Yesterday’s M.E.N. Sport story, in which Sir Alex Ferguson fired a blast at the breakaway rebels of FC United, stirred up a hornets’ nest of opinion. Here is a taste of some of the reaction on our website
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Fergie rapped. Fans angry at FC United jibe
Source: M.E.N. (no online content)
Yesterday’s M.E.N. Sport story, in which Sir Alex Ferguson fired a blast at the breakaway rebels of FC United, stirred up a hornets’ nest of opinion. Here is a taste of some of the reaction on our website
Yesterday’s M.E.N. Sport story, in which Sir Alex Ferguson fired a blast at the breakaway rebels of FC United, stirred up a hornets’ nest of opinion. Here is a taste of some of the reaction on our website
Good life for Rebels
Source: M.E.N. (no online content)STUART BRENNAN
FC UNITED’S management team is lost for words at the team’s start to the season – they cannot find anything to criticise!
The Rebels’ manager Karl Marginson has been at a loss as his side have racked up six straight wins at the top of the North West Counties League, ahead of tonight’s home game with Congleton (7.45pm)
Marginson said: “It has made team talks a bit tough, because we are struggling to pull them up on anything! We can’t even fine them for being five minutes late or anything, because everyone has been dead keen.”
The pressure for places is intense with a strong first-team squad and the reserves top of their division – and even the new youth team began its league season with a 4-0 win.
Right-back Matty Taylor returns from holiday to challenge for a place tonight, while defender Dave Brown has left to join rivals Salford.
FERGIE FIRES FC UNITED BLAST
Source: sportinglife.com
Same article used here: itv-football.co.uk, FOXSports.com, Team talk, Football365.com
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has criticised the fans who formed breakaway club FC United.
FC came into existence in the summer of 2005 in protest at the Glazer family's purchase of the Old Trafford giants.
Since then they've attracted crowds of up to 6,000 and taken non-league football by storm.
But according to The Manchester Evening News, Fergie has labelled the founding fans self-publicists in a new book.
He said of the formation of the new club in `The Official Manchester United Diary of the Season': "I'm sorry about that. It is a bit sad that part, but I wonder just how big a United supporter they are.
"They seem to me to be promoting or projecting themselves a wee bit rather than saying `at the end of the day the club have made a decision, we'll stick by them.' It's more about them than us."
And he also appears to dismiss the notion of supporters having a say in the running of a football club.
An FC United spokesperson told the paper: "It's sad that Ferguson has chosen to make these comments because a war of words does no-one any good.
"When David Gill made similar comments it was easier to dismiss, but it hard to swallow when it comes from Sir Alex, who as a previous champion of supporters' rights should have a better understanding of the situation.
"The situation is that whether fans stopped going to Old Trafford on a point of principle or because they could no longer afford the prices, they did so with a heavy heart and remain Manchester United supporters. Those supporters deserve better than this."
Same article used here: itv-football.co.uk, FOXSports.com, Team talk, Football365.com
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has criticised the fans who formed breakaway club FC United.
FC came into existence in the summer of 2005 in protest at the Glazer family's purchase of the Old Trafford giants.
Since then they've attracted crowds of up to 6,000 and taken non-league football by storm.
But according to The Manchester Evening News, Fergie has labelled the founding fans self-publicists in a new book.
He said of the formation of the new club in `The Official Manchester United Diary of the Season': "I'm sorry about that. It is a bit sad that part, but I wonder just how big a United supporter they are.
"They seem to me to be promoting or projecting themselves a wee bit rather than saying `at the end of the day the club have made a decision, we'll stick by them.' It's more about them than us."
And he also appears to dismiss the notion of supporters having a say in the running of a football club.
An FC United spokesperson told the paper: "It's sad that Ferguson has chosen to make these comments because a war of words does no-one any good.
"When David Gill made similar comments it was easier to dismiss, but it hard to swallow when it comes from Sir Alex, who as a previous champion of supporters' rights should have a better understanding of the situation.
"The situation is that whether fans stopped going to Old Trafford on a point of principle or because they could no longer afford the prices, they did so with a heavy heart and remain Manchester United supporters. Those supporters deserve better than this."
FERGIE BLASTS GLAZER REBELS
Source: Daily Star (no online content)by NEIL JOHNSTON
SIR ALEX FERGUSON has launched an amazing attack on breakaway Manchester United fans who opposed Malcolm Glazer’s Old Trafford takeover.
