July 30, 2009
FC UNITED set up a winner-takes-all clash with Bury after edging out Radcliffe Borough in the Newsquest Cup.
FC twice came from behind in an even contest at Stainton Park to win 3-2 and give themselves the chance to win the preseason friendly tournament at Gigg Lane.
Goals from Matthews, a penalty from Lomax and a fantastic side-footed finish from Ibrahim cancelled out strikes from Boro’s Wharton and Howson in front of 347 fans.
The Radcliffe win followed United’s 2-0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, during which Adam Carden missed a penalty.
Despite being two leagues below their hosts, FC were far from outclassed and the red contingent among the 1,722 crowd left with high hopes for the coming season.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Bury 2 FC United 0
Source: Bury Times
10:13am Thursday 30th July 2009
BURY lifted the Newsquest Cup after a hard-fought victory against Gigg Lane tenants FC United last night.
Brian Barry-Murphy put the Shakers into a first half lead before striker Danny Carlton put the result beyond doubt when he slotted past Sam Ashton.
10:13am Thursday 30th July 2009
BURY lifted the Newsquest Cup after a hard-fought victory against Gigg Lane tenants FC United last night.
Brian Barry-Murphy put the Shakers into a first half lead before striker Danny Carlton put the result beyond doubt when he slotted past Sam Ashton.
Bury beat tenants FC
Source: Manchester Evening News
Tony Glennon
July 30, 2009
LANDLORDS beat tenants as goals by Brian Barry- Murphy and Danny Carlton secured Bury a 2-0 victory over their non-League ground-sharers FC United in front of a Gigg Lane crowd of 1,144.
But this was no pre-season stroll for the slick Shakers, who were given a thorough work-out by Karl Marginson's UniBond League semi-pros in this the first friendly meeting of the clubs in three years.
Barry-Murphy gave Bury a dream start by blasting them in front at the second attempt after his initial free-kick had found its way back to him via the inside of a post.
Ben Deegan, FC's new signing from neighbours Ashton United, then brought a smart save from Cameron Belford.
Bury responded to boss Alan Knill's half-time promptings, although they had to wait until the 66th minute for the goal which finally killed off the part-timers.
Carlton made amends for an earlier miss by firing calmly past Sam Ashton.
Tony Glennon
July 30, 2009
LANDLORDS beat tenants as goals by Brian Barry- Murphy and Danny Carlton secured Bury a 2-0 victory over their non-League ground-sharers FC United in front of a Gigg Lane crowd of 1,144.
But this was no pre-season stroll for the slick Shakers, who were given a thorough work-out by Karl Marginson's UniBond League semi-pros in this the first friendly meeting of the clubs in three years.
Barry-Murphy gave Bury a dream start by blasting them in front at the second attempt after his initial free-kick had found its way back to him via the inside of a post.
Ben Deegan, FC's new signing from neighbours Ashton United, then brought a smart save from Cameron Belford.
Bury responded to boss Alan Knill's half-time promptings, although they had to wait until the 66th minute for the goal which finally killed off the part-timers.
Carlton made amends for an earlier miss by firing calmly past Sam Ashton.
Kids go free
Source: Tameside Advertiser
July 29, 2009
CHILDREN aged under 16 can watch Hyde United’s friendly against FC United at Ewen Fields on Saturday free of charge.
The scheme is part of a link-up between the club and the local authority as the Tigers conclude their pre-season programme against the UniBond Premier League outfit.
Tigers boss Neil Tolson has been busy over the summer, adding the likes of Lincoln Adams, Nathan D’Laryea, Paul Gedman, Michael Jones, Aidan Kirkbride, David McNiven, Scott Mooney and Robbie Smith to some of last season’s squad.
Aside from Tolson the 2008/09 squad members returning to Ewen Fields for the new campaign are Daniel Douglas Pringle, Gerry Harrison, Mark Lees, Chris Lynch, Tom Manship and Lee Rick.
Fellow Blue Square North side Stalybridge Celtic are also in action on Saturday when they travel to Ilkeston Town to play Worksop Town.
That will be followed by a friendly against Manchester City at Bower Fold on August 4, four days before their opening league game at Redditch United.
The Celts were in action against an Oldham Athletic youth development squad as the Advertiser went to press on Tuesday night.
They were hoping to continue the run of pre-season form that had seen them win 1-0 at a Buxton side managed by former Celtic boss John Reed.
That had been followed by a 0-0 draw at FC Halifax Town where the hosts included former Celts Paul Sykes, Steve Payne, Tom Baker and James Dean.
