Manchester United's fans have been warned they must hit the club’s American owners in the pocket if they are to force a change of ownership at Old Trafford.
Andy Walsh, who helped to launch FC United in response to Malcolm Glazer’s buy-out in 2005, believes the champions have reached another pivotal point in their history. Walsh senses United’s rank-and-file supporters have reached breaking point, with the club being strangled by the kind of debts he once predicted.
The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust have orchestrated a Green and Gold campaign that harks back to United’s formative years as Newton Heath – and have seen their membership pass the 45,000 mark. And Walsh, who has never stepped inside Old Trafford since the takeover, said: “I said when the Glazers took over at United I wouldn’t give the club another penny – and I haven’t.
“I was not prepared to line the pockets of people who planned to do nothing more than pillage the club I love.
“I wasn’t the only one. Some of us helped to establish and support FC United, others just went to the pub to watch United matches and the money they used to spend on tickets was spent on buying a few pints instead.
“Fans who had been unable to buy tickets in the past took our places, but even that pool of support is drying up.
“One thing missing from the Glazers’ prospectus when they were looking to raise a £500m bond was that United now have 58,000 season-ticket holders. Last season it was 65,000. It’s been widely reported hospitality bookings are down, you can see empty seats inside Old Trafford – and that hits the Glazers.
“If people don’t renew this summer the owners’ business plan will really struggle.
“The match-going supporters have to take advantage by hitting them in the pocket – and I know some fans are talking about that as the next stage of the campaign.”
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Manchester United fans to boycott season tickets as anti-Glazer green-and-gold campaign grows
Source: Mail on Sunday
By Joe Bernstein
Last updated at 10:52 AM on 07th February 2010
Manchester United fans are planning a boycott of season tickets in the summer to try to force the Glazer family out of Old Trafford.
Thousands of supporters hope hitting the owners in the pocket will persuade them to leave after putting the club more than £700million in debt.
The anti-Glazer campaign has already attracted wide publicity, with fans wearing the original green-and-gold worn when the club was founded as Newton Heath in 1878.
It was stepped up yesterday when the Manchester United Supporters Trust distributed 70,000 cards to fans in a recruiting drive on the 52nd anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster, and five years to the day the Glazers first tabled a bid to buy the club.
Manchester United
Sign language: Manchester United fans make their feelings known
A protest that denied the Glazers much-needed revenue could have a serious impact on the financial running of the club and the future of Sir Alex Ferguson.
United have already seen season-ticket sales fall from 65,000 to 58,000 this season due to the economic climate and they can ill-afford any further downturn.
Last month, the Glazers had to raise £500m in a bond issue to help repay hedge fund loans they took to buy the club. Fans were alarmed that the bond prospectus allowed the Glazers to transfer £127m into their parent company in the first year.
And there is concern only a small part of the worldrecord £80m transfer received for Cristiano Ronaldo last summer has been invested in new players.
Having previously been staunchly supportive of the Americans, Ferguson has expressed sympathy with protestors in his recent programme notes.
The Glazers at the Emirates Stadium for the Arsenal v Manchester United semi final 2nd leg Champions league match.
Under fire: The Glazers at the Emirates Stadium for United's game against Arsenal
FC United general manager Andy Walsh, who was vilified by many Old Trafford fans when the breakaway club was formed in 2005 as a protest against the Glazer takeover, has said he is aware of major protests being planned by United supporters’ groups.
He said: ‘It is only now, after the true state was laid bare in the prospectus to raise the £500m bond, that the fans have taken the veil from their eyes.
‘We’ve had many people apologising to us. There is a plan to step up the campaign and hitting the Glazers in the pocket as the next phase.
‘The green and gold campaign has focused people’s attention but there is an understanding it won’t work on its own. A boycott will hit the Glazers because their business plan relied on them cranking up ticket prices and extracting more cash from supporters.’
By Joe Bernstein
Last updated at 10:52 AM on 07th February 2010
Manchester United fans are planning a boycott of season tickets in the summer to try to force the Glazer family out of Old Trafford.
Thousands of supporters hope hitting the owners in the pocket will persuade them to leave after putting the club more than £700million in debt.