Ferguson has labelled the rebels ‘selfpublicists’ for forming FC United – the club set up by fans who opposed Glazer’s hostile Old Trafford takeover.
The United boss, who has previously stayed silent on the subject, also revealed he was bombarded with phone calls from anti-Glazer supporters urging him to quit at the height of last summer’s controversy.
Ferguson’s outburst has sparked a war of words with FC United last night branding the Scot’s comments ‘sad’.
In a new book, The Official Manchester United Diary of the Season, Ferguson said: “I wonder just how big a United supporter they are.
“They seem to me to be promoting or projecting themselves a wee bit rather than saying ‘at the end of the day the club have made a decision, we’ll stick by them’.”
Fergie said the prospect of leaving his backroom staff in the lurch was the main reason he did not quit.
But the United boss added: “They seemed to forget that I have brought at least, well, I’ve brought everybody here!
“Les Kershaw has been with me 18 years, Dave Bushell, Jim Ryan, Tony Whelan, Paul McGuinness, Mike Phelan, Brian McClair, they have been with me virtually
FERGUSON: Rap for fans from the beginning or at least over 10 or 12 years.
“I said ‘What happens to my staff if I go?’ I feel that I have a responsibility to them.”
Last night, a spokesman for North West Counties First Division leaders FC United hit back at Fergie.
He said: “It’s sad that Ferguson has chosen to make these comments because a war of words does no one any good.
“When David Gill made similar comments it was easier to dismiss.
“But it is hard to swallow when it comes from Sir Alex, who as a previous champion of supporters’ rights should have a better understanding of the situation.”
Meanwhile, Norway coach Aage Hareide has sparked a row by dropping United’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the bench for tonight’s game against Moldova.
The striker scored twice in the 4-1 win over Hungary on Saturday but it has been claimed he has been left out to keep Ferguson happy after he expressed doubts about the player resuming his international career.
Hareide justified the move by the fact that Solskjaer, 33, was just back from a knee injury that kept him out for nearly two years. “He has to be used sensibly after his long injury,” said Hareide.
Ferguson was upset Solskjaer had even been named in the squad for the qualifiers.
FERGIE’S SWIPE AT THE ANTI-GLAZER LEAGUE
Source: Daily Mail (no online content)
By IAN LADYMAN
SIR ALEX FERGUSON has launched an attack on the Manchester United supporters who formed the breakaway club FC United in the wake of the Glazer takeover last year. United manager Ferguson accused the fans who turned their back on the club of self promotion and questioned their loyalty to the dynasty he has built during his 20 years at Old Trafford. In a new book chronicling the events of last season, Ferguson said: ‘It is a bit sad, but I wonder just how big United supporters they are. ‘They seem to me to be promoting or projecting themselves a wee bit rather than saying “At the end of the day the club have made a decision, we’ll stick by them”.’ FC United were formed just weeks after the Old Trafford club were bought by the Glazer family in the summer of 2005. Thousands now turn out to watch the non-League club play in the North West Counties Football League, rather than go to watch Premiership football at Old Trafford. An FC United spokesman said last night: ‘It’s sad that Ferguson, who was a previous champion of supporters’ rights, has chosen to make these comments. ‘The situation is that whether fans stopped going to Old Trafford on a point of principle or because they could no longer afford the prices, they did so with a heavy heart and remain Manchester United supporters. They deserve better than this.’ In the book, Ferguson also dismisses claims that fans prevented BSkyB from buying the club in the 1990s. ‘It was the Monopolies and Mergers Commission that stopped that,’ he adds. ‘They (the fans) carried on to the degree where they actually thought they should have a say in the running of the club.’ But a spokesman for the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association said: ‘The only people who have constantly given to United are the fans, and that gives them the right to have a say as to how the club is run.’ Meanwhile, United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who scored twice for Norway in their 4-1 win over Hungary on Saturday, will start tonight’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Moldova on the bench. It is understood that Ferguson and Norway coach Aage Hareide have an arrangement to limit injury-plagued Solskjaer’s international activity, but the decision has angered fans and the media in the player’s homeland.
