We Bottled It!

Source: Burnley Express
BLUES assistant boss Gary Bradshaw can't accept Wednesday's performance at FC United.
The Blues crashed to a 6-0 defeat, in what was their first away game of the new season.
And Bradshaw pointed the finger squarely at the players, admitting a large portion of them bottled it.
He blasted: "It was a big disappointment.
"The way the lads stepped up to the plate on Saturday (against Newcastle) was commendable.
"But on Wednesday, they didn't, and a big percentage of the team bottled it.
"That tag doesn't apply to everyone, but a lot of them did and a lot of them let the side down.
"The first 15 minutes we gave a really good account of ourselves, and we put them on the back foot.
"But once the first goal goes in that was it, they didn't want to know."
He added: "I think we were more disappointed with the performance than anything else.
"If you turn up and get beat, but give it your all, you don't mind so much because there was nothing more you could have done.
"You hold your hands up and accept it, but Wednesday night we can't accept.
"You can't completely fold just 15 minutes into a game, if you do that all season you're only going one way.
"And we will be looking for a response this weekend for the lads to stand up and be counted.
"From now on, we will see which players are up to the task, and which aren't.
"We hope it doesn't dent our confidence, but we want them to get back to what they were doing on Saturday.
"That is the most galling thing, they did so well on Saturday and they really showed Newcastle what they were made of."
That midweek performance came after the Blues gave an excellent account of themselves in the goalless draw with Newcastle Town on Saturday.
And Bradshaw wants a repeat of that when Nelson travel to face Northern Counties East Premier Division side Liversedge in the FA Cup tomorrow (kick-off 3 p.m.).
He said: "It will take the pressure of the league off, but there shouldn't really be any pressure at this stage.
"We obviously want to progress in the competition, not only for confidence but for the prize money.
"But it is a chance for players to stake a claim for a shirt, and step up to the plate.
"From what I have seen of Liversedge they are a strong side, and from an equivalent level of football to us. It will be a hard game, but every game will be at this level of football."
Nelson follow that with a home game against neighbours Colne on Wednesday (kick-off 7-45 p.m.).

MEN: Rebels in big test

Source: M.E.N. (no online content)

FC UNITED face what promises to be their first searching examination of the new season tomorrow when they square up to FA Vase holders Nantwich at Gigg Lane.

The newly-promoted Rebel Reds have made an immediate impact in the NW Counties League first division with Wednesday’s 6-0 rout of Nelson taking them into second place behind Trafford.

But Karl Marginson’s men, who have yet to concede a goal, aren’t likely to find life quite so easy against a Nantwich side tipped to challenge them for the title.

And player manager Steve Davis says: “We’ve been looking forward to this game ever since the fixtures came out.”

MEN: Points of view

Source: M.E.N. (no online content)

IN response to Unemployed Coalminer of Hale (Postbag, August 15), I can understand the frustration of other supporters in relation to the coverage afforded by the M.E.N. to FC United of Manchester – but the club has received this because of its unique formation by die-hard supporters prepared to drop 10 divisions and leave behind top-flight football on a point of principle. They made the club the second best supported non-league club in its first season. FC United has provided what many believe is reminiscent of the match experience as Old Trafford used to be.
Scott Taylor, Manchester

MANY discerning football fans are sick and tired of being ripped off by extortionate ticket prices, ever-changing football kits and having no input into their club. FC United’s average home attendances support their column centimetres. Even some football league clubs struggle to match FC United for pulling power: Macclesfield Town averaged 2,275 and ground sharers Bury only 2,594.
Mike, FC United season ticket holder

MEN: Rampaging Rebels are a six-hit

Source: M.E.N. (no online content)

Red-hot FC United hit Nelson for six at a soggy Gigg Lane last night to establish themselves as the early pacesetters in the North West Counties League first division.

The Rebel Reds never looked back after being gifted a 10th-minute lead when Alex Mortimer’s corner glanced in off the head of a visiting defender.

