Community work goal for football team

Source: Bury Times

BURY-based football club FC United is top of the league when it comes to showing how teams should work with the community, according to a leading Goverment minister.

MP Andy Burnham, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, visited Gigg Lane on January 17 to watch the reds beat Prescot Cables 2-0.

Though he supports Everton, Mr Burnham is a huge fan of clubs like FC United, which is owned by its fans, who vote on major issues like admission prices and sponsorship, and elect a board to run the club day to day.

Included in the club’s manifesto is a pledge to work with charities — it is a keen backer of Prestwich-based Medequip4 kids — and to develop strong community links.

Volunteer coaches also run regular coaching sessions across Greater Manchester.

Mr Burnham said: “I enjoyed the match and congratulate FC United on their victory.

“Both myself and my parliamentary colleague David Chaytor, MP for Bury North, were impressed with the standard of football on the pitch and the passion of the fans off it.

“FC United has shown how fans can defy the odds and set up and run a genuine, democratic, community based club. As a co-founder of fans’ group Supporters Direct, these are values that I back.

“I know FC United will continue to show football how supporter owned clubs can be a force for good in the modern game.”

Non-league preview

Edited from: Manchester Evening News
Tony Glennon
January 30, 2009

...

ADAM Turner has left FC United and returned to Bacup.

The centre-half sent boss Karl Marginson a text saying he wanted regular first-team football.

FC host Guiseley at Gigg Lane tomorrow, the early season pace-setters having hit a barren patch, without a win in seven league games.

Lions players up for latest Gigg

10:30am Thursday 29th January 2009

By Ian Whiting

Guiseley enjoyed the euphoria of a win in midweek and they would like to transfer that form to the league on Saturday to get their UniBond League Premier Division promotion push back on track.

Assistant manager Wayne Benn says the players will certainly be motivated, as they will be the first side since Bradford City to take the stage at Gigg Lane.

The Bantams lost to Bury on Tuesday but the Lions will be hoping tenants FC United of Manchester do not make it a double.

“We will go there looking for a win, as at this stage of the season we are not interested in draws,” said Benn.

“The League Cup win against Ashton on Tuesday was nice; we felt we were overdue one. We scored three goals, kept a clean sheet and it was a good performance, so it all came at once.

“We won’t be shouting from the rooftops that it is a turning point but it was a step in the right direction. We know it will be a tough game at FC United but it is a great place to go and play football.

“If playing at a ground like that, on a surface like that, in front of two thousand-plus fans doesn’t excite you, then there is something wrong with you. As ever though, we won’t be getting carried away.

“Our lads will know they are up against a very good passing side. When they came to us they played really well and outpassed us at times. They are the only side we have faced this season to manage that.

“We sneaked a draw, at home, thanks to an Anthony Lloyd rocket. On that occasion I think we got more than we deserved. We say it when it happens the other way round, so we have to be honest.”

Midfielder Steve Burton is doubtful after lasting only 25 minutes of the midweek cup win with a groin injury. Utility man Simeon Bambrook returns to the squad after being rested on Tuesday.

Arms set for attack on the silverware

29/1/2009

MIDDLETON’S top two football teams are bidding for glory in what promises to be a classic seven days.

On Sunday all eyes will be on Radclyffe Arms who aim for a place in the Manchester Amateur Sunday Cup semi-finals.

Over the years Arms earned a reputation as a club which was always the bridesmaid, but this season they are odds-on to claim the Middleton Sunday League Premier Division title and could add possible knockout silverware from three other fronts.

Tameside Sunday League side Stamford FC provide the opposition on Sunday, and Arms will go into the game as hot favourites after a string of superb performances in the competition, not least the 11-0 drubbing of Weaste United in the previous round.

Arms have given up home advantage, and the match will now be played at Armidale Road, Dukinfield, kick-off 10.30am

If Arms go on to clinch the Middleton League title they will earn an invitation into next season’s contest for the North West Champion of Champions Cup – a trophy which Langley Celtic are determined to retain for a second year.

On Sunday week (8 February) they face Heywood Reform at Parkfield in a quarter-final of this year’s competition, kick-off 10.30am.

Reform took a coachload of supporters to Blackpool in the previous round and are expected to be well supported again.

Celtic hope that some of Middleton’s large contingent of FC United fans will be attracted by the appearances in the green and white of Dave Neville and Tunji Moses who are regulars in the United side.

FC shoot up to seventh spot

29/ 1/2009

FC UNITED manager Karl Marginson hailed comeback kid Jamie Baguley after his screamer took the reds up to seventh place.

United are on the edge of the UniBond Premier League play-off places following their 2-0 win at Leigh Genesis on Tuesday night, which included a 25-yard pile driver from Baguley.

The reds have now won five of their last six games and they play the side directly above them, Guiseley, at Gigg Lane on Saturday, January 31, kick-off 3pm.

Marginson said: “We’re on a good run and it’s important that we continue that.

“The performance at Leigh wasn’t great as they made it difficult for us. But we got the three points we needed to continue our promotion push.