By IAN LADYMAN
SIR ALEX FERGUSON has launched an attack on the Manchester United supporters who formed the breakaway club FC United in the wake of the Glazer takeover last year. United manager Ferguson accused the fans who turned their back on the club of self promotion and questioned their loyalty to the dynasty he has built during his 20 years at Old Trafford. In a new book chronicling the events of last season, Ferguson said: ‘It is a bit sad, but I wonder just how big United supporters they are. ‘They seem to me to be promoting or projecting themselves a wee bit rather than saying “At the end of the day the club have made a decision, we’ll stick by them”.’ FC United were formed just weeks after the Old Trafford club were bought by the Glazer family in the summer of 2005. Thousands now turn out to watch the non-League club play in the North West Counties Football League, rather than go to watch Premiership football at Old Trafford. An FC United spokesman said last night: ‘It’s sad that Ferguson, who was a previous champion of supporters’ rights, has chosen to make these comments. ‘The situation is that whether fans stopped going to Old Trafford on a point of principle or because they could no longer afford the prices, they did so with a heavy heart and remain Manchester United supporters. They deserve better than this.’ In the book, Ferguson also dismisses claims that fans prevented BSkyB from buying the club in the 1990s. ‘It was the Monopolies and Mergers Commission that stopped that,’ he adds. ‘They (the fans) carried on to the degree where they actually thought they should have a say in the running of the club.’ But a spokesman for the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association said: ‘The only people who have constantly given to United are the fans, and that gives them the right to have a say as to how the club is run.’ Meanwhile, United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who scored twice for Norway in their 4-1 win over Hungary on Saturday, will start tonight’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Moldova on the bench. It is understood that Ferguson and Norway coach Aage Hareide have an arrangement to limit injury-plagued Solskjaer’s international activity, but the decision has angered fans and the media in the player’s homeland.
Split decision irks Ferguson
Source: Times Online
Sir Alex Ferguson has questioned the motives of the rebellious supporters who formed the breakaway club, FC United of Manchester, after the Glazer family’s takeover at Old Trafford (James Ducker writes).
“It is a bit sad that part, but I wonder just how big a United supporter they are,” Ferguson said in The Official Manchester United Diary of the Season. “They seem to me to be promoting or projecting themselves a wee bit rather than saying, ‘The club have made a decision, we’ll stick by them.’ It’s more about them than us.”
The Manchester United manager also revealed that he had fielded calls at home from fans urging him to resign when the takeover was going through, but he said that he could never do that because of the responsibility he has to his staff.
Sir Alex Ferguson has questioned the motives of the rebellious supporters who formed the breakaway club, FC United of Manchester, after the Glazer family’s takeover at Old Trafford (James Ducker writes).
“It is a bit sad that part, but I wonder just how big a United supporter they are,” Ferguson said in The Official Manchester United Diary of the Season. “They seem to me to be promoting or projecting themselves a wee bit rather than saying, ‘The club have made a decision, we’ll stick by them.’ It’s more about them than us.”
The Manchester United manager also revealed that he had fielded calls at home from fans urging him to resign when the takeover was going through, but he said that he could never do that because of the responsibility he has to his staff.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Study writing on the wall
Stuart Brennan
Manchester Evening News
5 September 2006
FERGIE has a sign on the wall of his office in Carrington which reads “AhcumfiGovan,” a reminder, to himself as much as anyone, of his pride in his stark Glasgow roots.
Perhps these days he should put another sign alongside it reading “BurralivinWilmslow” because he appears to be in serious danger of losing sight of his background.
The comments he makes in a new book about the supporters who opposed the Glazer family takeover, and continue to do so, and those who formed FC United as a fresh new alternative to the greed merchants of the Premier League, are ill-conceived and shallow.
Fergie claims that United fans had nothing to do with the successful opposition to the BSkyB bid for the club in 1998, and that it was strictly a decision by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission which thwarted Rupert Murdoch.
Of course it was the MMC which made the decision, but they themselves afterwards flagged up the role played by United fans in their own decisionprogress.
He appears to dismiss the founders of FC United, who number in their thousands and include many who are still Old Trafford season ticket holders and other Manchester United regulars, as attention seekers.
I would suggest that if you are seeking attention, the worst place to do it is in the North West Counties division.
His apparent dismissal of the notion that supporters should have a say in the running of football clubs is also breathtaking in its aloofness. It is just a few years since Fergie wrote to Shareholders United, born out of the Murdoch fight and in the thick of the anti-Glazer campaign, urging supporters to get involved as it was for the good of the game.
Has that principle been lost in the mayhem of the Glazer deal, or is he simply too afraid to speak his mind for fear of offending the new owners?
