Former FC United ballboy Ben Obiora dies aged 16 after collapsing on football pitch

Ben Obiora , 16, died
after he collapsed on
a football pitch during
a match on Saturday

 Source: MEN

 A teenage footballer died after collapsing while playing for his team.

Asthma sufferer Ben Obiora, 16, fell to the pitch during a match. Attempts were made to resuscitate the former FC United ballboy in front of horrified teammates – but they proved unsuccessful and he died after being airlifted to hospital.

Devastated pals have flocked to pay tribute to Ben, who was from New Mills, Derbyshire.

He was described as ‘a terrific young man who loved his football and always had a smile’.

Ben was playing for New Mills Reserves in a match against Blazing Rag in the Hope Valley League on Saturday.

More than 1,000 people have joined a tribute page on Facebook and his school, St Thomas More in Buxton, was opened for stunned former class mates to pay their respects.

Jane Newman wrote: “So shocked and devastated by this tragic news. Ben, you were a bright, charming and cheeky young man.

“You had such a great future to look forward to. You have left a lasting mark on everyone that knew you and you will be missed terribly. Heaven has a bright new angel.”

Head teacher Brendan Hickey, wrote on the school’s website: “I am sorry to report the sad news that Ben Obiora, one of our year 11 students, passed away this afternoon. ”

A spokesman for FC United said: “We are devastated to announce that Ben Obiora, one of our ballboys until quite recently, died. Ben left ballboy duty to play regular Saturday football. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends and two of our current ballboys who are lifelong friends of Ben and played regularly at New Mills FC with him.

“Ben was a terrific young man who loved his football and always had a smile, he will be sadly missed. “

A spokesman for the Hope Valley League said: “Ben Obiara, a Dove Holes player, collapsed at the ground during a game against Blazing Rag. After treatment at the ground from the Air Ambulance, Ben was rushed by ambulance to hospital but tragically he did not revive.

“The League extends their sincere condolences to Ben’s family and friends and would request that all teams hold a period of silence in respect of Ben, a sixteen year old youth from Buxworth who just wanted to play football.”

FC United plan to hold a minute’s silence before their next match as a mark of respect for Ben.

A post mortem is expected to be carried out shortly.

Northwich Victoria fans' protest is supported by their FC United of Manchester counterparts

FC United of Manchester
followers supporter their
Vics counterparts during
Saturday's protest.
Picture: Paul Simpson.

 Source: Northwich Guardian

 FOOTBALL supporters called for change in how their favourite club is run at a protest during their team’s final match of the season on Saturday.

Northwich fans held aloft red cards to show their anger at how the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League outfit, expelled from the competition last week, has been managed in recent seasons.

Followers of their opponents and hosts, FC United of Manchester, sang their support during the contest at Bury’s Gigg Lane.

Vics owner Jim Rushe, sat metres away from fans of his club, responded by taking a piece of the same coloured card from his pocket and waving his while they did.

He had earlier repeated the gesture before the game while stood pitch side.

Northwich fan Mark Riding organised the demonstration, dubbed the 1874 Protest in reference to the year in which Vics were formed.

“I’ve got huge respect for the FC United fans for taking part and supporting our message,” he said afterwards.

“There were many more than just me involved in the protest’s organisation in the end, and I’m grateful to everybody that helped.”

He arranged for fans to raise their red cards after 18 minutes of the Premier Division encounter.

They did exactly that, Vics fans chanted ‘We want change’ while hundreds of their FC United counterparts replied with cries of ‘Green Army’ in reference to the visitors’ traditional colours.

The message was the same when the clock reached 74 minutes, this time the Rebels’ fans responding with cries of ‘Take control’.

It was then that Mr Rushe, laughing, held aloft his red card.

He left the ground with his family shortly afterwards.

Not all Northwich supporters at the game took part in the protest, trying instead to drown out fellow fans with slogans of their own.

Vics, who lost the match 4-1, were kicked out of the league last Friday after officials found the club guilty of breaking finance rules.

The team has been barred from playing in the promotion play-offs as part of the punishment.

An FA panel listens to the club’s appeal on Tuesday.

By Andrew Simpson

FC United punish Northwich Victoria's defensive errors to run out convincing winners

Northwich midfielder Tom
Field challenges FC United's
Stephen Johnson during
Saturday's Evo-Stik NPL
Premier Division encounter.
Picture: Paul Simpson.

 Source: Northwich Guardian

 FC UNITED of Manchester’s players did what they could on the pitch to keep alive their club’s hopes of playing in next week’s promotion play-offs.

If they take part then it will be because their opponents’ appeal to be reinstated, to be heard by the FA on Tuesday, has failed.