“We’ve got good competition for places at the moment and Jamie Baguley coming off the bench and scoring such a good goal just goes to prove that we have many players battling for a place in the starting 11.

“Jamie is a top lad with a great attitude and everyone is made up that he has recovered from the knee injury that kept him out for much of the season.

“Guiseley will be a tough game as we drew 2-2 with them in a cracking match in November.

“We thought that we did more than enough to win that one and we actually went in front with a couple of minutes left, before their full back scored the goal of his life from 30 yards out to steal a point.

“So we maybe have a score to settle and we know that if we are at our best we will beat anyone.”

Winger Jerome Wright scored the other goal on Tuesday night as FC marked the first ever competitive game at Leigh’s Sports Village with a win.

But FC had less luck on Saturday as Witton Albion caused an upset with a last minute winner to pip the reds 2-1.

United’s goal came from loan signing Tristram Whitman, who has impressed his manager.

Margy said: “Tristram is settling in well and getting to know the way that we play.

“He took his goal against Witton really well and there will be plenty more of them to come, we hope.

“We were very unlucky not to win Saturday’s game and I’ve never seen a team hit the woodwork as often as we did. But that’s football and it will even itself out.”

Centre half Rob Nugent is FC’s only doubt for the Guiseley game after he suffered a broken nose at Witton.

The admission prices for Saturday are £7.50 for adults, £5 for over-60s and £2 for under-18s.

Non League round-up

28/ 1/2009

FC UNITED got their UniBond Premier Division promotion bid firmly back on track with a comfortable 2-0 win at bottom-of-the-table Leigh Genesis in front of a crowd of 1,302.

But the rebel Reds, who were desperate to bounce back from their agonising last-gasp defeat at Witton, had to wait until two minutes from time to secure the win.

Jamie Baguley was on hand to clinch their fourth victory in five games with a 25-yard screamer.

Jerome Wright had given United a 15th minute lead when he drilled home from just inside the box.

But, despite dominating throughout, Karl Marginson's men were unable to kill off plucky Genesis, who were playing for the first time at their new Leigh Sports Village ground, until Baguley finally settled the issue with time running out.

The win takes United to within a point of a play-off place ahead of Saturday's crunch home clash with fellow promotion contenders Guiseley.

Meanwhile, Altrincham played out their second Blue Square Premier draw in four days as they were held 1-1 by York at Moss Lane.

The Robins led at the break through Shaun Densmore's 15th minute goal, but Richard Brodie equalised within a minute of the re-start to earn the visitors a point.

Relegation-haunted Northwich remain anchored at the foot of the table despite ending their six-match losing streak with a thrilling 3-3 draw at Wrexham.

Droylsden's hopes of forcing their way into the Blue Square North promotion picture suffered a set-back in a 1-0 disappointing defeat at Gainsborough.

Debut night at LSV ends in defeat for Leigh Genesis against FC United

Source: Leigh Journal

8:53am Wednesday 28th January 2009

By Matt Lawton

Leigh Genesis 0 FC United 2

AN encouraging crowd of more than 1,300 turned up for Leigh Genesis’ inaugural fixture at the Leigh Sports Village Stadium on Tuesday night but many were to go home in disappointment as visitors FC United chalked up a comfortable victory.

After months of false starts and alternative venues, Leigh finally made their bow at their impressive new home but, playing a 4-5-1 formation, found themselves largely on the back foot for much of the first half.

After wasting a couple of earlier chances, it was on 17 minutes when the visitors took the lead.

Leigh defender Ben McHugh was dispossessed in his own area by FC United striker Jerome Wright, who made no mistake in lashing the ball past Genesis goalkeeper Danny Morton and claiming the honour of being the very first goal scorer at the Leigh Sports Village Stadium.

United left back Simon Garner almost grabbed a second goal for the visitors seven minutes later when his ambitious shot from distance was awkwardly tipped over the crossbar by Morton before Alex Cunliffe had the first chance for the hosts, firing wide of the target from the edge of the area.

Phil Marsh sent a free kick arrowing inches away from goal just before half time but, wiith Leigh struggling to get a foothold in the game, United’s victory was sealed with 21 minutes remaining when substitute Jamie Baguley fired a terrific shot past Morton from just outside of the penalty area.

Such a big crowd will prove infinitely encouraging to the club but the team need to start picking up points sooner rather than later, starting with the relegation six-pointer with Worksop Town in a fixture that, with the Leigh Sports Village Stadium unavailable, is to be played at Stainton Park, the home of Radcliffe Borough, on Saturday at 3pm.

Leigh Genesis: Danny Morton, Mark Radcliffe, Kris King, Chris Page, Ben McHugh (Nia Bayunu), Nick Linford (Kyle Lambert), Steve Settle, Karl Brown, Phil Marsh, Alex Cunliffe, Dale Whitham (Sam Parkinson).

FC open Leigh stadium

Source: Manchester Evening News

Stuart Brennan
26/ 1/2009

FC UNITED christen Leigh Genesis’ new stadium tomorrow night, with manager Karl Marginson hoping for a little more luck than they had at the weekend.