The anti-Glazer campaign has already attracted wide publicity, with fans wearing the original green-and-gold worn when the club was founded as Newton Heath in 1878.
It was stepped up yesterday when the Manchester United Supporters Trust distributed 70,000 cards to fans in a recruiting drive on the 52nd anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster, and five years to the day the Glazers first tabled a bid to buy the club.
Manchester United
Sign language: Manchester United fans make their feelings known
A protest that denied the Glazers much-needed revenue could have a serious impact on the financial running of the club and the future of Sir Alex Ferguson.
United have already seen season-ticket sales fall from 65,000 to 58,000 this season due to the economic climate and they can ill-afford any further downturn.
Last month, the Glazers had to raise £500m in a bond issue to help repay hedge fund loans they took to buy the club. Fans were alarmed that the bond prospectus allowed the Glazers to transfer £127m into their parent company in the first year.
And there is concern only a small part of the worldrecord £80m transfer received for Cristiano Ronaldo last summer has been invested in new players.
Having previously been staunchly supportive of the Americans, Ferguson has expressed sympathy with protestors in his recent programme notes.
The Glazers at the Emirates Stadium for the Arsenal v Manchester United semi final 2nd leg Champions league match.
Under fire: The Glazers at the Emirates Stadium for United's game against Arsenal
FC United general manager Andy Walsh, who was vilified by many Old Trafford fans when the breakaway club was formed in 2005 as a protest against the Glazer takeover, has said he is aware of major protests being planned by United supporters’ groups.
He said: ‘It is only now, after the true state was laid bare in the prospectus to raise the £500m bond, that the fans have taken the veil from their eyes.
‘We’ve had many people apologising to us. There is a plan to step up the campaign and hitting the Glazers in the pocket as the next phase.
‘The green and gold campaign has focused people’s attention but there is an understanding it won’t work on its own. A boycott will hit the Glazers because their business plan relied on them cranking up ticket prices and extracting more cash from supporters.’
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Nantwich 1 FC United 6
Source: Manchester Evening News
Sam Williams
February 06, 2010
A vintage performance from FC United saw them cruise to a 6-1 victory at Nantwich on Saturday.
Kyle Wilson scored a superb hat-trick as the Rebels produced their best display of the season to record their second Unibond Premier League win in a row.
FC opened the scoring after just five minutes when Wilson latched on to Adam Tong’s through ball and netted his first goal since returning to the club last month.
The home side drew level through striker Michael Lennon 10 minutes in but FC continued to dominate proceedings and deservedly re-took the lead in the 23rd minute when Wilson grabbed his second of the afternoon with a classy finish.
Simon Carden then increased FC’s lead on 37 minutes to make it 3-1 at the break and Ben Deegan added a fourth just after half time.
Ludovic Quistin was dismissed for a second bookable offence mid way through the second period but FC’s ten men were still too good for their hosts and Jerome Wright rounded off an excellent team move to make it 5-1 in the 72nd minute.
Wilson then completed his treble with an unerring left-footed finish 10 minutes from time to give the Rebels their biggest win of the campaign.
Sam Williams
February 06, 2010
A vintage performance from FC United saw them cruise to a 6-1 victory at Nantwich on Saturday.
Kyle Wilson scored a superb hat-trick as the Rebels produced their best display of the season to record their second Unibond Premier League win in a row.
FC opened the scoring after just five minutes when Wilson latched on to Adam Tong’s through ball and netted his first goal since returning to the club last month.
The home side drew level through striker Michael Lennon 10 minutes in but FC continued to dominate proceedings and deservedly re-took the lead in the 23rd minute when Wilson grabbed his second of the afternoon with a classy finish.
Simon Carden then increased FC’s lead on 37 minutes to make it 3-1 at the break and Ben Deegan added a fourth just after half time.
Ludovic Quistin was dismissed for a second bookable offence mid way through the second period but FC’s ten men were still too good for their hosts and Jerome Wright rounded off an excellent team move to make it 5-1 in the 72nd minute.
Wilson then completed his treble with an unerring left-footed finish 10 minutes from time to give the Rebels their biggest win of the campaign.