The Rebels were emphatic winners.

For Northwich, whose supporters protested against how the club has been run in recent years, it was an afternoon – for football reasons – to forget.

If Vics owner Jim Rushe can not convince the game’s governing body that the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League is wrong to kick out the club for breaking finance rules, then it will be their last at this level for a while.

In that context it is conceivable that previously high standards – not least in defence – should slip against hosts in no mood to show mercy.

FC United need the points, plus an unlikely favour from Worksop at Hednesford, to make safe their place in the table’s top five.

Instead a stalemate in Staffordshire leaves Karl Marginson’s men, fluid when they needed to be and clinical with it, putting on hold their holidays, for now at least.

Former Northwich winger Carlos Roca might have scored as soon as the second minute, but his angled effort scraped the far post.

The home team led on 24 minutes when Jake Cottrell, with the freedom of Bury to pick his spot, thumped a rising shot past goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe after Kyle Jacobs’ raid had taken him to the touchline.

Ryan Wade’s swerved cross clipped the crossbar at the other end, but Vics were soporific as an attacking force.

Stephen Johnson, making the most of charitable defending, blasted a second goal for FC United 10 minutes after the first had arrived, this time after Vics’ backline was slow to reach a loose ball.

If the defending was sloppy for before the break, then slapstick was to follow.

The visitors failed to clear a corner soon after the restart and, after Hinchliffe had blocked an initial effort, Dominic Collins diverted Matthew Wolfenden’s prodded effort over the line via an upright.

Top scorer Michael Norton skidded a header off target from Roca’s centre, while at the other end substitute Michael Clarke should have done better than to send Nathan Woolfe’s cross skywards.

Vics’ woes worsened on the hour.

Roca glided past Graeme Law before feeding Norton, whose shot crashed against the bar before an alert Wolfenden pounced on the rebound to score.

They cruised to the finish, blotting their copybook in stoppage time when Clarke applied the finishing touch to Wade’s cross after Tony Evans flicked on.

It was a rare moment of cheer for Vics’ travelling supporters, uniting them briefly after a minority had chosen not to play a part in a protest by the contingent’s majority.

Northwich finish the season second behind champions Chester, the reward for which is usually home advantage in the play-offs.

Whether that prize will be theirs is soon to be determined.

FC United (4-5-1) Spencer (GK), Jacobs, Stott, Stones, Neville, Roca, Wolfenden, Cottrell (Grimshaw 87), Platt (Battersby 78), Johnson (Cheetham 73), Norton
Subs not used Worsnop (GK), Mulholland
Goal Cottrell 24, Johnson 34, Collins 49 (own goal), Wolfenden 61
Booked Battersby (foul)

Vics (4-3-3) Hinchliffe (GK), Law, Kearney, Collins, Fitzpatrick, Armstrong, Field (Evans 57), Roddy (Clarke 57), Wade, Budrys (Johnson 57), Woolfe
Subs not used Smyth, Abbott
Goal Clarke 45 (+2)
Booked Armstrong (foul)

Referee Ian Hussin (Liverpool)
Attendance 2,542

Northwich Victoria co-manager Alan Wright explains his players' poor performance at FC United

 Source: Northwich Guardian

 ALAN Wright admitted that Northwich Victoria’s off-field problems had affected his players’ performance on the pitch in Saturday’s heavy defeat at FC United of Manchester.

Vics’ co-manager told the Guardian that the visitors’ week – and their season if an appeal against expulsion from the Northern Premier League fails on Tuesday – had ended with a whimper.

“If it is to be our last game, then we’d have preferred to go out with more of a bang,” he said.

“As soon as we went behind, the white flag went up.”

The former Aston Villa full back revealed that his team had talked about how they had struggled to focus knowing they have been banned from competing play-offs for promotion despite finishing second in the standings.

FC United took advantage, running out emphatic 4-1 winners.

Wright said: “I feel for them because they’ve worked hard all season to finish second in the league.

“Yet it looks like they won’t get a chance to take part in the play-offs through no fault of their own.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen, nor do the players.

"It’s difficult for them, and they said as much after the game.

“I understand why they might have questioned whether to give everything.”

Substitute Michael Clarke scored in stoppage time to avoid Vics being on the end of their heaviest league defeat of the season, but by then the contest had long been over.

Wright, while unhappy with Vics’ display, saved praise for the Rebels.

“FC United are the best team I’ve seen play against us since I came to the club; how they are not guaranteed a play-offs place already is a surprise to me,” he said.

“We were ragged, and couldn’t cope with the movement of their attacking players.

“I thought we were second best all over the pitch; they were sharper and brighter than we were, and played with a greater energy.

