By Dale Haslam
On a landmark day in the history of FC United - a club whose fans are famed for making a huge racket wherever they go - it was the silence that rang out around the Tameside Stadium that spoke loudest.
In a well organised and brilliantly executed boycott, only 20 or so fans of the Bury-based outfit were visible among the 297 in attendance, with an estimated 1,500 refusing to trek to Ashton for the puzzling 12.45pm kick-off arranged at the whim of an internet television channel and without the approval of both clubs.
A few miles away at the home of Abbey Hey - just as captain Rob Nugent was powering home United's second, building on Simon Carden's first-half tap in - about 500 reds were watching the first-place reserves outfit beat nearest league rivals Club AZ.
It meant that for the first time in the club's short history, as the first-team shirts put on an impressive display on the field, there was no singing, no merriment, no smiling young faces or joy expressed off it.
The mood of the day was reminiscent of the emotional Sunday back in May 2005 when 100 or so Big United' fans dressed in black to mourn the loss of their club to current owner Malcolm Glazer, but those taking part will this time know that, unlike on that dismal Cardiff afternoon, they've won their battle.
The Curzon fans, who have seen their savvy team rise to the top of the table in a promising five months, seemed to have no problem with having the league puppet them about on their Saturday afternoon.
One middle-aged man queuing up for a much-needed steaming cup of coffee at half time seemed to sum up the apathy, or just downright stubbornness, of his fellow Curzon supporters.
"What's the point in staying away? It won't achieve anything. People need to realise it's not the 1960s anymore. You just have to get on with it," he said.
But, according to some of those who do have the power to change the status quo, that doesn't appear to be the case.
The magnitude of the boycott certainly seemed to home with today's grim-faced match commentator John Warrington, head of In Vision, who said he is confident such a situation will not be allowed to take place in future.
Speaking at half-time, he said: "It is hugely disappointing that the attendance is so low for everyone involved, especially Curzon Ashton, who have lost out on a big slice of revenue.
"When the board of FC United announced that they would be in favour of a boycott of this game, I was in Las Vegas and I was disappointed that Andy Walsh was not prepared to wait just one more day until I got back to discuss the issue with me so we could have talked it through."
He added: "As it is, I cannot see any club being shown more than once before the play-offs on a Saturday.
"But when there are concerns of the change of times, we will certainly be prepared to hold discussions with the league in order to find a solution."
Indeed, Mr Warrington admitted he did ask the league if they would move the fixture back to 3pm, with In Vision showing the game in full at 5pm. The league refused.
League secretary Phil Bradley was at today's game, but wasn't too prepared to make himself available for a comment. He left right on the final whistle.
Curzon chairman Harry Galloway said that, while he expected a low attendance, it was still a blow for his club to miss out on an estimated £10,000 windfall from a bumper attendance.
FC United of Manchester general secretary Lindsey Robertson, meanwhile, said she was delighted with the success of the boycott - and that, according to Mr Warrington, it could avoid kick-off times changing in future without agreement of the clubs involved.
She said: "It just shows how strongly the supporters feel about this matter. I know it is hard for them because they want to support the team, especially in such a big game, but it's important we stand up for what we believe in.
"If what has happened today provokes discussion about whether this will happen again, it has been worth it and it will show how essential it is for supporters to have a voice."
9:26am
31/12/2007
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
IN MY VIEW: CHERISH THE FANS, NOT TELEVISION
ANDY WALSH
(FC United general manager)
(No on-line content)
TELEVISION and football makes for a bittersweet relationship, the vast sums of money that TV companies are willing to pay for broadcasting matches reflects the popularity of the sport.
TV has helped lift the profile and exposure of the game to an all-time high - but there is a downside, with the match-going supporter left guessing on what day and at what time a match is to take place.
The Northern Premier League has struck a deal for showing matches over the Internet with specialist broadcaster lnvision.
The deal has been in place for a couple of years with clubs in the league benefiting from the odd game being shown on the web.
Without any warning or explanation, Invision and the league decided that this weekend was the right time to broadcast a live Saturday match.
UEFA rules debar matches being broadcast between 14:45 and 17:15 so a proposal was made to change the kick-off time to 12:45.
The chosen game was FC United of Manchester's away game at Curzon Ashton Both clubs objected to the change but the league imposed the decision regardless.