Friday, February 05, 2010
fcstpauli100.com
Source: fcstpauli100.com
Am 15. Mai kehren Legenden zurück ans Millerntor. Mit einer All-Star-Mannschaft, bestehend aus einigen der besten Spieler aus dem letzen und dem aktuellen Jahr100, tritt der FC St. Pauli gegen FC United of Manchester an. 2005 gründeten Fans von Manchester United den Club aus Protest gegen die Übernahme von Manchester United durch Malcolm Glazer. Thematisch wollen wir mit dem Spiel auf die immer stärker werdende Kommerzialisierung des Fußballsports aufmerksam machen, als auch das die beiden Fanszenen verbindende antirassistischen Engagement unterstreichen.
Google translation:
On 15 May return to the legends Millerntor. With an all-star team, consisting of some of the best players from the past and the current Jahr100 occurs in the FC St. Pauli v FC United of Manchester. Fans of Manchester United in 2005 founded the club in protest against the takeover of Manchester United by Malcolm Glazer. Thematically, we call attention to the game to the ever-increasing commercialization of football, but also emphasize the fan scenes linking the two anti-racist commitment.
Non-league preview
Edited from Manchester Evening News
...
Adriano Rigoglioso says the lure of playing for FC United was too much to resist - despite being offered more money to go elsewhere.
The ex-Doncaster midfielder signed for the Rebels from Colwyn Bay over Christmas, and already feels at home at Gigg Lane.
“This is a unique club and any player would want to play here,” said Rigoglioso.
“The fans are unbelievable and the facilities are second to none - it’s like a professional club really.
“I could have gone to other clubs for a bit more money but it’s important to me to feel comfortable in my surroundings and opportunities like
this don’t come round very often.”
The 30-year-old has also been impressed with his team-mates, and believes the club’s future, in both the short and long term, is bright.
“There’s a lot of quality in our team, and the lads have been very welcoming,” he said.
“The play-offs have to be our aim this season and we want to kick-on now and push up the league.
“This club wants to get promoted every season and our fan base is frightening - that’s definitely a recipe for success.”
FC travel to Nantwich on Saturday (3pm) looking to record back-to-back wins in the Unibond Premier League for the first time since early October.
...
Adriano Rigoglioso says the lure of playing for FC United was too much to resist - despite being offered more money to go elsewhere.
The ex-Doncaster midfielder signed for the Rebels from Colwyn Bay over Christmas, and already feels at home at Gigg Lane.
“This is a unique club and any player would want to play here,” said Rigoglioso.
“The fans are unbelievable and the facilities are second to none - it’s like a professional club really.
“I could have gone to other clubs for a bit more money but it’s important to me to feel comfortable in my surroundings and opportunities like
this don’t come round very often.”
The 30-year-old has also been impressed with his team-mates, and believes the club’s future, in both the short and long term, is bright.
“There’s a lot of quality in our team, and the lads have been very welcoming,” he said.
“The play-offs have to be our aim this season and we want to kick-on now and push up the league.
“This club wants to get promoted every season and our fan base is frightening - that’s definitely a recipe for success.”
FC travel to Nantwich on Saturday (3pm) looking to record back-to-back wins in the Unibond Premier League for the first time since early October.
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Could FC go back to United’s roots?
Source: North East Manchester Advertiser
Paul Maher
February 04, 2010
The rebel football club FC United of Manchester has been urged to build its planned new stadium in Newton Heath.
The club is hoping to unveil plans for a 4,000-seater ground within the next few months and Newton Heath – the area which spawned Manchester United – is seen by some fans as the romantic option.
Formed by breakaway Manchester United fans, in protest to the Glazers’ takeover of the Old Trafford club in 2005, the Red Rebels are currently ground-sharing Bury FC’s Gigg Lane stadium.
However, despite attracting average crowds of more than 2,000 per match, the financial burden of using the Bury ground has forced FC United to pursue its dream of finding its own hallowed turf with earnest.
The club is currently in talks with Manchester Council over a number of potential sites but councillor John Flanagan believes the club shouldn’t look any further than Newton Heath.
"We would certainly welcome FC United putting a stadium in Newton Heath," he said. "I know they have been looking at where United used to play when they were in Newton Heath and it would be good to bring that land back into use.
"FC United have a record of working with schools and the local community and that is the sort of club we would want here."