July 29, 2009
CHILDREN aged under 16 can watch Hyde United’s friendly against FC United at Ewen Fields on Saturday free of charge.
The scheme is part of a link-up between the club and the local authority as the Tigers conclude their pre-season programme against the UniBond Premier League outfit.
Tigers boss Neil Tolson has been busy over the summer, adding the likes of Lincoln Adams, Nathan D’Laryea, Paul Gedman, Michael Jones, Aidan Kirkbride, David McNiven, Scott Mooney and Robbie Smith to some of last season’s squad.
Aside from Tolson the 2008/09 squad members returning to Ewen Fields for the new campaign are Daniel Douglas Pringle, Gerry Harrison, Mark Lees, Chris Lynch, Tom Manship and Lee Rick.
Fellow Blue Square North side Stalybridge Celtic are also in action on Saturday when they travel to Ilkeston Town to play Worksop Town.
That will be followed by a friendly against Manchester City at Bower Fold on August 4, four days before their opening league game at Redditch United.
The Celts were in action against an Oldham Athletic youth development squad as the Advertiser went to press on Tuesday night.
They were hoping to continue the run of pre-season form that had seen them win 1-0 at a Buxton side managed by former Celtic boss John Reed.
That had been followed by a 0-0 draw at FC Halifax Town where the hosts included former Celts Paul Sykes, Steve Payne, Tom Baker and James Dean.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Match Of The Week: AFC Wimbledon 2-0 FC United of Manchester
As we walk into the bar at Kingsmeadow, something silver and shiny catches my attention in the corner of my eye. “It’s the FA Trophy!”, I squeal, “The real FA Trophy”. It takes a sharp prod to the rib cage to remind me that, sitting next to it, is the squatter but considerably shinier FA Cup. It’s carnival day in south-west London, the day of the Co-Operative Supporters Direct Cup match, an annual invitation match for supporters trust owned clubs, and this year - as it was two years ago this weekend - it’s Wimbledon and FC United doing the honours. The mutual respect and friendship is immense, but Wimbledon are starting to show United a clean pair of heels on the pitch.
The last time the two sides met Wimbledon were in the Ryman League Premier Division. Since then, they’ve managed two successive promotions and, for all the talk of a season of consolidation, they have become accustomed enough to success to be able to dream of challenging in the Blue Square Premier, even if they might not want to admit it to themselves just yet. United, on the other hand, stalled in the Unibond League Premier Division last season and missed out on the play-offs on the last day of the season. One might expect a side playing to average home crowds of 2,000 in what is effectively the regional seventh division of English football to be in a more powerful position than they are, but the eye-watering price of renting their temporary home - Bury’s Gigg Lane - and the fact that every spare penny is going into a ground development fund means that they compete, on the pitch at least, as equals.
Wimbledon, however, make slightly hard work of things, particularly in the first half. They push the United defence back and seem physically stronger, but the United defence isn’t playing this match as a friendly. They dig deep, get feet and bodies in the way and show a nice touch on the ball after a nervy looking start. Then came the big chance - Phil Marsh cut into the penalty area and was tripped by a clumsy tackle from Kennedy Adjei to give the visitors a penalty. Adam Carden, their Player of the Year last year, stepped up to take the kick, but his finish was poorly placed and predictable, and Wimbledon goalkeeper James Pullen saved comfortably. Half-time came with the scores goalless but Wimbledon still looking in pre-season mode - a sharper attack may have severely punished them.
Parity lasted barely fifteen minutes into the second half, and when it came it was with simplicity that was apposite for a match of this type - Chris Hussey drove a free-kick across the six yard area and Ben Judge tapped it, unmarked at the far post. Many of the travelling supporters could have been forgiven an inward sigh at this point. They travelled from Manchester to London two years ago and lost 2-0 - any pretence of football not being been a harsh mistress coming when United’s Marsh thumped a low free kick against the inside of the post. In the dying seconds, Luke Moore found himself little space on the right hand wide and whipped over a low cross for triallist Peter Rapson to roll the ball past the prone FC United goalkeeper Sam Ashton to wrap the game up.
After the match, the ceremonies and awards. The awarding of a cup gave this game a little more bite than most pre-season friendlies, and the addition of triallists - men who are playing for a job - meant that there weren’t many tackles that were being avoided. Again, though, the most notable thing on the menu this afternoon was the mutual respect between the two clubs, both of whom have much to look forward to. Wimbledon have their work cut out in the BSP, but will benefit from being newly-promoted into a league which may see more established clubs struggling with Setanta money that they may already have spent but definitely won’t receive. FC United, meanwhile, will continue to fight their battles both on and off the pitch. The Unibond League Premier Division remains a winnable league, but their biggest goal remains a home of their own.