As new members of the league and aware of problems caused by TV deals elsewhere, FC United met with league officials in July to ask about details of the league's obligations to the TV company.
League officials gave assurances that games would not be moved for TV without the agreement of the competing clubs.
The league now denies that any assurances were given and have refused to discuss the matter further.
As a result of these assurances not being maintained and because the league ignored the express wishes of both clubs, the board of FC United reluctantly asked for supporters to attend the reserve fixture instead of going to the first team game.
As a members-owned club it is not surprising that supporters heeded the call, with 467 attending the reserve fixture and just a handful travelling to Curzon Ashton.
The stand taken by FC United's board has been criticised by some for being narrow-minded and interpreted as a failure to embrace the opportunity to gain the exposure offered by TV.
Nothing could be further from the truth. We are aware of how important TV is to the game; the publicity it generates and the cash revenues are vital ingredients.
Our objection is that assurances we believe we were given have been reneged upon and that the league has failed to explain why it was necessary to inconvenience supporters.
The evaporation of these assurances follows a similar pattern to the broken promises made when the top flight started to have more games televised.
One thousand supporters attending a game at our level will generate in the region of £10,000 through gate revenue, catering, bar spend etc.
This income needs to be protected and built upon not risked in pursuit of an as yet unproven Internet audience.
Supporters of our club travel in numbers; they are embraced by some, viewed with suspicion by others and seen as ripe for exploitation by a few.
When we left the North West Counties League, one league official, who opposed our acceptance two years previously, explained that he had a change of heart and recognised the benefit our supporters had brought to clubs in the league, generating 1250,000 a season for member clubs and the same again for the pubs and takeaways around the region.
In chasing a greater exposure for the Non-League game, our administrators need to be careful not to lose the existing audience with a disruption to kick-offs experienced higher up the Pyramid. Non-League clubs struggle to attract enough spectators through the gate so the exposure offered by TV is attractive and the numbers quoted for viewing figures can be seductive, but it is the fan that turns up week in, week out that should be cherished.
The match-going fan generates cash every week. The TV companies hope to raise revenue off the back of their coverage because advertisers wish to expose their Products to these supporters.
We are not burying our heads in the sand and recognise that some disruption to kick-off times is the inevitable price paid for the money given by the TV companies.
But the wishes of match-going fans must be paramount - otherwise what are we here for?
NLP Sunday, 30 December 2007
(FC United general manager)
(No on-line content)
TELEVISION and football makes for a bittersweet relationship, the vast sums of money that TV companies are willing to pay for broadcasting matches reflects the popularity of the sport.
TV has helped lift the profile and exposure of the game to an all-time high - but there is a downside, with the match-going supporter left guessing on what day and at what time a match is to take place.
The Northern Premier League has struck a deal for showing matches over the Internet with specialist broadcaster lnvision.
The deal has been in place for a couple of years with clubs in the league benefiting from the odd game being shown on the web.
Without any warning or explanation, Invision and the league decided that this weekend was the right time to broadcast a live Saturday match.
UEFA rules debar matches being broadcast between 14:45 and 17:15 so a proposal was made to change the kick-off time to 12:45.
The chosen game was FC United of Manchester's away game at Curzon Ashton Both clubs objected to the change but the league imposed the decision regardless.
As new members of the league and aware of problems caused by TV deals elsewhere, FC United met with league officials in July to ask about details of the league's obligations to the TV company.
League officials gave assurances that games would not be moved for TV without the agreement of the competing clubs.
The league now denies that any assurances were given and have refused to discuss the matter further.
As a result of these assurances not being maintained and because the league ignored the express wishes of both clubs, the board of FC United reluctantly asked for supporters to attend the reserve fixture instead of going to the first team game.
As a members-owned club it is not surprising that supporters heeded the call, with 467 attending the reserve fixture and just a handful travelling to Curzon Ashton.
The stand taken by FC United's board has been criticised by some for being narrow-minded and interpreted as a failure to embrace the opportunity to gain the exposure offered by TV.
Nothing could be further from the truth. We are aware of how important TV is to the game; the publicity it generates and the cash revenues are vital ingredients.
Our objection is that assurances we believe we were given have been reneged upon and that the league has failed to explain why it was necessary to inconvenience supporters.