He added: "It would be good news, not just for the community, but the local economy.
"There is a lot of investment coming into the area. If the stadium is built it will be on a brownfield site and will bring that back into use.
"A lot of things have been clicking into place in Newton Heath in the last year and if FC United can fit into that jigsaw it’ll be fantastic. The club has the potential to grow and grow and it’ll will no doubt bring some jobs to the area."
The club itself is playing its cards close to its chest over the sites being considered. Officials say the new ground will include community facilities and that they are is optimistic an announcement is close.
FC United general manager Andy Walsh said: "We’re at quite an advanced stage. We are in discussions with the council and looking at a few sites but can’t be any more specific than that. We want to find a site that is best for the city, for ourselves and residents."
He added: "We are not at liberty to say yeah or neah over any sites. It is a matter of record that we are talking to the council but with the economic climate the feasibility of certain sites drop in and drop out.
"We’re hoping in the next few months that with the council that we can make an announcement."
A council spokesman said: "It is the council’s policy not to comment on any pre-application discussions."
Durham City 1 FC United 2
Source: Bury Times
11:10am Thursday 4th February 2010
By Staff Sports Reporter »
FC United will look to continue to move clear of UniBond League Premier Division relegation worries when they travel to Nantwich Town on Saturday.
The struggling Rebels, who played Ashton United at Gigg Lane last night, moved seven points clear of the drop zone with a 2-1 victory at basement club Durham City.
Second-half goals from Joseph Yoffe and Phil Marsh proved enough for United, but it was a far from convincing display against a side who have lost all 22 of their league matches this season, conceding 110 goals in the process. Carl Heiniger added a consolation for Durham in the fourth minute of injury time.
Defender Adam Tong will be leaving the club in March to pursue a career in Australia.
11:10am Thursday 4th February 2010
By Staff Sports Reporter »
FC United will look to continue to move clear of UniBond League Premier Division relegation worries when they travel to Nantwich Town on Saturday.
The struggling Rebels, who played Ashton United at Gigg Lane last night, moved seven points clear of the drop zone with a 2-1 victory at basement club Durham City.
Second-half goals from Joseph Yoffe and Phil Marsh proved enough for United, but it was a far from convincing display against a side who have lost all 22 of their league matches this season, conceding 110 goals in the process. Carl Heiniger added a consolation for Durham in the fourth minute of injury time.
Defender Adam Tong will be leaving the club in March to pursue a career in Australia.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
College to offer rising stars a sporting chance
Source: The Bolton News
10:30am Wednesday 3rd February 2010
ASPIRING young sportsmen whose hopes of joining professional clubs have been dented, could still realise their dreams of playing at a high standard, thanks to a new initiative at Bolton Sixth Form College.
When the college’s new town centre campus opens in September, three sporting academies — boys football, girls football and cricket — will be run in conjunction with standard A-level and BTEC Diploma courses.
The new academies are designed to offer 16 to 18-year-olds a high level of academic tuition with the addition of quality coaching in their chosen sport and a high standard of competition in national leagues.
The college’s website claims the new academies will offer students “a fantastic opportunity to excel in sports where they already have a high level skill.”
The boys’ football academy, in particular, will give late developers and talented youngsters who have failed to secure places at professional clubs a chance to make the grade, while continuing their academic education.
A partnership has already been established with ambitious UniBond League club FC United of Manchester and local NW Counties League club Daisy Hill, who will host their home games in the Youth Football Conference at their New Sirs ground.
The girls’ football academy, which has already attracted 18 applications, will play in the British Colleges leagues.
The cricket academy, which has had its plans approved by the Lancashire Cricket Board, has forged links with clubs in the Bolton League and Bolton Association and aims to play its games on various local grounds.
Alan Tomlinson, who is developing the cricket programme and has not ruled out establishing a girls’ cricket academy, said: “We’ve met with the League and Association and the clubs were very positive towards the development of the academy.”
Craig Thomas, co-ordinator of the college’s football academy and part-time manager of Daisy Hill, says the football element of the new courses could even put talented young players back in the shop window.
“This is not about coming to the college just to play football or cricket, it’s about gaining a good education,” he explained.