It was plain sailing for Karl Marginson’s men after that, with star striker Rory Patterson helping himself to a hat-trick scoring once in the first-half and twice after the interval before Stuart Rudd and Steve Smith completed a 6-0 demolition job.

The rout made for great entertainment for a crowd of 2,129 and means FC United have taken maximum points from their opening two games.

MEN: Rebels are on a revenge mission

Source: M.E.N. (no online content)

NON-LEAGUE SOCCER TONY GLENNON
FC UNITED will be out for revenge when they make their long-awaited home debut in the North West Counties League first division tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

Visitors Nelson were one of only four teams to beat the Rebel Reds at Gigg Lane last season as the pair scorched to promotion.

United completed a league double over the Lancastrians, but Nelson responded by knocking Karl Marginson’s men out of the Division Two Trophy in front of their own fans.

Both sides made positive starts to the new season at the weekend, United winning 2-0 at St Helens while Nelson held fancied Newcastle Town to a goalless draw.

Meanwhile, a defensive mix-up cost Altrincham a precious Conference National point as they fell to an 81st minute goal at Stafford Rangers last night.

The Robins were within sight of a deserved draw when Val Owen and ‘keeper Stuart Coburn got in a tangle, leaving Stafford dangerman Guy Madjo with the easy task of rolling the ball into an empty net.

It was tough on Alty, who’d been the more fluent, although Rangers had posed the greater threat throughout, with Madjo a constant menace to Graham Heathcote’s men.

There was disappointment, too, for Northwich, who crashed 2-0 to Sammy McIlroy’s Morecambe at the Victoria Stadium.

One-time Manchester United starlet Michael Twiss proved to be Vics’ two-goal destroyer, striking first in the 29th minute before finally killing off Steve Burr’s side with his second moments before the final whistle.

Stalybridge opened their victory account in Conference North with makeshift striker Mark Hume’s second goal in two games – an 82nd minute effort from Scott Maxfield’s corner –proving enough to sink Lancaster at Giant Axe.

The win leaves Bridge tucked in behind the early leaders with four points from their two starts.

Leigh RMI remain pointless after crashing 3-1 to visiting Farsley Celtic.

A little more balance please on your FC United coverage

Source: M.E.N. (no online content)

ONCE again the M.E.N. has seen fit to give more coverage to one non-league football club than all the other non-league clubs in the region. That club is FC United of Manchester, a club in the North West Counties League Division One, the fifth tier of the non-league pyramid – effectively Division Nine in the national league structure.

Traditionally the M.E.N. aligns the volume of coverage it gives with a club’s league status, yet on August 11, about 41 column centimetres were devoted to FC United, yet Altrincham, Northwich, Droylsden, Stalybridge, Hyde and Leigh – all teams playing in higher leagues shared 26 colum centimetres between them.

FC also received more coverage than Stockport, Oldham, Bury and Macclesfield, who all play in the Football League.

No doubt the M.E.N. will claim that the FC story is of interest to more people on the basis of their having borrowed Manchester United’s history to form their club, but this is a kick in the teeth to the fans who have supported the other clubs I have mentioned for many years, many of whom who buy the paper for news of their club only to find nightly bulletins from FC instead, including transfer news and pre-season game coverage that other clubs do not receive.

These are clubs which have fought and struggled to maintain their level, if not their very survival, not just cruised through an amateur league with a semi-professional team.

Until FC United have earned their place in the football pyramid I’d like to suggest the newspaper gives them the same level of coverage given to other NWCL teams – merely their match scores on the results page.

Unemployed coalminer, Hale

In an ideal world

Source: Sunday Times


In an ideal world FC United battle through to the FA Cup third round and defeat Manchester United in a tie moved to the City of Manchester stadium to accomodate the bumper crowd.



toasts comment: eh??

Daily Express: Sam’s Corrie cash on United rebels

Source: Daily Express - no online content

WEATHERFIELD may be in the shadow of Old Trafford, but Malcolm Glazer cannot expect a donation from the latest resident of Coronation Street to come in to help keep the bankers from the door.