The evaporation of these assurances follows a similar pattern to the broken promises made when the top flight started to have more games televised.
One thousand supporters attending a game at our level will generate in the region of £10,000 through gate revenue, catering, bar spend etc.
This income needs to be protected and built upon not risked in pursuit of an as yet unproven Internet audience.
Supporters of our club travel in numbers; they are embraced by some, viewed with suspicion by others and seen as ripe for exploitation by a few.
When we left the North West Counties League, one league official, who opposed our acceptance two years previously, explained that he had a change of heart and recognised the benefit our supporters had brought to clubs in the league, generating 1250,000 a season for member clubs and the same again for the pubs and takeaways around the region.
In chasing a greater exposure for the Non-League game, our administrators need to be careful not to lose the existing audience with a disruption to kick-offs experienced higher up the Pyramid. Non-League clubs struggle to attract enough spectators through the gate so the exposure offered by TV is attractive and the numbers quoted for viewing figures can be seductive, but it is the fan that turns up week in, week out that should be cherished.
The match-going fan generates cash every week. The TV companies hope to raise revenue off the back of their coverage because advertisers wish to expose their Products to these supporters.
We are not burying our heads in the sand and recognise that some disruption to kick-off times is the inevitable price paid for the money given by the TV companies.
But the wishes of match-going fans must be paramount - otherwise what are we here for?
NLP Sunday, 30 December 2007
CURZON LOSE £10K
(No on-line content)
CURZON ASHTON were left counting the cost of FC United fans' decision to boycott yesterday's game after just 297 turned up at the Tameside Stadium,
Chairman Harry Galloway believes the UniBond North side could have lost £10,000 after the Red Rebels fans' no-show, following their objection to the 12.45pm kick-off.
"What could we do about it?" said a dejected Galloway, who watched his side slip to a 2-0 defeat against United.
"I think it could have been prevented by the league -there was no need for it to come to this at all.
"Of course we are disappointed by the gate because we were expecting at least another 1,000 on top of that.
"There were about 10 to 20 FC United fans in disguise around the ground, but we had budgeted for far more.
"It has cost us about £10k and for a club like Curzon Ashton that is a lot of money."
FC United chiefs had asked fans to boycott the game after it was chosen for UniBond TV - and an early kick-off.
Despite accepting United's reasons, Galloway added: "It's written into their constitution that they are not going to be pushed about by TV companies with regard to kick-offs but I would never support a boycott from our supporters on this issue."
Meanwhile, a record crowd of 467 watched FC United reserves beat Club AZ 3-1 in a home top-of-the-table Cheshire League Division Two clash.
NLP Sunday, 30 December 2007
CURZON ASHTON were left counting the cost of FC United fans' decision to boycott yesterday's game after just 297 turned up at the Tameside Stadium,
Chairman Harry Galloway believes the UniBond North side could have lost £10,000 after the Red Rebels fans' no-show, following their objection to the 12.45pm kick-off.
"What could we do about it?" said a dejected Galloway, who watched his side slip to a 2-0 defeat against United.
"I think it could have been prevented by the league -there was no need for it to come to this at all.
"Of course we are disappointed by the gate because we were expecting at least another 1,000 on top of that.
"There were about 10 to 20 FC United fans in disguise around the ground, but we had budgeted for far more.
"It has cost us about £10k and for a club like Curzon Ashton that is a lot of money."
FC United chiefs had asked fans to boycott the game after it was chosen for UniBond TV - and an early kick-off.
Despite accepting United's reasons, Galloway added: "It's written into their constitution that they are not going to be pushed about by TV companies with regard to kick-offs but I would never support a boycott from our supporters on this issue."
Meanwhile, a record crowd of 467 watched FC United reserves beat Club AZ 3-1 in a home top-of-the-table Cheshire League Division Two clash.
NLP Sunday, 30 December 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Marginson rallies Rebels
Tony Glennon
28/12/2007
FC United manager Karl Marginson regards Saturday's trip to leaders Curzon Ashton as a chance for his faltering Rebels to blast their way back into the UniBond first division north championship race.
Marginson's men have slipped to sixth after collecting just seven points from their last seven games, the latest of which was a disappointing 1-1 draw at rock-bottom Radcliffe on Boxing Day.