To an extent, what was visible off the pitch was more important than anything that could have happened on it. With Notts County supporters choosing a get rich scheme over controlling their own destiny, Wycombe Wanderers being backed into a corner by their managing director Steve Hayes and Stockport County taken out of supporter ownership after falling into administration at the end of last season, this match was a timely reminder that it doesn’t have to be bad news all of the time and a pleasing diversion from the increasingly dispiriting circus that seems to follow the game around each summer.
The last time the two sides met Wimbledon were in the Ryman League Premier Division. Since then, they’ve managed two successive promotions and, for all the talk of a season of consolidation, they have become accustomed enough to success to be able to dream of challenging in the Blue Square Premier, even if they might not want to admit it to themselves just yet. United, on the other hand, stalled in the Unibond League Premier Division last season and missed out on the play-offs on the last day of the season. One might expect a side playing to average home crowds of 2,000 in what is effectively the regional seventh division of English football to be in a more powerful position than they are, but the eye-watering price of renting their temporary home - Bury’s Gigg Lane - and the fact that every spare penny is going into a ground development fund means that they compete, on the pitch at least, as equals.
Wimbledon, however, make slightly hard work of things, particularly in the first half. They push the United defence back and seem physically stronger, but the United defence isn’t playing this match as a friendly. They dig deep, get feet and bodies in the way and show a nice touch on the ball after a nervy looking start. Then came the big chance - Phil Marsh cut into the penalty area and was tripped by a clumsy tackle from Kennedy Adjei to give the visitors a penalty. Adam Carden, their Player of the Year last year, stepped up to take the kick, but his finish was poorly placed and predictable, and Wimbledon goalkeeper James Pullen saved comfortably. Half-time came with the scores goalless but Wimbledon still looking in pre-season mode - a sharper attack may have severely punished them.
Parity lasted barely fifteen minutes into the second half, and when it came it was with simplicity that was apposite for a match of this type - Chris Hussey drove a free-kick across the six yard area and Ben Judge tapped it, unmarked at the far post. Many of the travelling supporters could have been forgiven an inward sigh at this point. They travelled from Manchester to London two years ago and lost 2-0 - any pretence of football not being been a harsh mistress coming when United’s Marsh thumped a low free kick against the inside of the post. In the dying seconds, Luke Moore found himself little space on the right hand wide and whipped over a low cross for triallist Peter Rapson to roll the ball past the prone FC United goalkeeper Sam Ashton to wrap the game up.
After the match, the ceremonies and awards. The awarding of a cup gave this game a little more bite than most pre-season friendlies, and the addition of triallists - men who are playing for a job - meant that there weren’t many tackles that were being avoided. Again, though, the most notable thing on the menu this afternoon was the mutual respect between the two clubs, both of whom have much to look forward to. Wimbledon have their work cut out in the BSP, but will benefit from being newly-promoted into a league which may see more established clubs struggling with Setanta money that they may already have spent but definitely won’t receive. FC United, meanwhile, will continue to fight their battles both on and off the pitch. The Unibond League Premier Division remains a winnable league, but their biggest goal remains a home of their own.
To an extent, what was visible off the pitch was more important than anything that could have happened on it. With Notts County supporters choosing a get rich scheme over controlling their own destiny, Wycombe Wanderers being backed into a corner by their managing director Steve Hayes and Stockport County taken out of supporter ownership after falling into administration at the end of last season, this match was a timely reminder that it doesn’t have to be bad news all of the time and a pleasing diversion from the increasingly dispiriting circus that seems to follow the game around each summer.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Judge and Rapson on target for Dons
Source: South London Press
Sunday, 26 July 2009
By Steve Bourke at Kingsmeadow
AFC Wimbledon 2 FC United of Manchester 0
GOALS, let alone wins, have been as easy to find as Tamiflu at Kingsmeadow so far this pre-season, yet AFC Wimbledon boss Terry Brown was less than enthused about his sides two-goal victory on Saturday.
The Dons reclaimed the Supporters Direct Cup as second half goals from captain Ben Judge and 17-year-old Peter Rapson ensured a 2 – 0 triumph over old foes FC United of Manchester.
A tame first half, which saw James Pullen produce a spectacular penalty save, was followed by a more rigorous second 45 minutes from the home side.