The Rebels hit the woodwork an astonishing SEVEN times in the 2-1 defeat at Witton Albion, six of them in the second half, and Marginson is hoping that such ill fortune does not befall his team against the UniBond premier’s bottom club at Sports Village Stadium.

“I can’t remember a game where anyone hit the woodwork so many times,” says Marginson, whose team remain just three points outside the play-offs. “It was just one of those games, and if we had got our noses in front I feel we would have won comfortably.”

Now Marginson is warning his side to be on their guard against a team which has been in freefall, without a league win since October and having lost their last four without scoring, including a 5-0 defeat at Matlock at the weekend.

“It will be a big boost for them, moving into the new stadium, and for the game to be against us as well,” said the FC boss. “They have quite a lot of young lads, and I am sure their manager will be focusing on getting them to play without fear.”

Stalwart defender Rob Nugent will be missing after breaking his nose and being knocked out at Witton, with Adam Turner stepping in to partner Dave Chadwick in defence.

Marginson still has to decide whether to stick with Tris Whitman up front after he marked his first start for the club with the goal at Witton, or whether to restore Tommy Turner to his partnership with top scorer Kyle Wilson.

Marginson’s side has developed an unhealthy knack of under-performing against relegation strugglers – the six teams directly above Leigh have all taken points off them this season.

But Marginson feels that is the nature of the division his team are in: “Quite a few of the top teams have been beaten by those at the bottom.

“Witton beat us, but they have improved a lot since we beat them in October and should climb away from the relegation zone pretty quickly.”

Witton out of relegation zone with brave victory over FC United of Manchester

Source: Mid Cheshire Chronicle

Jan 26 2009 by Ben Coulbeck, Mid Cheshire Chronicle

A battling home performance in front of a four-figure crowd ensured Witton Albion climbed out of the bottom four and claim their first league win at Wincham Park since early September.

Witton maintained their unbeaten start to 2009 thanks to goals at the end of both halves in an entertaining and open UniBond Premier encounter against FC United of Manchester.

Despite visiting FC United, backed by the majority of a 1030-strong crowd, having most of the play during the first half, it was Gary Finley’s men that took the lead moments before the half-time whistle.

Witton had been on the back foot for most of the half but during a number of salvos into FC’s penalty area, a cross from the right was met by striker Lee Thompson who rose highest to head the ball past energetic keeper Sam Ashton.

It was a goal that came against the run of play but was exactly the break Witton needed to instil belief that victory, and indeed revenge for the 5-3 embarrassment at FC United’s Gigg Lane last year, was possible.

After the break the visitors, attacking the Lostock end, looked threatening and hit Greg Smith’s crossbar on no more than four occasions.

But it was Witton that came closest to adding to the scoresheet when a cross from the right was met again by Thompson but his goal-bound header was miraculously tipped onto the bar by Ashton.

The visitors immediately responded though and levelled when a ball through the heart of Witton’s defence was latched onto first by Tristam Whitman who squeezed his shot under Smith.

United almost went ahead shortly after when they hit Smith’s left-hand post and at times, Witton were riding their luck, but a mixture of fortune, grit and determination made sure the Albion stayed on level terms.

Witton had chances to go ahead through Neil Black, who impressed with his workrate all afternoon, but FC keeper Ashton was up to the task to block his shot on two occasions.

But Black was not to be denied as, in the final minute of the game, he managed to get the final touch to deflected shot which saw the ball trickle over the line and sent the home fans into raptures.

Witton host Marine tomorrow (Tuesday) night at Wincham Park in the fourth round of the UniBond Challenge Cup.

'Munich gesture' warning to player

10:00am Monday 26th January 2009

A FOOTBALL player accused of mocking the deaths of plane crash victims has been given an official warning by the sport’s governing body.

But despite being contacted by the Football Association, former Marine FC player John Lawless has refused to admit he did anything wrong.

Mr Lawless and team-mate Shaun Tuck, are alleged to have made an aeroplane gesture — an apparent reference to the Munich air disaster of 1958, which killed eight Manchester United players — to FC United supporters during a clash at Gigg Lane last week.

The story was exclusively reported first on the Bury Times’ website.

Last Friday, the FA gave Mr Lawless and Mr Tuck written warnings.

Marine chairman Paul Leary has apologised to supporters of FC United for any offence caused but Mr Lawless, who has since left the club, maintains that he is innocent.

His lawyer, Ged Nolan, from Canter Levin and Berg, said: “John left Marine by mutual consent. He wasn’t sacked so, contrary to reports elsewhere, he will not be making any legal challenges against leaving Marine.

“John has said he did not make the aeroplane gesture but he did say that he raised five fingers to the crowd.”

The five-fingered gesture is to symbolise that Liverpool have won the Champions League five times to Manchester United’s three.

Mr Lawless has since signed for Welsh Premier League side Caernarfon Town.

Mr Leary said: “This has been a very difficult time for our club. We are a long-established club with high standards and an excellent reputation both on and off the pitch. The publicity surrounding this has been damaging to us.

“I apologise to the fans of FC United of Manchester for the events that have led to both the inquiry by the FA and to the departure of John Lawless from Marine.”