But victory over Curzon in the 12.45pm Tameside Stadium clash would take FC back to within nine points of the summit to reassert their claim for a third successive divisional title as they head into the New Year.
"We've had a difficult few weeks but a win tomorrow would repair a lot of the damage we've sustained at a single stroke," said Marginson.
"We simply have to keep going because a glance at the league table tells you the race for the championship is still wide-open."
28/12/2007
FC United manager Karl Marginson regards Saturday's trip to leaders Curzon Ashton as a chance for his faltering Rebels to blast their way back into the UniBond first division north championship race.
Marginson's men have slipped to sixth after collecting just seven points from their last seven games, the latest of which was a disappointing 1-1 draw at rock-bottom Radcliffe on Boxing Day.
But victory over Curzon in the 12.45pm Tameside Stadium clash would take FC back to within nine points of the summit to reassert their claim for a third successive divisional title as they head into the New Year.
"We've had a difficult few weeks but a win tomorrow would repair a lot of the damage we've sustained at a single stroke," said Marginson.
"We simply have to keep going because a glance at the league table tells you the race for the championship is still wide-open."
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Boycott Backing
27/12/2007
FC UNITED manager Karl Marginson has backed his fans’ boycott of the team’s visit to Curzon Ashton this Saturday, December 22.
The club’s board requested the action after the UniBond League moved the kick-off time from 3pm to 12.30pm to accommodate their internet live TV coverage.
The move has angered members of the club, which was partly formed with a remit to counter the ills of modern football, including the changing of kick-off times to the detriment of supporters.
Marginson said: "I fully support our fans in this action and I did even consider pulling the team out to show people that you cannot treat football supporters with such disregard as this. We decided that the punishments that would be imposed on the club meant it was advisable to play the match but that doesn’t alter the fact that I support the boycott.
"It will be a good test for our players to play without the vocal backing and a wake up call to some of them who have got used to having 2,000 supporters singing their name.
"Maybe some of our squad will realise again how lucky they are to have the support that they do and that has to be a good thing."
An event will take place the same day at FC’s reserve game against Eagle Sport at Abbey Hey’s Abbey Stadium, kick-off 2pm. For more details visit: www.fc-utd.co.uk.
FC UNITED manager Karl Marginson has backed his fans’ boycott of the team’s visit to Curzon Ashton this Saturday, December 22.
The club’s board requested the action after the UniBond League moved the kick-off time from 3pm to 12.30pm to accommodate their internet live TV coverage.
The move has angered members of the club, which was partly formed with a remit to counter the ills of modern football, including the changing of kick-off times to the detriment of supporters.
Marginson said: "I fully support our fans in this action and I did even consider pulling the team out to show people that you cannot treat football supporters with such disregard as this. We decided that the punishments that would be imposed on the club meant it was advisable to play the match but that doesn’t alter the fact that I support the boycott.
"It will be a good test for our players to play without the vocal backing and a wake up call to some of them who have got used to having 2,000 supporters singing their name.
"Maybe some of our squad will realise again how lucky they are to have the support that they do and that has to be a good thing."
An event will take place the same day at FC’s reserve game against Eagle Sport at Abbey Hey’s Abbey Stadium, kick-off 2pm. For more details visit: www.fc-utd.co.uk.
Boro share spoils with Reds
Source: This is Lancashire
By Marc Higginson
BOROUGH remain rooted to the bottom of the Unibond table, without a win to their name.
However, three of their seven draws have now come against sides in the top five and, once again, they were the better side but failed to make their dominance count.
They looked odds-on for that first win when Craig Dawson put his side ahead, but FC United refused to throw in the towel and got their reward when Chris Baguley curled home a 25-yard free-kick five minutes from time.
Steve Howson, Gary Sampson and Michael Murray had all tested Reds keeper Sam Ashton before central defender Dawson rose to head home Sampson's corner after 41 minutes.
Borough couldn't find a second goal and paid the price when, with five minutes left on the clock, United's Baguley was brought down on the edge of the area.
The inspirational midfielder dusted himself down and curled a super free-kick around the wall and into the bottom corner.
In the end it took an assistant referee's flag to save a point for Borough. James Holden tapped the ball in after Lake parried a Baguley shot, only for the goal to be disallowed.
By Marc Higginson
BOROUGH remain rooted to the bottom of the Unibond table, without a win to their name.