Ricky Wellard was the only new recruit in a strong and familiar starting 11. But Brown was quick to praise the impact of his second half substitutes, among them, trialist centre forward Calum Willock.
For a full match report and Brown’s thoughts - buy the South London Press on Tuesday.
Sunday, 26 July 2009
By Steve Bourke at Kingsmeadow
AFC Wimbledon 2 FC United of Manchester 0
GOALS, let alone wins, have been as easy to find as Tamiflu at Kingsmeadow so far this pre-season, yet AFC Wimbledon boss Terry Brown was less than enthused about his sides two-goal victory on Saturday.
The Dons reclaimed the Supporters Direct Cup as second half goals from captain Ben Judge and 17-year-old Peter Rapson ensured a 2 – 0 triumph over old foes FC United of Manchester.
A tame first half, which saw James Pullen produce a spectacular penalty save, was followed by a more rigorous second 45 minutes from the home side.
Ricky Wellard was the only new recruit in a strong and familiar starting 11. But Brown was quick to praise the impact of his second half substitutes, among them, trialist centre forward Calum Willock.
For a full match report and Brown’s thoughts - buy the South London Press on Tuesday.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Set your own price at FC United
Friday 24 July ~
Football clubs have tried all sorts of schemes to boost attendances so they might consider borrowing an idea from a certain Unibond League club. In a bid to reverse consecutive annual financial losses and to help out cash-strapped supporters, FC United, the fan owned club formed in 2005 by disaffected Manchester United followers, have introduced a “Pay what you can afford” season ticket policy for 2009-10.
This summer FC supporters were invited to choose their price in the hope of the club raising upwards of £125,000, a figure that would help cover their substantial operating costs, including the £80,000 annual rent of Bury’s Gigg Lane ground, and cut recent worrying deficits. As the club acknowledge, they could not “continue to incur [the] losses” they had suffered over the past two years, nor could they continue to rely on additional donations from generous fans on top of £10 memberships and season tickets. For this season’s scheme a minimum price of £90 was set - approval had to be sought from the club to pay any less - with the club recommending people pay £140, the cost last year.
Happily, then, as the new season approached the target was all but reached – £110,000 by the end of last month, likely surpassed soon after. “Amazing... we've broken the £100,000 pledge barrier” exclaimed one of the club‘s many Twitter updates in July. The offer has allowed FC to remain faithful to their philosophy of “providing affordable football”, while crucially now being able to operate on a sounder financial footing, particularly as plans for a new stadium nearer the centre of Manchester progress. Overall it highlights two satisfactions of the supporter-owned model that governs the club.
First, how an innovative approach to an often sensitive issue has been provided by an elected, and therefore fan representative, board – making the game more accessible to supporters in the process. Scarborough Athletic, the club formed by fans two years ago following the demise of Scarborough FC, also have the same policy for their season tickets this year. Not surprising, according to Kevin Rye of Supporters Direct: “It’s no coincidence that supporter-owned clubs like FC United and Scarborough are pioneering the really innovative ideas. From the start both have been at the forefront of making football affordable. This is an idea, during difficult financial times, that’s innovative, radical and right.” Sadly, no club in the Football League has followed suit, though 19 games at Blackburn Rovers will cost from only £199 this year for adults.
Second, it represents a refreshing level of transparency in FC’s operations. In contrast to other clubs who reveal their season-ticket prices without any consultation with supporters, FC featured a season-ticket revenue barometer on their website providing interested parties with a frequently updated running total – the virtual equivalent to a rain-sodden wooden gauge hammered unevenly into a hospital lawn. Doubtless for some it added exciting drama to the close season.
There is a precedent for this approach. In 2007-08 Bradford City experimented with reduced season ticket prices, subscribing to the notion that cheaper seats - £138 per adult - would lead to increased sales and a fuller stadium. It worked: 8,694 average attendance in 2006-07 before the reduction, 13,735 after, even in a lower division. And last year Huddersfield Town sold adult tickets for as low as £100 as part of their centenary celebrations. Though some of course continue to increase their prices: Manchester United, for instance, will cost around £20 more in 2009-10. But nothing has been as bold as FC and AFC Scarborough’s offer.
Despite the ill feeling sometimes directed towards FC United – recently from Richard Scudamore, chairman of the Premier League who wrongly suggested that they were more expensive to watch than Bolton Wanderers – the club continue to demonstrate their value to the modern game in this country. Tom Whitworth
Football clubs have tried all sorts of schemes to boost attendances so they might consider borrowing an idea from a certain Unibond League club. In a bid to reverse consecutive annual financial losses and to help out cash-strapped supporters, FC United, the fan owned club formed in 2005 by disaffected Manchester United followers, have introduced a “Pay what you can afford” season ticket policy for 2009-10.
