Source: Mirror.co.uk
By Iain Hepburn
A little moment of history will be made this weekend in the North West of England.
The vast majority of attention in Manchester will be focused on Roy Keane’s return to Old Trafford with his Sunderland side on Saturday night.
But almost a day later, and a few miles away, FC United will be playing Trafford FC at Moss Lane.
And why is this significant, you ask? Because it will mark FC United’s debut in the FA Cup, the world’s oldest cup competition and the trophy Manchester United have won 11 times.
It may only be the preliminary round of the competition – almost, but not quite, as early as you can embark on the road to Wembley. But it marks another milestone for the little club born two years ago, and forged out of protest and anger.
Victory at this stage of the competition is worth £1000 to a club – nothing if you’re the Premiership champions, but a hell of a lot to sides further down the pyramid.
At this level of the cup, the names may be unfamiliar but the stories aren’t. London ASPA won their extra preliminary replay against Sporting Bengal last week – making them the first Asian team to make the preliminary round.
For the sides taking part in this weekend’s fixtures, they’re just 11 rounds away from the final.
Both teams were founded from passion and a disenfranchised community – be it at the semi-pro level, as players wanting to be a standard bearer for Asian football in the UK, or at the top of the Premier League, left out in the cold by United’s takeover by the Glazer family and the direction of the club.
And both now find themselves, like around 600 others, on the road to Wembley.
Forget all the hype, all the media glitz and glamour. That’s the real magic of the FA Cup.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Rossendale 1 FC United 2
Source: M.E.N.
FC UNITED had striker Stuart Rudd to thank for their second successive victory as they won 2-1 away at Rossendale.
The big number nine scored one and won the penalty for the second as FC triumphed in the UniBond First Division North clash.
A bumper bank holiday crowd of 2,023 at Dark Lane saw Rudd crack in a 25-yard free-kick before the home side equalised before the break through Mark Drew.
But Rudd was impeded in the box with 10 minutes left and Nicky Platt put the penalty away to make it two wins from four games for United.
FC UNITED had striker Stuart Rudd to thank for their second successive victory as they won 2-1 away at Rossendale.
The big number nine scored one and won the penalty for the second as FC triumphed in the UniBond First Division North clash.
A bumper bank holiday crowd of 2,023 at Dark Lane saw Rudd crack in a 25-yard free-kick before the home side equalised before the break through Mark Drew.
But Rudd was impeded in the box with 10 minutes left and Nicky Platt put the penalty away to make it two wins from four games for United.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Nicky is spot on for Rebels
Source: The Bolton News
By Liam Chronnell
NICKY Platt's late penalty helped FC United defeat Rossendale 2-1 in the UniBond Division One North.
The midfielder coolly stroked home the 85th-minute spot-kick after Stuart Rudd had been hauled down in the area.
Rudd had earlier given the Rebels the lead from a free-kick on 70 minutes, but Rossendale were level five minutes later through Mark Drew.
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However, Platt kept his nerve from 12 yards to hand United the points in front of a crowd of 2,023 at Dark Lane.
By Liam Chronnell
NICKY Platt's late penalty helped FC United defeat Rossendale 2-1 in the UniBond Division One North.
The midfielder coolly stroked home the 85th-minute spot-kick after Stuart Rudd had been hauled down in the area.
Rudd had earlier given the Rebels the lead from a free-kick on 70 minutes, but Rossendale were level five minutes later through Mark Drew.
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However, Platt kept his nerve from 12 yards to hand United the points in front of a crowd of 2,023 at Dark Lane.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Rebels blast back in style
Rebels blast back in style
By Liam Chronnell
Source: The Bolton News
FC UNITED returned to winning ways in style with a superb 6-0 home victory over Bridlington Town.
Rory Patterson hit four goals to help the Rebels, who visit Rossendale United today, register their first points after losing their opening two Unibond League First Division North fixtures.
The star striker, who had been a doubt after limping off in the midweek defeat against Garthforth Town, opened the scoring on 14 minutes, before adding a second eight minutes later.
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But Patterson had to wait until 70 minutes for his hat-trick strike and wrapped up the contest when he headed a fourth 10 minutes later.
Substitute Anthony Hargeaves made it five and Matty Taylor completed the scoring from the penalty spot.
By Liam Chronnell
Source: The Bolton News
FC UNITED returned to winning ways in style with a superb 6-0 home victory over Bridlington Town.
Rory Patterson hit four goals to help the Rebels, who visit Rossendale United today, register their first points after losing their opening two Unibond League First Division North fixtures.
The star striker, who had been a doubt after limping off in the midweek defeat against Garthforth Town, opened the scoring on 14 minutes, before adding a second eight minutes later.
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But Patterson had to wait until 70 minutes for his hat-trick strike and wrapped up the contest when he headed a fourth 10 minutes later.