Stuart Brennan won the national Football Writer of the Year Award from the Football Supporters Federation for his work covering fans' issues at United and FC United.
Fergie lays into FC United
Source: MENStuart Brennan
5th September 2006
SIR Alex Ferguson is today at the centre of a storm after criticising Reds fans who formed rebel club FC United.
In a new book, the Old Trafford boss, already under fire from some supporters for the fact that United have been the Premiership's lowest spenders during the transfer window, has labelled the thousands of fans who broke away to form the Rebels in protest against last year's takeover by the American tycoon Malcolm Glazer as self-publicists.
And he also appears to dismiss the notion of supporters having a say in the running of a football club, as well as re-iterating his statement from last season that life at Old Trafford has improved under the new regime.
On the formation of FC United, Ferguson in `The Official Manchester United Diary of the Season,' said: "I'm sorry about that. It is a bit sad that part, but I wonder just how big a United supporter they are.
"They seem to me to be promoting or projecting themselves a wee bit rather than saying `at the end of the day the club have made a decision, we'll stick by them.' It's more about them than us."
An FC United spokesperson replied: "It's sad that Ferguson has chosen to make these comments because a war of words does no-one any good.
"When David Gill made similar comments it was easier to dismiss, but it hard to swallow when it comes from Sir Alex, who as a previous champion of supporters' rights should have a better understanding of the situation.
"The situation is that whether fans stopped going to Old Trafford on a point of principle or because they could no longer afford the prices, they did so with a heavy heart and remain Manchester United supporters. Those supporters deserve better than this."
Takeover
Sir Alex also reveals in the book, written by Tom Tyrrell, that anti-Glazer supporters had phoned him at home to urge him to resign when the takeover was going through.
Ferguson says that the prospect of leaving his staff in the lurch was the principal reason he did not quit, saying of the angry fans: "They seemed to forget that I have brought at least ... well, I've brought everybody here!
"The likes of Les Kershaw has been with me 18 years, Dave Bushell, Jim Ryan, Tony Whelan, Paul McGuinness, Mike Phelan, Brian McClair, they have been here with me virtually from the beginning, or at least over 10 or 12 years and I said `What happens to my staff if I go?' I feel that I have a responsibility to them.
"Need them to stay in a job, not me. So, therefore, there was a lot of hot air and a lot of unfair criticism because nobody actually knew the people.
"I can understand people thinking they have to protect the club, and I am fully aware of that, but all these protests should have been done when they went plc.
"That was the time to protest because thereafter Manchester United was never going to be the same."
Responsible
Many of the supporters at the core of the anti-Glazer struggle were those who had opposed the failed takeover by Rupert Murdoch's BSkyB in 1998.
Ferguson says that he was opposed to the Murdoch bid, but questions the fans' role in that successful fight, saying: "They (the fans) felt they were responsible for stopping the BSkyB deal, which is not true. Absolutely not.
"They may have made their voice heard but they were not responsible. It was the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) that stopped that.
"They carried on to the degree where they actually thought they should have a say in the running of the football club."
But those involved in the anti-Sky campaign point out that the MMC themselves referred to the role supporters played, helping to persuade the commission that the deal would have been against the public interest.
And Mark Longden of the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association hit back at the manager, saying:
"Fergie is turning into the Marie Antoinette of Old Trafford, because the stuff he is coming out with is tantamount to saying `Let them eat cake.'
"Everyone associated with United has taken money out of the football club. The only people who have constantly given to it are the fans, and that gives them the right to have a say as to how the club is run."
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....fc_united.html
Friday, September 01, 2006
FC United aim for seventh win
Source: This is Lancashire
By Staff Sports Reporter
ATHERTON Collieries stand between FC United and seventh heaven.
Karl Marginson's side lead North West Counties Division One by three points after extending their 100 per cent record with a sixth win against Flixton in midweek.
Indeed, such is the Reds' dominance, Marginson is considering resting some of his players for the visit of Colls at Gigg Lane on Saturday.
continued...
"I keep telling the players what a strong squad we have, so it's about time I showed them some trust and put my faith in them," said the United manager. "But we're on a great little run and we want to keep that going."
But the visitors will not just be going to make up the numbers. The Alder House club are enjoying their best-ever start in division one, and Chris Perkins grabbed a last-minute winner against St Helens Town on Monday night to move Colls up to 10th.
Meanwhile, Atherton LR are back in FA Cup action when they take on Clitheroe in the preliminary round at Crilly Park.
