Albion surrender to ex-Factor

FC United 5 Witton 3

7:49pm Saturday 4th October 2008

By Andrew Simpson
KYLE Wilson returned to haunt his old club as Witton were handed a hiding.

The UniBond Premier Division's top scorer bagged a brace inside the opening five minutes - a feat matched by teammate Chris Baguley - as the hosts romped into a 4-0 lead.

Lee Thompson reduced Albion's arrears before Jerome Wright restored the Rebels' four-goal cushion shortly after the hour mark.

Thompson became the third player to net a double to make it 5-2 before Rod Thornley added another consolation in stoppage time.

Witton have now lost half their league matches this term, a statistic that leaves them in 16th place.

Kyle can cut it, says Deeley

2:34pm Friday 3rd October 2008

By Andrew Simpson

WITTON should be wary of a familiar face tomorrow, according to manager Nigel Deeley.

His Albion side line up against former forward Kyle Wilson, a player that currently tops the UniBond Premier Division scorers’ chart after netting 11 times in league and cup so far this season.

“We’ve got to keep him quiet,” said Deeley.

“I know a few Witton supporters were not taken by him last season when he came here but I know he’s a good player.

“I even asked him to come here to do pre-season with us before he signed for FC United.”

Wilson was released by former Witton manager Jim Vince after scoring four goals in seven starts over Christmas.

He lead a Rebels attack that has netted seven goals in their past three games.

Deeley has backed his players to shine against the league new boys tomorrow, Saturday, in front of a four-figure crowd.

“Bring it on,” said the Albion boss.

“It’s a fixture everybody looked out for in the summer because of the support they have and the atmosphere at their matches.

“I also feel it has come at the right time for us as they’ve not been as potent as they might have expected since coming into this division.”

The Rebels ran out 4-0 winners at Ossett in their last match, but before that were winless in the previous five.

Albion make the short trip following a midweek FA Cup exit at the hands of Gateshead but their performance, particularly before the break, is cause for optimism.

Deeley has a full squad to pick from – except long-term absentees Mattone Awang and Kieran Lugsden – including skipper Brian Pritchard who returns from an Achilles injury.

Kick off is 3pm.

Marginson plays it safe

3/10/2008

FC UNITED chief Karl Marginson says he's likely to stick with the team which thrashed Ossett Town 4-0 at home to Witton.

But full-back Liam Foster is pressing for a place on the subs' bench after recovering from a foot problem which has sidelined him for the last half-dozen games.

FC will be eager to build on the Ossett rout but will be wary of a Witton side who, despite lying just below them in 14th place, are showing signs of a revival.

Fixture famine ends for FC United

10:10am Friday 3rd October 2008

By Staff Sports Reporter

FC United fans are likely to make the most of a chance to see some football at Gigg Lane tomorrow with the UniBond Premier Division game against Witton Albion coming in the middle of a fixture famine.

The Rebels were laid off last weekend after being knocked out of the FA Cup and have had their next two fixtures – against Leigh Genesis and Frickley Athletic – postponed.

Manager Karl Marginson has no new selection problems ahead of the Witton clash in which he hopes his players can maintain the form they showed in beating Ossett Town 4-0 last time out.

King hails rebels uprising

4:18pm Wednesday 1st October 2008

By Liam Chronnell

MANCHESTER United legend Eric Cantona has lavished praise on FC United.

The colourful Frenchman has been impressed by the breakaway club’s achievements since they were formed by United fans opposed to Malcolm Glazer’s takover of the Premier League giants in 2005.

And now “The King” hopes the Gigg Lane tenants can go on to become European Champions one day.

“They have a great idea,” said Cantona. “I hope they will become a great club and win the European Cup in 50 years’ time.”

Rebels boss Karl Marginson says Cantona’s backing has provided a massive boost to the UniBond Premier League outfit.

His side entertain Witton Albion on Saturday after a 10-day break following a free weekend after being knocked out of the FA Cup.

But, with Cantona’s words of encouragement ringing in the players’ ears, Marginson is confident his side can return to action with victory.

“It’s amazing what he has said and I’m sure it will give us a boost,” he said.

“I met him a bit ago when he was in Manchester filming his new movie ‘Looking for Eric’ and he was talking about FC and he knew all about us and that we’d been doing well.

“It just shows what a man of principles he is and how much he cares about United.”

He added: “Witton will be a tough game and we will need to be at our best, but if we can build on the performance against Ossett (a 4-0 win) in our last game then we will be fine.”

FC, who have no new injury worries, face another enforced rest following Saturday’s clash after the club’s next two fixtures against Leigh Genesis and Frickley Athletic were postponed.

FC Book Aids Stadium Search

by Hayley Thorpe

Sunday, September 28, 2008

FC UNITED fan Steven Wood is hoping his new book on the club will help them in their ambition to secure a ground of their own.

The UniBond Premier team currently play at Bury’s Gigg Lane, but are keen to move to their own home.

His book, Trips On Glue, will raise money for the club’s development fund.

The book is his diary of last season’s matches starting with the pre-season game at Studley right through to the play-off final win against Skelmersdale.

The book also features off the field events and an insight into what it is like to follow FC United.

The book can be purchased on matchdays or from www.tripsonglue.co.uk. The cost is £10.

Eric Cantona fears for Manchester United’s future after Sir Alex Ferguson

Observing United’s unconvincing start to the defence of both their Premier League and Champions League titles, the Frenchman has expressed concern over the destabilising effect of United eventually losing the most successful manager in their history.