This summer FC supporters were invited to choose their price in the hope of the club raising upwards of £125,000, a figure that would help cover their substantial operating costs, including the £80,000 annual rent of Bury’s Gigg Lane ground, and cut recent worrying deficits. As the club acknowledge, they could not “continue to incur [the] losses” they had suffered over the past two years, nor could they continue to rely on additional donations from generous fans on top of £10 memberships and season tickets. For this season’s scheme a minimum price of £90 was set - approval had to be sought from the club to pay any less - with the club recommending people pay £140, the cost last year.
Happily, then, as the new season approached the target was all but reached – £110,000 by the end of last month, likely surpassed soon after. “Amazing... we've broken the £100,000 pledge barrier” exclaimed one of the club‘s many Twitter updates in July. The offer has allowed FC to remain faithful to their philosophy of “providing affordable football”, while crucially now being able to operate on a sounder financial footing, particularly as plans for a new stadium nearer the centre of Manchester progress. Overall it highlights two satisfactions of the supporter-owned model that governs the club.
First, how an innovative approach to an often sensitive issue has been provided by an elected, and therefore fan representative, board – making the game more accessible to supporters in the process. Scarborough Athletic, the club formed by fans two years ago following the demise of Scarborough FC, also have the same policy for their season tickets this year. Not surprising, according to Kevin Rye of Supporters Direct: “It’s no coincidence that supporter-owned clubs like FC United and Scarborough are pioneering the really innovative ideas. From the start both have been at the forefront of making football affordable. This is an idea, during difficult financial times, that’s innovative, radical and right.” Sadly, no club in the Football League has followed suit, though 19 games at Blackburn Rovers will cost from only £199 this year for adults.
Second, it represents a refreshing level of transparency in FC’s operations. In contrast to other clubs who reveal their season-ticket prices without any consultation with supporters, FC featured a season-ticket revenue barometer on their website providing interested parties with a frequently updated running total – the virtual equivalent to a rain-sodden wooden gauge hammered unevenly into a hospital lawn. Doubtless for some it added exciting drama to the close season.
There is a precedent for this approach. In 2007-08 Bradford City experimented with reduced season ticket prices, subscribing to the notion that cheaper seats - £138 per adult - would lead to increased sales and a fuller stadium. It worked: 8,694 average attendance in 2006-07 before the reduction, 13,735 after, even in a lower division. And last year Huddersfield Town sold adult tickets for as low as £100 as part of their centenary celebrations. Though some of course continue to increase their prices: Manchester United, for instance, will cost around £20 more in 2009-10. But nothing has been as bold as FC and AFC Scarborough’s offer.
Despite the ill feeling sometimes directed towards FC United – recently from Richard Scudamore, chairman of the Premier League who wrongly suggested that they were more expensive to watch than Bolton Wanderers – the club continue to demonstrate their value to the modern game in this country. Tom Whitworth
Far east trip ends in defeat for FC
July 23, 2009
FC UNITED'S first ever trip to the far east ended in disappointment on Saturday as they lost 3-0 to fellow fans-owned club Bucheon FC 1995 in South Korea.
Despite the scoreline, FC, who leaked two late goals, put in a decent performance against an experienced side.
They were playing another pre-season friendly at Irlam FC as the Advertiser went to press last night, Wednesday, July 22.
This coming week’s games see FC travel to AFC Wimbledon for a Co-operative SD Cup clash on Saturday, July 25, kick-off 3pm, before playing Newsquest Cup matches at Radcliffe Borough on Monday, July 27, kick-off 7.45pm, and against Bury at Gigg Lane on Wednesday, July 29, kick-off 7.45pm.
Meanwhile, FC have been drawn at Sheffield, Flixton or Winsford in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday, September 12.
They will visit Ashton United in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy on Saturday, October 17, and their Northern Premier League Premier Division campaign will start at home to Boston United on Saturday, August 15, and end at home to Hucknall Town on Saturday, April 14, 2010.