However, three of their seven draws have now come against sides in the top five and, once again, they were the better side but failed to make their dominance count.
They looked odds-on for that first win when Craig Dawson put his side ahead, but FC United refused to throw in the towel and got their reward when Chris Baguley curled home a 25-yard free-kick five minutes from time.
Steve Howson, Gary Sampson and Michael Murray had all tested Reds keeper Sam Ashton before central defender Dawson rose to head home Sampson's corner after 41 minutes.
Borough couldn't find a second goal and paid the price when, with five minutes left on the clock, United's Baguley was brought down on the edge of the area.
The inspirational midfielder dusted himself down and curled a super free-kick around the wall and into the bottom corner.
In the end it took an assistant referee's flag to save a point for Borough. James Holden tapped the ball in after Lake parried a Baguley shot, only for the goal to be disallowed.
FC fans urged to boycott game
Source: Bury Times
By Marc Higginson
FC United fans have been asked to boycott their game with Curzon Ashton tomorrow.
United's board are urging supporters not to attend after television company In Vision moved the kick-off time from 3pm to 12.45pm for it to be shown live on the internet.
FC, who were founded in 2005, after American businessman Malcolm Glazer took over Manchester United, oppose the idea of games being moved to suit television audiences at the inconvenience of spectators.
advertisement
Jerome Wright and Adam Turner return to the United squad after suspension, but top scorer Rory Patterson is still out.
Striker Stuart Rudd has had a setback in his return from a knee injury, and is set to be sidelined for another month.
Skipper Dave Chadwick and Josh Howard should return within a fortnight.
Radcliffe Borough director of football Peter Coyne has some juggling to do with his squad before the home clash with Clitheroe.
Cammell Laird are discussing terms with goalkeeper Sean Lake, Glyn Barker has left the club to go travelling and influential midfielder Lee Connell could be out for up to six weeks with ankle ligament damage picked up in the draw at Bradford.
Lake and Barker have yet to be replaced, but there is plenty of new competition in midfield with 21-year-old Maine Road captain Neil Chappell signing permanently and Bradford Park Avenue's Mark Jones joining on loan for a month.
Accrington Stanley teenagers Andy Smith and Joseph Shelmedine have joined on work experience.
By Marc Higginson
FC United fans have been asked to boycott their game with Curzon Ashton tomorrow.
United's board are urging supporters not to attend after television company In Vision moved the kick-off time from 3pm to 12.45pm for it to be shown live on the internet.
FC, who were founded in 2005, after American businessman Malcolm Glazer took over Manchester United, oppose the idea of games being moved to suit television audiences at the inconvenience of spectators.
advertisement
Jerome Wright and Adam Turner return to the United squad after suspension, but top scorer Rory Patterson is still out.
Striker Stuart Rudd has had a setback in his return from a knee injury, and is set to be sidelined for another month.
Skipper Dave Chadwick and Josh Howard should return within a fortnight.
Radcliffe Borough director of football Peter Coyne has some juggling to do with his squad before the home clash with Clitheroe.
Cammell Laird are discussing terms with goalkeeper Sean Lake, Glyn Barker has left the club to go travelling and influential midfielder Lee Connell could be out for up to six weeks with ankle ligament damage picked up in the draw at Bradford.
Lake and Barker have yet to be replaced, but there is plenty of new competition in midfield with 21-year-old Maine Road captain Neil Chappell signing permanently and Bradford Park Avenue's Mark Jones joining on loan for a month.
Accrington Stanley teenagers Andy Smith and Joseph Shelmedine have joined on work experience.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Suffering Boro miss out again
By Marc Higginson
Radcliffe Boro 1 FC United 1,
Unibond League Division One North
EVEN the most pessimistic of scriptwriters would struggle to chronicle the hard luck stories down at Radcliffe Borough this season.
Once again Radcliffe were the better team and, once again, Boro were left with a point when it was three they deserved.
A quick glance at the UniBond table shows that Peter Coyne's men are marooned at the bottom without a single league victory all season.
What it doesn't show is that three of their seven draws have come against teams in the top five -- leaders Curzon Ashton, second-placed Bradford Park Avenue and breakaway club FC United of Manchester.
If ever there was a sign that a team can more than hold their own in this division - that statistic proves it.