Substitute Anthony Hargeaves made it five and Matty Taylor completed the scoring from the penalty spot.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Reds get a Warning
Reds get a warning
By Liam Chronnell
Source: The Bolton News
FC United boss Karl Marginson has urged his players to fight fire with fire as they chase their first win of the UniBond League Division One North season.
After seeing the Gigg Laners lose their opening two games, the Rebels entertain Bridlington tomorrow searching for their first points of the campaign.
"You learn a lot more in defeat," said Marginson, who has been disappointed with the theatrics displayed in newly-promoted FC's new environment.
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"I think a lot of the players watch too much Premier League football on television because of the theatrics that go on, with the amount of pestering to the referees.
"I just want my players to do their jobs and be honest, but we'll fight fire with fire when we need to."
Striker Rory Patterson is expected to be sidelined with a foot injury.
Radcliffe Boro are also looking for their first point of the season when they host Lancaster City at Stainton Park.
Boro have been made to pay for defensive lapses in defeats against Wakefield and Rossendale, and will still be without summer signing Mike Flynn.
"We are playing well, but we need to learn how to deal with pressure when it comes," said coach Kevin Glendon. "We can't afford to bring anyone in without moving someone out so we have to get on with it.
"Michael Oates and Ian Fitzpatrick played well up-front in mid-week and it would be nice if they could keep that partnership going."
By Liam Chronnell
Source: The Bolton News
FC United boss Karl Marginson has urged his players to fight fire with fire as they chase their first win of the UniBond League Division One North season.
After seeing the Gigg Laners lose their opening two games, the Rebels entertain Bridlington tomorrow searching for their first points of the campaign.
"You learn a lot more in defeat," said Marginson, who has been disappointed with the theatrics displayed in newly-promoted FC's new environment.
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"I think a lot of the players watch too much Premier League football on television because of the theatrics that go on, with the amount of pestering to the referees.
"I just want my players to do their jobs and be honest, but we'll fight fire with fire when we need to."
Striker Rory Patterson is expected to be sidelined with a foot injury.
Radcliffe Boro are also looking for their first point of the season when they host Lancaster City at Stainton Park.
Boro have been made to pay for defensive lapses in defeats against Wakefield and Rossendale, and will still be without summer signing Mike Flynn.
"We are playing well, but we need to learn how to deal with pressure when it comes," said coach Kevin Glendon. "We can't afford to bring anyone in without moving someone out so we have to get on with it.
"Michael Oates and Ian Fitzpatrick played well up-front in mid-week and it would be nice if they could keep that partnership going."
FC United 0 Garforth Town 1
Source: Manchester Evening News
RETURNING FC United striker Stuart Rudd was sent-off as his side's poor start to the season continued with defeat at the hands of Garforth Town.
The Reds hit the bar and had a goal disallowed for off-side in the final minute but the visitors hung on for victory in front of 2,216 fans at Gigg Lane.
Before his sending off, following an innocuous-looking incident, Rudd had already headed wide just after half-time and then fired past the post soon afterwards.
But as the rebel Reds pressed forward in search of an opening goal, the visitors suddenly broke away and midfielder Chris Kamara netted from close-range to the delight of the 60 strong travelling army.
FC United substitute Chris Bagguley fired a 30 yard free-kick just wide as the Reds went in search of an equaliser and Rob Nugent then hit the bar with a header before Simon Carden's strike was ruled out in the last minute.
However, despite that pressure the visitors held on and the result leaves FC pointless after two games.
RETURNING FC United striker Stuart Rudd was sent-off as his side's poor start to the season continued with defeat at the hands of Garforth Town.
The Reds hit the bar and had a goal disallowed for off-side in the final minute but the visitors hung on for victory in front of 2,216 fans at Gigg Lane.
Before his sending off, following an innocuous-looking incident, Rudd had already headed wide just after half-time and then fired past the post soon afterwards.
But as the rebel Reds pressed forward in search of an opening goal, the visitors suddenly broke away and midfielder Chris Kamara netted from close-range to the delight of the 60 strong travelling army.
FC United substitute Chris Bagguley fired a 30 yard free-kick just wide as the Reds went in search of an equaliser and Rob Nugent then hit the bar with a header before Simon Carden's strike was ruled out in the last minute.
However, despite that pressure the visitors held on and the result leaves FC pointless after two games.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Rebe Reds suffer another setback
Rebel Reds suffer another setback
By Liam Chronnell
Source: The Bolton News
FC United's disastrous start to the new season continued as they went down narrowly at home to Garforth Town.
After back-to-back title-winning seasons, the breakaway club have now lost the opening two games of the Unibond League First Division campaign.
The visitors' Chris Kamara scored the only goal of the game after the break to cap a miserable night for Karl Marginson's side.