League fixtures in full:
August 15, Boston United at home;
August 17, Bradford Park Avenue away;
August 22, Retford United away;
August 26, Marine at home;
August 29, Burscough at home;
August 31, Ossett Town away;
September 5, Kendal Town away;
September 9, Whitby Town at home;
September 15, Matlock Town away;
September 19, Guiseley at home;
September 23, Worksop Town away;
October 3, Stocksbridge Park Steels at home;
October 7, Nantwich Town at home;
October 10, Kings Lynn away;
October 14, Frickley Athletic at home;
October 27, North Ferriby United away;
November 7, Buxton at home;
November 14, Hucknall Town away;
November 21, Durham City at home;
November 28, Kendal Town at home;
December 5, Whitby Town away;
December 12, Matlock Town at home;
December 19, Guiseley away;
December 26, Ashton United away;
January 1, Ossett Town at home;
January 9, Boston United away;
January 16, Bradford Park Avenue at home;
January 23, Stocksbridge Park Steels away;
February 3, Worksop Town at home;
February 6, Nantwich Town away;
February 13, Kings Lynn at home;
February 20, Frickley Athletic away;
March 6, Buxton away;
March 20, North Ferriby United at home;
March 31, Retford United at home;
April 2, Marine away;
April 7, Ashton United at home;
April 10, Burscough away;
April 17, Durham City away;
April 24, Hucknall Town at home.
FC UNITED'S first ever trip to the far east ended in disappointment on Saturday as they lost 3-0 to fellow fans-owned club Bucheon FC 1995 in South Korea.
Despite the scoreline, FC, who leaked two late goals, put in a decent performance against an experienced side.
They were playing another pre-season friendly at Irlam FC as the Advertiser went to press last night, Wednesday, July 22.
This coming week’s games see FC travel to AFC Wimbledon for a Co-operative SD Cup clash on Saturday, July 25, kick-off 3pm, before playing Newsquest Cup matches at Radcliffe Borough on Monday, July 27, kick-off 7.45pm, and against Bury at Gigg Lane on Wednesday, July 29, kick-off 7.45pm.
Meanwhile, FC have been drawn at Sheffield, Flixton or Winsford in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday, September 12.
They will visit Ashton United in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy on Saturday, October 17, and their Northern Premier League Premier Division campaign will start at home to Boston United on Saturday, August 15, and end at home to Hucknall Town on Saturday, April 14, 2010.
League fixtures in full:
August 15, Boston United at home;
August 17, Bradford Park Avenue away;
August 22, Retford United away;
August 26, Marine at home;
August 29, Burscough at home;
August 31, Ossett Town away;
September 5, Kendal Town away;
September 9, Whitby Town at home;
September 15, Matlock Town away;
September 19, Guiseley at home;
September 23, Worksop Town away;
October 3, Stocksbridge Park Steels at home;
October 7, Nantwich Town at home;
October 10, Kings Lynn away;
October 14, Frickley Athletic at home;
October 27, North Ferriby United away;
November 7, Buxton at home;
November 14, Hucknall Town away;
November 21, Durham City at home;
November 28, Kendal Town at home;
December 5, Whitby Town away;
December 12, Matlock Town at home;
December 19, Guiseley away;
December 26, Ashton United away;
January 1, Ossett Town at home;
January 9, Boston United away;
January 16, Bradford Park Avenue at home;
January 23, Stocksbridge Park Steels away;
February 3, Worksop Town at home;
February 6, Nantwich Town away;
February 13, Kings Lynn at home;
February 20, Frickley Athletic away;
March 6, Buxton away;
March 20, North Ferriby United at home;
March 31, Retford United at home;
April 2, Marine away;
April 7, Ashton United at home;
April 10, Burscough away;
April 17, Durham City away;
April 24, Hucknall Town at home.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
AFC Wimbledon get ready to 'right a wrong'
Source: The Independent
By Michael Walker
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Kingston upon Thames is not a location associated with football diehards but there will be around 3,000 energised spectators at the Kingsmeadow stadium this afternoon for a pre-season meeting between the two most high-profile supporter-run start-up clubs in England: AFC Wimbledon (founded 2002) and FC United of Manchester (founded 2005).
The occasion is the Supporters Direct Cup, a friendly event with a barbecue and fund-raising auction in a week when the Chelsea captain, John Terry, who lives not far from Kingston, decides whether to accept an annual salary of around £10m from Manchester City – or £7.5m from Chelsea.
It is a reminder that there is life beyond the Premier League and beyond the skyscraper finance that sees Manchester United carry a debt estimated at £700m. As Kevin Rye of Supporters Direct, the body that helps facilitate fan takeovers of clubs, said: "The people of the two clubs meeting tomorrow are running football clubs, not multimillion pound corporations."
Rye made the point that achievement at clubs run by fans is not to be measured solely in progress on the pitch – "holistic" is the approach.