“But students who gain places on the academies will be offered coaching to a very high level — with sessions on skill development, fitness, diet and video analysis — opportunities to gain coaching qualifications and, as far as football is concerned, will be playing at probably the best level available outside the professional game.
“The league they will play in — the Youth Football Conference — will put them up against academy teams from high grade clubs such as Burton Albion, Stalybridge Celtic and Farsley Celtic and is well-scouted by professional clubs.
“Bolton is a hotbed of football and cricket and the academies will be offering the best opportunity to get a really good education with a high quality of sport tuition on top.
“Students will come out with A-level qualifications or a BTec Diploma with their sporting talent and education developed to a high standard. The progression route could then be university football or American scholarships.”
Bolton Sixth Form College will hold its open evening on March 2 and trials for the football academy will be run in March and April.
Students requiring application forms for the academies can contact the sports department on 01204 486629 or email cthomas@bolton-sfc.ac.uk.
Details of all courses on offer are available on the college’s website www.bolton-sfc.ac.uk.
10:30am Wednesday 3rd February 2010
ASPIRING young sportsmen whose hopes of joining professional clubs have been dented, could still realise their dreams of playing at a high standard, thanks to a new initiative at Bolton Sixth Form College.
When the college’s new town centre campus opens in September, three sporting academies — boys football, girls football and cricket — will be run in conjunction with standard A-level and BTEC Diploma courses.
The new academies are designed to offer 16 to 18-year-olds a high level of academic tuition with the addition of quality coaching in their chosen sport and a high standard of competition in national leagues.
The college’s website claims the new academies will offer students “a fantastic opportunity to excel in sports where they already have a high level skill.”
The boys’ football academy, in particular, will give late developers and talented youngsters who have failed to secure places at professional clubs a chance to make the grade, while continuing their academic education.
A partnership has already been established with ambitious UniBond League club FC United of Manchester and local NW Counties League club Daisy Hill, who will host their home games in the Youth Football Conference at their New Sirs ground.
The girls’ football academy, which has already attracted 18 applications, will play in the British Colleges leagues.
The cricket academy, which has had its plans approved by the Lancashire Cricket Board, has forged links with clubs in the Bolton League and Bolton Association and aims to play its games on various local grounds.
Alan Tomlinson, who is developing the cricket programme and has not ruled out establishing a girls’ cricket academy, said: “We’ve met with the League and Association and the clubs were very positive towards the development of the academy.”
Craig Thomas, co-ordinator of the college’s football academy and part-time manager of Daisy Hill, says the football element of the new courses could even put talented young players back in the shop window.
“This is not about coming to the college just to play football or cricket, it’s about gaining a good education,” he explained.
“But students who gain places on the academies will be offered coaching to a very high level — with sessions on skill development, fitness, diet and video analysis — opportunities to gain coaching qualifications and, as far as football is concerned, will be playing at probably the best level available outside the professional game.
“The league they will play in — the Youth Football Conference — will put them up against academy teams from high grade clubs such as Burton Albion, Stalybridge Celtic and Farsley Celtic and is well-scouted by professional clubs.
“Bolton is a hotbed of football and cricket and the academies will be offering the best opportunity to get a really good education with a high quality of sport tuition on top.
“Students will come out with A-level qualifications or a BTec Diploma with their sporting talent and education developed to a high standard. The progression route could then be university football or American scholarships.”
Bolton Sixth Form College will hold its open evening on March 2 and trials for the football academy will be run in March and April.
Students requiring application forms for the academies can contact the sports department on 01204 486629 or email cthomas@bolton-sfc.ac.uk.
Details of all courses on offer are available on the college’s website www.bolton-sfc.ac.uk.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Narrow defeat for City
Source: Durham Times
4:53pm Tuesday 2nd February 2010
By Kevin Hewitt »
DURHAM CITY 1 - 2 FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER Despite two inches of overnight snow City were still able to play their first home game for seven weeks after players, officials and supporters worked tirelessly throughout Saturday morning to make the Esh Group Stadium surface fit for play.
Not the ideal preparation for the City side but they were nearly rewarded for all their efforts, both on and off the pitch, when they held the United side for the first fifty minutes before eventually going down by the odd goal in three.
