawn away to Salford City in the Second Round of The Vase. As you have already mentioned, they beat you recently in the North West Counties League.
The result could have gone either way. But Salford did well and they got the win. We were upset to lose and we would like to put it right in the Vase.

FC United was only formed last year. So a good Vase run would be a big boost for the club?
Yes. We are top of the North West Counties League First Division and we want to win the title. But the lads also want to do well in the Vase for the fans. Those supporters can have a good day out wherever we go in the Vase.

FC United has been a great success.
It has been brilliant, yeah. I’ve only been here a few months but it has been really good. The progress that the club has made has been amazing and it can only get better.

The atmosphere at matches is quite remarkable isn’t it?
Yes. It took me a few games to get used to it. I had previously played in front of 100-150 people for Mossley. But now I am at FC United where our home crowds at Bury’s Gigg Lane ground range between 2,000 and 5,000. That is a big difference and the fans are very loud. They have a good voice!

And if you can progress in The FA Vase, the interest will build won’t it?
Yes of course. And that can only be good for the club.

Salford City v FC United of Manchester is one of 64 ties in The Vase this weekend. For a full list of fixtures click here. If you fancy going along to watch one, you can search our Club Finder to locate your chosen team.

More cup joy for FC United

Source: thisislancashire.co.uk

By Liam Chronnell

FC United's assault on all fronts continued as they sailed into the last 16 of the League Challenge Cup with a 3-0 win at title rivals Nantwich Town.

Rhodri Giggs opened the scoring for the leaders three minutes into the second half, and further goals from top-scorer Stuart Rudd and captain Dave Chadwick ensured their was no way back for the FA Vase holders, who are seven points behind United in second place, at Jackson Avenue.

Joining the Reds in the third round are Atherton Collieries, who won their first game in the competition since reaching the final in 2002/03.

The Alder House club enjoyed a superb 2-1 victory against high-flying Maine Road thanks to Craig Hobson's last-minute winner.

Anthony Pilkington had handed Colls a fourth-minute lead but Mike Turner equalised for the visitors with 20 minutes remaining.

Hobson struck late on, though they were indebted to goalkeeper Dave Rogerson for a spectacular save as Maine Road look to hit back immediately.

Atherton LR also continue to enjoy themselves in the cup with their second knockout success in a week.

After dumping UniBond Premier League side Radcliffe Boro out of the Lancashire Trophy in midweek Mark Cox's side defeated Blackpool Mechanics 1-0.

Ged McAllister's 14th goal of the season on the hour mark was enough to see off the home side.

Daisy Hill went down to two late goals at fellow Division Two side Chadderton.

Clancy sees red in classic

Source: South Manchester Reporter

North West Counties Division One
Maine Road 1
FC United 2

AN enthralled crowd of more than 3,000 turned out to witness Maine Road take on FC United in a tense encounter on Saturday.

In an end-to-end first half Road were first to cause panic with a desperate melee inside the FC United six-yard box.
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United came straight back with dangerman Stuart Rudd going close from 18 yards, before Tony Coyne shot just wide from close range.

As Road got on top, a good header on by Turner put Neil Chappell through, but his shot lacked the power to trouble Reds’ ‘keeper Ashton.

Richards then went close in the 42nd minute, getting on the end of a pinpoint cross from the impressive Mack.

A minute later saw the best chance yet as Road won a free kick 25-yards out.

Wright stepped up to take it and hit a ferocious swerving shot, acrobatically pushed on to the crossbar by Ashton.

In a feisty end to the half Road full-back Mark Clancy was controversially red-carded, and deep into nine minutes of injury time, Rudd pounced on some indecision by keeper Hall to put FC 1-0 ahead.

In the second half Rhodri Giggs and Matt Carden twice missed chances for United, before 10-man Road hauled themselves level. Mack won a crucial ball in midfield before finding Richards, whose determination took him through two tackles, and his shot squeezed past the desperate dive of keeper Ashton.

United attacked straight from the restart and Hall dropped a cross at the feet of Rudd, who shot over.

Five minutes later Maine Road were close to taking the lead. Mack’s free kick was met by McGee’s head, only to be denied by a great save from Ashton.

As United dominated possession Rudd went close again with a header that clipped the bar.

Maine Road were reliant on the counter attack and it nearly paid off in the 79th minute as some great football between Wright and Richards, allowed Halligan free in the six-yard box, but his shot was cleared off the line.