However, draws are no good and the hard luck tales will continue without a bit more quality and a touch more ruthlessness.
Boro looked odds on for that elusive first win when Craig Dawson put his side ahead, but FC United refused to throw in the towel and got their reward when Chris Baguley curled home a 25-yard free-kick on 85 minutes.
"We just couldn't get the second goal to give ourselves breathing space," said Boro director of football Coyne.
"But credit to FC United. They showed their quality from the free-kick. We are just gutted we didn't get the three points."
It was Boro's big day, with 1,290 packing into Stainton Park for the inaugural competitive fixture between the two sides - and Glyn Barker almost gave his side the lead when he broke through, but shot over, after just 90 seconds.
The home side were inspired by the large crowd, and Steve Howson, Gary Sampson and Michael Murray all tested Reds keeper Sam Ashton with efforts before Dawson's opener on 41 minutes.
Central defender Dawson, who is being courted by Premiership giants Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers, rose highest to power home Sampson's corner and send his side into the break a goal in front.
Boro made most of the running in the first half, but sat back and invited pressure in the second as Chris Baguley became more and more influential with some dangerous runs from midfield.
Simon Carden brought a fine save from keeper Sean Lake after Boro's defence was split open, before the impressive Matty Taylor made a crucial tackle at the other end by stopping Barker in his tracks.
The equaliser came with just five minutes left on the clock when Baguley was brought down on the edge of the area. The inspirational midfielder dusted himself down and curled a super free-kick around the wall and into the bottom corner.
Boro were devastated, but it could have been much worse on 90 minutes when the visitors had a goal disallowed.
Visibly lifted after restoring parity, FC United were the only side capable of a winner and they thought they had it when James Holden tapped home after Lake could only parry another shot from Baguley.
But the linesman raised his flag and Boro were able to keep a semblance of Christmas cheer from a game they once again impressed in.
Boro: Lake, Murray, Sampson, Kelly, Flynn, Dawson, Jones, Forrest (Chappell), Howson, Barker, Waine. Not used: Manning, Smith.
7:11pm
26/12/2007
Radcliffe Boro 1 FC United 1,
Unibond League Division One North
EVEN the most pessimistic of scriptwriters would struggle to chronicle the hard luck stories down at Radcliffe Borough this season.
Once again Radcliffe were the better team and, once again, Boro were left with a point when it was three they deserved.
A quick glance at the UniBond table shows that Peter Coyne's men are marooned at the bottom without a single league victory all season.
What it doesn't show is that three of their seven draws have come against teams in the top five -- leaders Curzon Ashton, second-placed Bradford Park Avenue and breakaway club FC United of Manchester.
If ever there was a sign that a team can more than hold their own in this division - that statistic proves it.
However, draws are no good and the hard luck tales will continue without a bit more quality and a touch more ruthlessness.
Boro looked odds on for that elusive first win when Craig Dawson put his side ahead, but FC United refused to throw in the towel and got their reward when Chris Baguley curled home a 25-yard free-kick on 85 minutes.
"We just couldn't get the second goal to give ourselves breathing space," said Boro director of football Coyne.
"But credit to FC United. They showed their quality from the free-kick. We are just gutted we didn't get the three points."
It was Boro's big day, with 1,290 packing into Stainton Park for the inaugural competitive fixture between the two sides - and Glyn Barker almost gave his side the lead when he broke through, but shot over, after just 90 seconds.
The home side were inspired by the large crowd, and Steve Howson, Gary Sampson and Michael Murray all tested Reds keeper Sam Ashton with efforts before Dawson's opener on 41 minutes.
Central defender Dawson, who is being courted by Premiership giants Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers, rose highest to power home Sampson's corner and send his side into the break a goal in front.
Boro made most of the running in the first half, but sat back and invited pressure in the second as Chris Baguley became more and more influential with some dangerous runs from midfield.
Simon Carden brought a fine save from keeper Sean Lake after Boro's defence was split open, before the impressive Matty Taylor made a crucial tackle at the other end by stopping Barker in his tracks.
The equaliser came with just five minutes left on the clock when Baguley was brought down on the edge of the area. The inspirational midfielder dusted himself down and curled a super free-kick around the wall and into the bottom corner.
Boro were devastated, but it could have been much worse on 90 minutes when the visitors had a goal disallowed.