Backed by more than 400 travelling supporters the Reds had the chance to take a fourth minute lead when Ludovic Quistin and Jerome Wright linked up down the left for the latter to whip in a low cross which Kyle Wilson was inches away from converting at the back post.
Minutes later it was Wilson again who was clear through on goal when a superbly timed tackle from centre-back Max Stoker robbed the striker of a scoring opportunity when he looked certain to score.
Despite the Reds territorial superiority some solid defending from a City side, showing no ill effects from their ten goal hammering away at Boston United a week earlier, prevented the visitors turning possession into scoring opportunities.
Indeed City should have taken the lead just after the half-hour when a pin point cross from Marc Hollingsworth was headed wide by Josh Home-Jackson when he really should have done better.
Phil Marsh had a late opportunity to put the visitors in front in first-half stoppage time but his free-kick from just outside the area failed to trouble Richard Heiniger in the City net.
The deadlock was eventually broken, five minutes after the break, when Marsh broke down the right to pick out a near post run by Joe Yoffe, whose side-foot effort looped over Heiniger and into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
Buoyed by the early second-half goal the Reds stepped up the pressure on City with a Wilson header on goal producing a tip over from Heiniger and Marsh ending a dangerous run, after taking on a long throw out from Sam Ashton, by firing wide.
Marsh finally made amends for his earlier misses when, on 77 minutes, a long ball from Jake Cottrell was only half cleared by the City defence, and he drilled a low shot past, the late moving Heiniger and into the bottom right-hand corner from fully 25 yards out.
The Reds continued to dominate the latter stages of the match and centre-back Rob Nugent had a header cleared off the line from a Wright corner while Heiniger had to be alive to smother a close-range effort from substitute Carlos Roca, who caused City a number of problems down the right-hand side before his cameo performance ended when he was replaced by Ben Deegan.
It was too little, too late but City eventually pulled a goal back in the fifth minute of stoppage time when City substitute Carl Heiniger stepped up to bend his free-kick over the Red’s wall and beyond Sam Ashton before finding the top-left hand corner.
A superb strike that denied the visitors their second successive clean sheet but it was to prove little more than a consolation for the City side as the referee blew for full-time almost immediately.
City showed a lot of character to come back from the mauling they received at Boston, just seven days earlier, and arguably should have been leading at the interval, but with City unable to muster any real firepower the Reds thoroughly deserved their victory.
4:53pm Tuesday 2nd February 2010
By Kevin Hewitt »
DURHAM CITY 1 - 2 FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER Despite two inches of overnight snow City were still able to play their first home game for seven weeks after players, officials and supporters worked tirelessly throughout Saturday morning to make the Esh Group Stadium surface fit for play.
Not the ideal preparation for the City side but they were nearly rewarded for all their efforts, both on and off the pitch, when they held the United side for the first fifty minutes before eventually going down by the odd goal in three.
Backed by more than 400 travelling supporters the Reds had the chance to take a fourth minute lead when Ludovic Quistin and Jerome Wright linked up down the left for the latter to whip in a low cross which Kyle Wilson was inches away from converting at the back post.
Minutes later it was Wilson again who was clear through on goal when a superbly timed tackle from centre-back Max Stoker robbed the striker of a scoring opportunity when he looked certain to score.
Despite the Reds territorial superiority some solid defending from a City side, showing no ill effects from their ten goal hammering away at Boston United a week earlier, prevented the visitors turning possession into scoring opportunities.
Indeed City should have taken the lead just after the half-hour when a pin point cross from Marc Hollingsworth was headed wide by Josh Home-Jackson when he really should have done better.
Phil Marsh had a late opportunity to put the visitors in front in first-half stoppage time but his free-kick from just outside the area failed to trouble Richard Heiniger in the City net.
The deadlock was eventually broken, five minutes after the break, when Marsh broke down the right to pick out a near post run by Joe Yoffe, whose side-foot effort looped over Heiniger and into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
Buoyed by the early second-half goal the Reds stepped up the pressure on City with a Wilson header on goal producing a tip over from Heiniger and Marsh ending a dangerous run, after taking on a long throw out from Sam Ashton, by firing wide.
Marsh finally made amends for his earlier misses when, on 77 minutes, a long ball from Jake Cottrell was only half cleared by the City defence, and he drilled a low shot past, the late moving Heiniger and into the bottom right-hand corner from fully 25 yards out.