The unpopular arrival of the Glazer family saddled the club with around £600 million of debt and has seen United’s ticket prices, previously some of the most competitively priced in the Premier League, rise year-on-year.

Though the Americans’ involvement has allowed Ferguson to build another championship winning squad, Cantona believes that it is only the Scotsman’s experienced hand that is keeping United challenging in domestic and European competition.

“I can understand why the fans are concerned,” said the former United player.

“The philosophy of the club will never change while Alex Ferguson is at the club. After he leaves . . . that’s what makes me worry.

“Ferguson is so strong, so popular, he can control everything. For the moment nothing has changed there — apart from in an economic way.

“I’m worried about the future. I hope that things will not change.”

Cantona also pledged his support for FC United, the club founded by disaffected supporters who bitterly fought against the Glazer takeover.

“They have a great idea,” said Cantona. “I hope they will become a great club and win the European Cup in 50 years’ time.

“Every club has to be created at one point. Now I am interested in the people who create clubs. Which type of people created Manchester United or Manchester City?”

If our time is money then these guys are loaded!

Exclusive by Richard Rattan

Nonleague Today
21.09.08

(No on-line content)

FC United's live web radio service FCUM TV have become football's latest millionaires.

While the station's commentators haven't joined the stars at Old Trafford or the City of Manchester Stadium in receiving bumper pay packets, the group of Rebels-mad volunteers, who run the service on a shoestring, logged their millionth minute listening time during last week's tight 1-1 draw in the FA Cup at Nantwich.

NonLeague's own broadcasting show heroes were back at Gigg Lane on Wednesday night for the replay, broadcasting live to a worldwide audience as FC United went down 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller.

While FCUM TV director avid Rebels supporter Mike Kerwin felt "gutted" by the defeat, he takes great pride in what the three-year-old broadcasting service has achieved so far.

Kerwin, who masterminds the operation from the headquarters of "Box", his computer graphics and post-production company in Manchester city centre, said: "People can listen to all our games live whether we are playing home or away. They can also watch video highlights of all our home games on our website.

"We have people listening to our commentaries on their computers and laptops all round the world. I can't even tell you the number of countries where our broadcasts are picked up.

"The reason why we started this is because we were all Manchester United fans and were used to first-class media coverage. There are 14 of us involved. We're multi-disciplined and we'd love to see other clubs in Non- League try and develop a service like ours. If anyone wants to contact us we'd be delighted to them how to broadcast.

"We've even been pacesetters in online broadcasting. It was us who introduced the chatroom during live commentaries. The BBC brought in live texts during games six months later."

Kerwin admitted that the FCUM TV commentators, which include Keith "Keg" Johnson, Brian "Seamus" Hancock and Steve "Swampy" Bennett, avoid the kind of pre-rehearsed phraseology and pomposity which has listeners and viewers of the main stream channels reaching for the off button.

FC go to Town

25/ 9/2008

FC UNITED returned to winning ways in style with a 4-0 hammering of Ossett Town on Tuesday night.

Kyle Wilson and Carlos Roca, paired up front in a much changed side, both scored a brace of goals to give the reds a much needed victory.

United had gone five games without a win and had slumped to 17th spot in the UniBond Premier League table but they were quickly into their stride on an autumnal evening in Yorkshire.

Roca started brightly and his constant running was rewarded when he cut in to score a fortuitous opener via a deflection.

Many FC fans were concerned by the exit of lethal finisher Rory Patterson to Bradford in the summer but Wilson has excelled in his place to become the league’s top scorer.

It was another fine performance from him on Tuesday and his first goal was exquisitely taken after he had beaten the off-side trap to slot home.

The reds continued to attack at will and the home side had no answer.

Roca scored what he thought was his second only for the linesman to rule him off-side. He was not to be denied in the second half though as he scored what is arguably FC’s goal of the season to date with a rasping drive into the top corner.

Wilson added his second goal from a penalty after earning the spot kick himself and the points were United’s.

The win was welcome fillip following FC’s drab 0-0 draw with Worksop at Gigg Lane on Saturday.

FC do not play this weekend due to them being out of the FA Cup.

Ossett Town 0 FC United 4

3:54pm Wednesday 24th September 2008

By Lesley Richards

FC United ended their five-game winless streak in style with a convincing victory at Ossett Town on Tuesday night.

Carlos Roca and Kyle Wilson struck twice each as the Rebels bounced back from FA Cup disappointment to secure their first league win since August 30.

Karl Marginson shared a goalless draw with Worksop at Gigg Lane on Saturday – three days after losing their midweek home replay 4-3 against Nantwich Town.

But United hit back at Ossett with a superb all-round team display.

Roca’s deflected effort – his first goal for the club since joining from Altrincham – handed the visitors a 10th-minute lead and the prolific Wilson doubled their advantage on 33 minutes with his 10th goal of the season.

Roca’s effort before half-time was ruled out for offside but he added his second, and FC’s third, with a 25-yard blockbuster on 83 minutes.

And Wilson completed the rout two minutes later when he struck a fourth from the penalty spot after the league’s top-scorer had been bundled over in the area to seal a first victory in six games – and third clean sheet in four games.

The Rebels have no game at the weekend following their FA Cup exit and return to action at home to Witton Albion on October 4.