Adam Baldwin has got a slice of his grandfather’s inheritance after all, apparently – I’m not usually a soap fan but it was on before the Liverpool game on Wednesday – but actor Sam Robertson’s allegiance lies with the breakaway set of supporters who opposed the American’s takeover.

Earlier this week Robertson made his debut for FC United, setting up the first goal in a 2-1 win at Abbey Hey in the North West Counties Division One match.

Meanwhile, fans hoping to see another Giggs make his debut for “United” – Manchester United star Ryan’s younger brother Rhodri – were disappointed as the man once imprisoned for his part in a nightclub brawl was being “rested” for the next game tomorrow.

MEN: One step at a time for the Rebels

Source: M.E.N. - no online content


FC United have a long road to travel
-----------------------------------
Lyons prepared to play waiting game

TONY GLENNON

FC UNITED are ready to resume the challenge of bridging the yawning gap which still separates them from the North West’s “elite” semi-professional clubs despite their debutseason promotion success in the Moore and Co Construction Solicitors League.

The Rebels tomorrow make their bow in division one with a trip to St Helens Town, secure in the knowledge they boast a fan-base which is the envy of all the region’s other leading nonleague outfits.

But, though United’s huge following makes them currently the second-best supported non-league team in the country, so lowly is their status in the semi-pro pyramid that it will be another four years at least before they might be ready to rub shoulders with the likes of Altrincham in the Nationwide Conference’s national division – the last stop before the Coca-Cola League.

For them to achieve that within that time frame, United will have to maintain their present rate of progress and secure promotion not only this season but for the next three to come – a daunting prospect even for a club of their size and potential.

But player/coach Darren Lyons insists that’s a marathon they plan to complete by adopting the approach of an endurance athlete and concentrating, not on longterm objectives, but simply on the next step.

Speaking as manager Karl Marginson was away sunning himself on a Spanish beach, Lyons said: “Of course, we’d love to be in the Conference or the League, but, hopefully, that will come in time.

“And, in any case, I don’t think it would be right for us to jump leagues, especially given the financial benefits we’re bringing to the clubs we meet along the way in terms of their attendances when they play us.

“At the same time, we know it’s good for us that we focus on walking before we can run, taking each step as it comes. It might take us a few years to get to where we want to be – but I’m sure we’ll enjoy the journey.”

While there’s talk that as many as six clubs could be promoted from the Solicitors League to the UniBond at the end of this season as a result of ongoing restructuring at the foot of the pyramid, FC United are, says Lyons, working on the premise that just the champions will go up.

Nevertheless, optimism’s running high in the Rebels’ camp, despite there being little margin for error.

Lyons added: assistant manager “Karl, Phil Power and I know exactly what to expect of this division and we’re all aiming for the same thing – to go up at the first attempt.

“We’ve strengthened last season’s division two championship-winning squad in the areas where we felt it needed to be and, although losing Steve Torpey to Halifax was a blow, we now have competition for places in every position.

“We also now have some terrific prospects coming through the club’s new reserve and youth set-ups and, if we can build on the form we’ve shown in our recent friendly wins over Halifax and Leigh RMI, we’d like to think we’ll take some stopping.”

MEN: Streetwise Sam makes his mark

Source: M.E.N.

Coronation Street actor Sam Robertson starred in FC United’s 2-1 win over Abbey Hey at Bower Fold last night. The Rebel Reds put out a second string 11, but still proved too strong for their fellow North West Counties Division One side.

Robertson, aka Adam Baldwin, played some neat passes and was involved in FC’s opening goal. Tricky winger Warren Collier finished a neat move with a great chip on 20 minutes. The little number seven impressed throughout but it was experienced forward Leon Mike who won the game for the Rebels with a tremendous swerver from 25 yards on the hour.

Josh Cathcart grabbed a late consolation for Abbey Hey.