The Reds continued to dominate the latter stages of the match and centre-back Rob Nugent had a header cleared off the line from a Wright corner while Heiniger had to be alive to smother a close-range effort from substitute Carlos Roca, who caused City a number of problems down the right-hand side before his cameo performance ended when he was replaced by Ben Deegan.
It was too little, too late but City eventually pulled a goal back in the fifth minute of stoppage time when City substitute Carl Heiniger stepped up to bend his free-kick over the Red’s wall and beyond Sam Ashton before finding the top-left hand corner.
A superb strike that denied the visitors their second successive clean sheet but it was to prove little more than a consolation for the City side as the referee blew for full-time almost immediately.
City showed a lot of character to come back from the mauling they received at Boston, just seven days earlier, and arguably should have been leading at the interval, but with City unable to muster any real firepower the Reds thoroughly deserved their victory.
Monday, February 01, 2010
Durham City’s young guns lose out to United
Source: Newcastle Evening Chronicle
Feb 1 2010 Evening Chronicle
DURHAM City were rewarded off the pitch, if not on it, after they pulled out all the stops to get their game against fans’ club FC United of Manchester on.
One of only two senior non-league games in the region to survive the overnight snowfall, Shildon was the other, cash-strapped City were rewarded at the turnstiles.
A bumper 606-strong crowd, three times the previous best this season, saw City’s young guns go down 2-1, but takings in the region of £4,000 softened the blow of yet another defeat.
Around 50 volunteers, including Durham players and officials, took part in the snow clearing operation, which lasted five hours.
Newcastle-based referee Darren Wellington, who had a good game in the middle, also got in on the act with a two-hour shift to make the pitch playable.
But the charity does not extend to the pitch, as Durham’s losing league run extended to 22 games.
The first half was goalless, though striker Josh Home-Jackson put an eight-yard free header wide from Marc Hollingsworth’s surging run and cross.
Durham manager Lee Collings said: “He should have scored and the goal would have given us something to defend and we could have been more compact and tight.
“We gifted FC United both goals and no-one grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. We didn’t get out of second gear and didn’t express ourselves or have a go.
“The players had lost a bit of belief after the hammering at Boston last week, though we kept going and were rewarded with a late goal.”
A poor Gareth Ayers pass just outside the City penalty area saw Joe Yoffe flick home Phil Marsh’s 50th-minute cross and then Marsh beat Richard Heiniger from distance late on to delight the 400-plus Reds support.
Heiniger’s brother, Carl, then powered home a 25-yard free kick in the sixth minute of injury time.
Feb 1 2010 Evening Chronicle
DURHAM City were rewarded off the pitch, if not on it, after they pulled out all the stops to get their game against fans’ club FC United of Manchester on.
One of only two senior non-league games in the region to survive the overnight snowfall, Shildon was the other, cash-strapped City were rewarded at the turnstiles.
A bumper 606-strong crowd, three times the previous best this season, saw City’s young guns go down 2-1, but takings in the region of £4,000 softened the blow of yet another defeat.
Around 50 volunteers, including Durham players and officials, took part in the snow clearing operation, which lasted five hours.
Newcastle-based referee Darren Wellington, who had a good game in the middle, also got in on the act with a two-hour shift to make the pitch playable.
But the charity does not extend to the pitch, as Durham’s losing league run extended to 22 games.
The first half was goalless, though striker Josh Home-Jackson put an eight-yard free header wide from Marc Hollingsworth’s surging run and cross.
Durham manager Lee Collings said: “He should have scored and the goal would have given us something to defend and we could have been more compact and tight.
“We gifted FC United both goals and no-one grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. We didn’t get out of second gear and didn’t express ourselves or have a go.
“The players had lost a bit of belief after the hammering at Boston last week, though we kept going and were rewarded with a late goal.”
A poor Gareth Ayers pass just outside the City penalty area saw Joe Yoffe flick home Phil Marsh’s 50th-minute cross and then Marsh beat Richard Heiniger from distance late on to delight the 400-plus Reds support.
Heiniger’s brother, Carl, then powered home a 25-yard free kick in the sixth minute of injury time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