In Division Two, second-from-bottom Daisy Hill are still searching for their first points of the season when they travel to Winsford.
By Staff Sports Reporter
ATHERTON Collieries stand between FC United and seventh heaven.
Karl Marginson's side lead North West Counties Division One by three points after extending their 100 per cent record with a sixth win against Flixton in midweek.
Indeed, such is the Reds' dominance, Marginson is considering resting some of his players for the visit of Colls at Gigg Lane on Saturday.
continued...
"I keep telling the players what a strong squad we have, so it's about time I showed them some trust and put my faith in them," said the United manager. "But we're on a great little run and we want to keep that going."
But the visitors will not just be going to make up the numbers. The Alder House club are enjoying their best-ever start in division one, and Chris Perkins grabbed a last-minute winner against St Helens Town on Monday night to move Colls up to 10th.
Meanwhile, Atherton LR are back in FA Cup action when they take on Clitheroe in the preliminary round at Crilly Park.
In Division Two, second-from-bottom Daisy Hill are still searching for their first points of the season when they travel to Winsford.
History beckons at the Willows
Source: Salford Advertiser
IT may be more famous for rugby league, but The Willows is expecting a huge crowd when it hosts the historic football match between Salford City and FC United.
FC United, who average over 2,500 fans per match, will visit the Salford Reds’ stadium on Tuesday, September 26 for the North West Counties Football League division one game after a deal was struck between Salford City Football Club and Reds’ owner John Wilkinson.
FCUM had hoped to be based at The Willows when the club was formed last year in the wake of Malcolm Glazer’s take over at Manchester United but a deal with Mr Wilkinson could not be struck.
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He was, however, happy to help City, who will enjoy a big cash boost, as they were unable to stage the game at their Moor Lane ground due to the limited capacity. Mr Wilkinson said: "Salford City contacted me and I am happy to host the game as it will help raise their profile and having this fixture in Salford would be a massive boost for the area and the football club.
"Unfortunately there will substantial amounts of cash involved to cover our costs but I am looking forward to the game being here and hopefully there will be a big crowd.
"FC United approached me some time ago about the possibility of playing their home games at the Willows.
"I thought we had enough going on there without a football team playing on the pitch every other week too.
"As well as the Reds we use the pitch for development purposes which involves the local community. School kids play on it as well as all our junior teams and I have to be sure the pitch and stadium can stand up to it. Although the extra revenue would have been nice I have to make a decision based on what is best for Salford City Reds. It’s nothing personal against FC United at all."
Salford City player and former Manchester United star Ben Thornley said: "It’ll be great to have the game at the Willows, both for the club and the players.
"There’ll be a big crowd which will create a good atmosphere for us and hopefully it’ll bring in a few extra quid for the club as well which we need at this level."
IT may be more famous for rugby league, but The Willows is expecting a huge crowd when it hosts the historic football match between Salford City and FC United.
FC United, who average over 2,500 fans per match, will visit the Salford Reds’ stadium on Tuesday, September 26 for the North West Counties Football League division one game after a deal was struck between Salford City Football Club and Reds’ owner John Wilkinson.
FCUM had hoped to be based at The Willows when the club was formed last year in the wake of Malcolm Glazer’s take over at Manchester United but a deal with Mr Wilkinson could not be struck.
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He was, however, happy to help City, who will enjoy a big cash boost, as they were unable to stage the game at their Moor Lane ground due to the limited capacity. Mr Wilkinson said: "Salford City contacted me and I am happy to host the game as it will help raise their profile and having this fixture in Salford would be a massive boost for the area and the football club.
"Unfortunately there will substantial amounts of cash involved to cover our costs but I am looking forward to the game being here and hopefully there will be a big crowd.
"FC United approached me some time ago about the possibility of playing their home games at the Willows.
"I thought we had enough going on there without a football team playing on the pitch every other week too.
"As well as the Reds we use the pitch for development purposes which involves the local community. School kids play on it as well as all our junior teams and I have to be sure the pitch and stadium can stand up to it. Although the extra revenue would have been nice I have to make a decision based on what is best for Salford City Reds. It’s nothing personal against FC United at all."
Salford City player and former Manchester United star Ben Thornley said: "It’ll be great to have the game at the Willows, both for the club and the players.
"There’ll be a big crowd which will create a good atmosphere for us and hopefully it’ll bring in a few extra quid for the club as well which we need at this level."
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