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FC's problems began in the first half when star striker Rory Patterson limped off with a suspected hairline fracture of the foot and is set to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The Rebels then fell behind midway through the second half and their problems worsened five minutes later when top scorer Stuart Rudd, who made an unexpected early return from a broken hand, was shown a straight red card.
The home side still piled forward in search of an equaliser and were unlucky when first Rob Nugent hit the crossbar in the last minute then Simon Carden thought he had grabbed a late leveller only to see his effort disallowed.
By Liam Chronnell
Source: The Bolton News
FC United's disastrous start to the new season continued as they went down narrowly at home to Garforth Town.
After back-to-back title-winning seasons, the breakaway club have now lost the opening two games of the Unibond League First Division campaign.
The visitors' Chris Kamara scored the only goal of the game after the break to cap a miserable night for Karl Marginson's side.
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FC's problems began in the first half when star striker Rory Patterson limped off with a suspected hairline fracture of the foot and is set to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The Rebels then fell behind midway through the second half and their problems worsened five minutes later when top scorer Stuart Rudd, who made an unexpected early return from a broken hand, was shown a straight red card.
The home side still piled forward in search of an equaliser and were unlucky when first Rob Nugent hit the crossbar in the last minute then Simon Carden thought he had grabbed a late leveller only to see his effort disallowed.
FC United stumble on opening day
Source: Bury Times
By Liam Chronnell
Lancaster City 2 FC United 1
BOSS Karl Marginson is remaining upbeat despite FC United's opening-day defeat at Lancaster City.
After back-to-back promotions, the breakaway club received an early reminder that they will not be having all their own way in UniBond League Division One North as they went down 2-1 at the Giant Axe.
But Marginson, who side were back in action against Garforth Town at Gigg Lane last night, is not unduly concerned.
"We are upbeat and positive," he said. "The league isn't won or lost on the first day of the season.
"Against Lancaster, we prepared right and have done all the little things that you should do right. It was just one of those days when we couldn't force a goal."
The visitors found themselves a goal down after Lancaster's Ian Stevens headed home three minutes before half-time. Substitute Jimmy Love sealed the game for newly-relegated City in the last minute, though there was still time for Jerome Wright to pull back a late consolation.
Marginson's men entertain Bridlington Town on Saturday, but they will still be without last season's top scorer, Stuart Rudd, who is expected to be sidelined for a further two weeks with a broken hand.
By Liam Chronnell
Lancaster City 2 FC United 1
BOSS Karl Marginson is remaining upbeat despite FC United's opening-day defeat at Lancaster City.
After back-to-back promotions, the breakaway club received an early reminder that they will not be having all their own way in UniBond League Division One North as they went down 2-1 at the Giant Axe.
But Marginson, who side were back in action against Garforth Town at Gigg Lane last night, is not unduly concerned.
"We are upbeat and positive," he said. "The league isn't won or lost on the first day of the season.
"Against Lancaster, we prepared right and have done all the little things that you should do right. It was just one of those days when we couldn't force a goal."
The visitors found themselves a goal down after Lancaster's Ian Stevens headed home three minutes before half-time. Substitute Jimmy Love sealed the game for newly-relegated City in the last minute, though there was still time for Jerome Wright to pull back a late consolation.
Marginson's men entertain Bridlington Town on Saturday, but they will still be without last season's top scorer, Stuart Rudd, who is expected to be sidelined for a further two weeks with a broken hand.
Rudd poised for return
Source: M.E.N.
FC UNITED hope to welcome back star striker Stuart Rudd for their first home game of the season in the UniBond First Division North against Garforth Town tonight (7.45pm).
The Reds suffered from a distinct lack of firepower as they lost their opener 2-1 at Lancaster City on Saturday and manager Karl Marginson is keen to get Rudd back into the fray as they seek their first points of the new campaign.
Last season's top scorer Rudd suffered a broken wrist in a domestic accident in July and was expected to miss the first two weeks of the season, but he has returned to his job as a bricklayer ahead of schedule.
Marginson said: "Rudd was a big miss for us on Saturday as we had a number of chances in the box that he would have thrived on.
"We will give him a late fitness test, but indications are he will return, which is obviously a big boost."
FC UNITED hope to welcome back star striker Stuart Rudd for their first home game of the season in the UniBond First Division North against Garforth Town tonight (7.45pm).
The Reds suffered from a distinct lack of firepower as they lost their opener 2-1 at Lancaster City on Saturday and manager Karl Marginson is keen to get Rudd back into the fray as they seek their first points of the new campaign.
Last season's top scorer Rudd suffered a broken wrist in a domestic accident in July and was expected to miss the first two weeks of the season, but he has returned to his job as a bricklayer ahead of schedule.
Marginson said: "Rudd was a big miss for us on Saturday as we had a number of chances in the box that he would have thrived on.
"We will give him a late fitness test, but indications are he will return, which is obviously a big boost."
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