Visibly lifted after restoring parity, FC United were the only side capable of a winner and they thought they had it when James Holden tapped home after Lake could only parry another shot from Baguley.
But the linesman raised his flag and Boro were able to keep a semblance of Christmas cheer from a game they once again impressed in.
Boro: Lake, Murray, Sampson, Kelly, Flynn, Dawson, Jones, Forrest (Chappell), Howson, Barker, Waine. Not used: Manning, Smith.
7:11pm
26/12/2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
Bumper crowd expected for big derby
Source: The Bolton News
Bumper crowd expected for big derby
By Marc Higginson
RADCLIFFE Borough will be hoping to capitalise on FC United's lack of match practice when they host their high-flying neighbours this afternoon.
The Rebel Reds have not played throughout December because of the poor weather, while Radcliffe are in confident mood after snatching a draw at the death against promotion favourites Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday.
Boro expect to break their Stainton Park attendance record, with as many as 2,500 fans expected at the game, and Coyne is banking on the occasion bringing the best out in his players.
"Any win is crucial for us at the moment, but to do it against FC United would be amazing," said Coyne. "Everyone wants to beat FC United.
"They know all about us, and I doubt that they will be taking us lightly. They know that we are not playing like a bottom of the league team.
"They might not have played for a while, but they will be ready for it. They have a big enough squad."
The visitors will have top-scorer Rory Patterson, Jerome Wright and Adam Turner missing through suspension while Lee Connell is a doubt for Boro.
Bumper crowd expected for big derby
By Marc Higginson
RADCLIFFE Borough will be hoping to capitalise on FC United's lack of match practice when they host their high-flying neighbours this afternoon.
The Rebel Reds have not played throughout December because of the poor weather, while Radcliffe are in confident mood after snatching a draw at the death against promotion favourites Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday.
Boro expect to break their Stainton Park attendance record, with as many as 2,500 fans expected at the game, and Coyne is banking on the occasion bringing the best out in his players.
"Any win is crucial for us at the moment, but to do it against FC United would be amazing," said Coyne. "Everyone wants to beat FC United.
"They know all about us, and I doubt that they will be taking us lightly. They know that we are not playing like a bottom of the league team.
"They might not have played for a while, but they will be ready for it. They have a big enough squad."
The visitors will have top-scorer Rory Patterson, Jerome Wright and Adam Turner missing through suspension while Lee Connell is a doubt for Boro.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Bleau set for FC debut
20/12/2007
FC UNITED face a double-header of UniBond League Division One North fixtures this week as they look to boost their chances of gaining their third successive promotion.
Fourth-placed FC host lowly Woodley Sports at Gigg Lane on Saturday, December 22, and visit rock bottom Radcliffe Borough on Boxing Day, Wednesday, December 26. Both games will kick-off at 3pm.
New FC signing Micha Bleau is almost certain to make his debut at centre half against Woodley as Adam Turner is suspended following a sending off.
Manager Karl Marginson said: “Micha is a strong lad who has played professionally at Halifax so he’s a good signing for us. With the suspensions we’ve got and his impressive form in training he should get his chance on Saturday.”
Meanwhile, Rory Patterson still has a two-game suspension to serve and Jerome Wright will also be missing on a one-game ban.
FC have not played yet in December due to their scheduled matches with Chorley and Ossett Albion being called off due to the effects of bad weather.
FC UNITED face a double-header of UniBond League Division One North fixtures this week as they look to boost their chances of gaining their third successive promotion.
Fourth-placed FC host lowly Woodley Sports at Gigg Lane on Saturday, December 22, and visit rock bottom Radcliffe Borough on Boxing Day, Wednesday, December 26. Both games will kick-off at 3pm.
New FC signing Micha Bleau is almost certain to make his debut at centre half against Woodley as Adam Turner is suspended following a sending off.
Manager Karl Marginson said: “Micha is a strong lad who has played professionally at Halifax so he’s a good signing for us. With the suspensions we’ve got and his impressive form in training he should get his chance on Saturday.”
Meanwhile, Rory Patterson still has a two-game suspension to serve and Jerome Wright will also be missing on a one-game ban.
FC have not played yet in December due to their scheduled matches with Chorley and Ossett Albion being called off due to the effects of bad weather.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