Erik Samuelson, AFC Wimbledon's chairman, agreed. Samuelson used the word "lovely" to describe his club. "If we hadn't been idealistic and romantic," he added, "we wouldn't have started this. But as we grow, it's about how we keep that culture."
Seven years after seeing the Football Association enable the old Wimbledon to move to Milton Keynes, the breakaway club is four promotions on.
This coming season AFC Wimbledon are in the Blue Square Premier division. Another promotion and they will be in the Football League, another step closer to "righting the wrong" of losing their original club. Relegated Luton Town are the opening-day visitors to Kingston. It is a 4,700 sell-out.
By Michael Walker
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Kingston upon Thames is not a location associated with football diehards but there will be around 3,000 energised spectators at the Kingsmeadow stadium this afternoon for a pre-season meeting between the two most high-profile supporter-run start-up clubs in England: AFC Wimbledon (founded 2002) and FC United of Manchester (founded 2005).
The occasion is the Supporters Direct Cup, a friendly event with a barbecue and fund-raising auction in a week when the Chelsea captain, John Terry, who lives not far from Kingston, decides whether to accept an annual salary of around £10m from Manchester City – or £7.5m from Chelsea.
It is a reminder that there is life beyond the Premier League and beyond the skyscraper finance that sees Manchester United carry a debt estimated at £700m. As Kevin Rye of Supporters Direct, the body that helps facilitate fan takeovers of clubs, said: "The people of the two clubs meeting tomorrow are running football clubs, not multimillion pound corporations."
Rye made the point that achievement at clubs run by fans is not to be measured solely in progress on the pitch – "holistic" is the approach.
Erik Samuelson, AFC Wimbledon's chairman, agreed. Samuelson used the word "lovely" to describe his club. "If we hadn't been idealistic and romantic," he added, "we wouldn't have started this. But as we grow, it's about how we keep that culture."
Seven years after seeing the Football Association enable the old Wimbledon to move to Milton Keynes, the breakaway club is four promotions on.
This coming season AFC Wimbledon are in the Blue Square Premier division. Another promotion and they will be in the Football League, another step closer to "righting the wrong" of losing their original club. Relegated Luton Town are the opening-day visitors to Kingston. It is a 4,700 sell-out.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Sugar-daddy or supporters - who do you want to run your club?
Source: Telegraph
By Paul Kelso July 23rd, 2009
Paul Kelso is the Telegraph's Chief Sports Reporter.
Who would you prefer to own your football club? A well-meaning group of supporters committed to ensuring that the club survives in perpetuity, or an anonymous investor with deep pockets ready to pump money into the club in return for a profit, but offering no guarantee as to their long-term intentions?
At Meadow Lane, the new home of Sven Goran Eriksson and venue for the most remarkable story of the close season, supporters who battled to save their club from the wreckage of a previous glitzy buy-out have just chosen the latter.
Their decision is, at face value a blow for the supporters’ trust model, a system of ownership that many believe offers clubs, particularly those in the lower leagues, an alternative to boom-and-bust and the reliance on sugar-daddies and investors whose motives are not always transparent.
Until last week Notts County was owned and run by a trust. It took control of the club in 2003, rescuing it with the help of a local benefactor from an 18-month period in administration that threatened its existence.
As is usually the case with supporter-led takeovers it was a long and gruelling battle, led by highly committed individuals who were successful only because of the support of fans locally and around the country, many of who dipped into their own pockets to save the club.
The trust inherited a mess of unpaid debts and unhappy creditors, most of the dating from a previous takeover led by American journalist Albert Scardino, husband of Dame Marjorie, chief executive of the Pearson Group that owns the Financial Times, whose brief sally into English football was well-meaning but ultimately unsuccessful.
As is often the case the supporters were the last people standing, and set about rescuing what they could from the wreckage. Adopting the trust model, a system of mutual ownership intended to give supporters a democratic voice in the running of their club, they tried to make the most of a bitter inheritance.
It has not been an easy road, with the strain of running a club burdened by debt eventually causing divisions between trust members and a public falling out between factions within the club. In this climate the arrival of Munto Finance, whoever they may be, waving a bank guarantee, was too good to resist and an overwhelming majority of trust members voted to accept their offer.
In a remarkable show of faith the trust handed over its 61% stake in the club for nothing, as well as writing off a £170,000 loan, the product of a thousand collection buckets and fundraisers.
On the face of it the decision to choose anonymous financiers over collective ownership is a blow for the trust model. Dave Boyle, chief executive of Supporters Direct, the body that promotes mutual ownership of clubs, says the underlying reasons are football’s crash-and-burn economics.