United’s pressure finally paid off in the 83rd minute when a cross came in from the left, which Road failed to clear.

It fell to the dangerous Rudd, who made up for his earlier miss, driving the ball past a hapless Hall. United should have sewn it up a minute later as Rory Patterson, through on his own, beat the ‘keeper, but not the post.

First published by the South Manchester Reporter

The day football rolled back the years

Source: South Manchester Reporter

THOUSANDS of Reds and Blues enjoyed a real derby day atmosphere as the breakaway Manchester United team took on a club started by Manchester City fans.

More than 3,100 fans travelled to Stalybridge to see FC United beat Maine Road by two goals to one in an incident-filled encounter.

The game was a harkback to the long lost days of football. Fans stood shoulder-to shoulder on the terraces, sang from start to finish and paid just £7 to get in.

Chorlton-based Maine Road, which was founded by City fans 51 years ago, played half of the game with ten men following the sending off of Marc Clancy but were squeezed out by two goals from Stuart Rudd.

The game was moved from Maine Road's home at Brantingham Road to Stalybridge Celtic’s Bower Field ground to accommodate the large number of fans wanting to attend. It was played in a partisan atmosphere with around 2,500 FC supporters finding some opposition in the shape of around 500 Road fans and some curious Blues.

Profits from the game are expected to cover Maine Road’s costs until the end of next season. Manager Ian Walker said: "It was the most enjoyable game of football in which I have been involved. The atmosphere FC United create is absolutely superb."

The two teams will meet again in the return fixture at Gigg Lane in Bury on April 9.

FC manager Karl Marginson said: "Road’s attitude was excellent - I have nothing but admiration for them."

First published by the South Manchester Reporter

NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS, HERE'S FC UNITED

Source: A Ducth football mag, translation to follow.

Double assault!

Source: Crewe Chronicle

By Peter Morse

CREWE Alex and Nantwich Town are aiming for cup glory on Saturday.

The Alex travel to Bradford City in the FA Cup first round hoping to set-off on a profitable run in the world's most famous domestic knockout competition.

And Jackson Avenue is expected to be a 2,000 sell-out for Nantwich's League Cup clash with FC United of Manchester.

Alex boss Dario Gradi said: 'Ours is a tricky tie but this is the FA Cup and who knows what will happen? We'll do our best.

'We can prepare well because we don't have a midweek match. That's beneficial because we can do some work. Recent matches have taken a toll, but the injury situation is easing now.'

Crewe hope to welcome fit-again Luke Varney, David Vaughan, Billy Jones and captain Neil Cox back for the trip to Bradford, who have suffered four straight defeats.

Nicky Maynard is sidelined, although his hamstring tear is not as severe as first feared. Julien Baudet (Achilles) is out, while the Alex need permission from Liverpool to field loan man Danny O'Donnell.

Luke Rodgers will keep his place in attack after bagging a last minute winner against Port Vale on Saturday.

Midfielder Ben Rix has happy memories of scoring a 30-yard screamer at Bradford in 2004, but hopes for better than the 2-1 defeat Crewe suffered that day.

He said: 'The result is the most important thing on Saturday. Bradford have a good side and beat us easily 3-0 in August, but we hadn't gelled as a team then. Now, if we play well we can beat anybody.'

Crewe's youth side are also in cup action. Steve Holland's men travel to Oldham's Boundary Park for an FA Youth Cup first round tie tonight (7pm).

Meanwhile, Dabbers boss Steve Davis says his team is ready for FC United, formed by Manchester United fans disgruntled at the American takeover of Old Trafford.

The visitors have a massive fan base and will help fill Jackson Avenue for the North West Counties League Challenge Cup second round fixture.

Davis said: 'As we are moving to a new ground next season, this could be the last time anyone can see a packed Jackson Avenue.

'United are a good side and lead the way in Division One, and we are second, so I'm sure it will be a great spectacle well worth watching.'

Nantwich hope to have Paul Donnelly back after injury, while Gyorgy Kiss plans to fly back from Hungary to take part.

* A limited number of remaining tickets are on sale at Jackson Avenue (01270 621771), Crewe Alex, FP Sports of Hospital Street Nantwich, and The Red Lion of Wybunbury.

Cheshire Police have instructed the strictly ticket-only affair is restricted to 2,000 people. Prices are: Adults £7, senior citizens £5, juniors £3.