“The difficulty we have with most of the clubs that have become fully trust-owned is that many of them are picking up the pieces after a disaster,” he says. “Those that have started from scratch like AFC Wimbledon and FC United are doing brilliantly, but others like Chesterfield, York City, Exeter City and Notts County have inherited a basket case and that is tough.
“Exeter City were lucky, they drew Manchester United in the FA Cup and that gave them a windfall that cleared the debts and gave them a fresh start. Others have not been so fortunate, and the reality is that trusts often have to spend the majority of their time dealing with the mistakes of previous regimes. That can take its toll, so it is not a surprise that when individuals come along offering a way out they are tempted, but investors are generally not charitable.”
Critics of the trust model will cite Notts County as evidence that collective ownership can never compete with clubs run by executives working in a more traditional business structure. Boyle counters that the two are not mutually exclusive.
“We have always said our favoured model is Trust-owned, professionally run. Supporters should own the club and then find the best executives they can afford to run it. That remains the ideal for us. It offers clubs sanity and stability at a time when there is unease about the way money is affecting the game.”
At Meadow Lane they are about to discover first-hand which model works best.
By Paul Kelso July 23rd, 2009
Paul Kelso is the Telegraph's Chief Sports Reporter.
Who would you prefer to own your football club? A well-meaning group of supporters committed to ensuring that the club survives in perpetuity, or an anonymous investor with deep pockets ready to pump money into the club in return for a profit, but offering no guarantee as to their long-term intentions?
At Meadow Lane, the new home of Sven Goran Eriksson and venue for the most remarkable story of the close season, supporters who battled to save their club from the wreckage of a previous glitzy buy-out have just chosen the latter.
Their decision is, at face value a blow for the supporters’ trust model, a system of ownership that many believe offers clubs, particularly those in the lower leagues, an alternative to boom-and-bust and the reliance on sugar-daddies and investors whose motives are not always transparent.
Until last week Notts County was owned and run by a trust. It took control of the club in 2003, rescuing it with the help of a local benefactor from an 18-month period in administration that threatened its existence.
As is usually the case with supporter-led takeovers it was a long and gruelling battle, led by highly committed individuals who were successful only because of the support of fans locally and around the country, many of who dipped into their own pockets to save the club.
The trust inherited a mess of unpaid debts and unhappy creditors, most of the dating from a previous takeover led by American journalist Albert Scardino, husband of Dame Marjorie, chief executive of the Pearson Group that owns the Financial Times, whose brief sally into English football was well-meaning but ultimately unsuccessful.
As is often the case the supporters were the last people standing, and set about rescuing what they could from the wreckage. Adopting the trust model, a system of mutual ownership intended to give supporters a democratic voice in the running of their club, they tried to make the most of a bitter inheritance.
It has not been an easy road, with the strain of running a club burdened by debt eventually causing divisions between trust members and a public falling out between factions within the club. In this climate the arrival of Munto Finance, whoever they may be, waving a bank guarantee, was too good to resist and an overwhelming majority of trust members voted to accept their offer.
In a remarkable show of faith the trust handed over its 61% stake in the club for nothing, as well as writing off a £170,000 loan, the product of a thousand collection buckets and fundraisers.
On the face of it the decision to choose anonymous financiers over collective ownership is a blow for the trust model. Dave Boyle, chief executive of Supporters Direct, the body that promotes mutual ownership of clubs, says the underlying reasons are football’s crash-and-burn economics.
“The difficulty we have with most of the clubs that have become fully trust-owned is that many of them are picking up the pieces after a disaster,” he says. “Those that have started from scratch like AFC Wimbledon and FC United are doing brilliantly, but others like Chesterfield, York City, Exeter City and Notts County have inherited a basket case and that is tough.
“Exeter City were lucky, they drew Manchester United in the FA Cup and that gave them a windfall that cleared the debts and gave them a fresh start. Others have not been so fortunate, and the reality is that trusts often have to spend the majority of their time dealing with the mistakes of previous regimes. That can take its toll, so it is not a surprise that when individuals come along offering a way out they are tempted, but investors are generally not charitable.”
Critics of the trust model will cite Notts County as evidence that collective ownership can never compete with clubs run by executives working in a more traditional business structure. Boyle counters that the two are not mutually exclusive.
“We have always said our favoured model is Trust-owned, professionally run. Supporters should own the club and then find the best executives they can afford to run it. That remains the ideal for us. It offers clubs sanity and stability at a time when there is unease about the way money is affecting the game.”
At Meadow Lane they are about to discover first-hand which model works best.
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