“We lacked passion and desire, which disappointed me.”

It took Vics’ players to tell Wright, plus co-boss Martin Foyle, that the Premier Division play-offs semi finals had been postponed until next weekend.

Wright added: “There’s an awful lot gone on away from the pitch, most of which out of our hands.

“We only found out after the game, because they players let us know, that the play-offs have been put back “It’s hard to plan what to do this week, so we’ll just have to wait and see what happens with the appeal.”

Exclusive By Andrew Simpson

Northwich Victoria supporters to protest at FC United match against how their club has been run

 Source: Northwich Guardian

 NORTHWICH fans will show what they think of how the club they love has been run in recent years in a protest at tomorrow’s match.

They plan to show the red card – literally, with hundreds of coloured papers due to be given out by volunteers around the ground before kick off against FC United of Manchester – during the game to Vics owners past and present.

“Enough is enough,” said Mark Riding, the man behind what has been dubbed the 1874 Protest, a reference to the year in which Vics were formed.

“Our club has been around for close to 140 years, the past 10 of which have been disastrous off the pitch no matter who has been in charge.

“We want to send a simple message; Northwich fans are fed up of the club lurching from one crisis to another and we want that to change, now.

“This is our last chance, this season anyway, to make people aware of just how strongly we feel.”

He said that supporters, including those cheering for the hosts, will raise the red card after 18 minutes of Saturday’s Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division encounter.

They will chant ‘We want change’ while doing so.

The message will be the same when the clock reaches 74 minutes, with arms aloft once more.

Officials at FC United, plus stewards from Bury – the club which owns Gigg Lane where the Rebels host their home matches – have granted permission for the demonstration.

“I’ve organised this for the fans to have a voice,” said Mr Riding, who has watched the team since moving to Northwich a decade ago.

“The reaction so far has been really positive, including from FC United fans, so I’m hopeful we’ll succeed in letting people know how disillusioned we are.

“This is not an anti-Jim Rushe stunt; the club’s problems date to before he took over.”

Northwich were expelled from the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League last Friday after officials found the club guilty of breaking finance rules.

The team has been barred from taking part in the promotion play-offs too.

An FA panel will listen to the club’s appeal on Tuesday.

FC United need to beat Northwich, and hope Worksop spring a surprise against fifth-placed Hednesford, to make safe a place in the top five.

They currently occupy sixth spot in the standings, but could be offered Vics’ place in the play-offs if the latter’s appeal is unsuccessful.

“As a fan-owned club, FC United supports the right of fans to make their views known and we have informed Bury’s safety staff to avoid any concerns that may arise,” said a spokesman for FC United.

“We also respect the constitution of the Northern Premier League and respect the right of Northwich to appeal against the league’s decision.”

Independent fans’ group Northwich Victoria Supporters Trust issued a statement on Friday outlining their position on the planned protest.

It read: “The trust board have real sympathy with those Vics supporters who have suffered over the past few months.

“We are aware too that a large majority of fans are extremely unhappy with the way the club has been run for a number of years.

“Indeed, it has been a series of off-field matters that appear to have left our proud football club limping out of existence.

“We continue to work hard preparing for the possibility of having to start a new club in order to prolong the long history of one of the oldest clubs in Cheshire.

“The trust board has waited for contact from the club’s owner, but it has not been forthcoming. It seems then, that with the backing of a large number of supporters, that our plan will have to be implemented.”

By Andrew Simpson

Northwich Victoria co-manager Alan Wright says his team will worry only about football this weekend

 Source: Northwich Guardian

 NORTHWICH co-manager Alan Wright says he will try to keep his players' focus on football ahead of tomorrow’s crunch clash with FC United of Manchester.

It could be Vics’ last match in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League for a while if the club’s appeal against expulsion from the competition for breaking finance rules is unsuccessful.

“We’ll have to prepare as if we will be in the play-offs and if we’re not, then that’s the moment to deal with that situation,” said Wright.

“That’s not an easy thing to do, but it’s the way we have to approach both this game and next few days ahead.”

Ryan Wade’s headed winner against Bradford Park Avenue in midweek made certain that Northwich will finish as runners-up to Cheshire neighbours Chester.

However the team has been barred from the promotion play-offs unless owner Jim Rushe can convince an FA appeal panel on Tuesday that such a sanction is unjust.

Wright and co-manager Martin Foyle were told of the league’s decision in the minutes after last Friday’s defeat against Hednesford Town at Leek’s Harrison Park.

“There’s been all sorts of turmoil behind the scenes if I’m honest,” said Wright.

“Martin and I felt we’d been kept in the dark a little bit, but the chairman did at least come to us before kick off on Tuesday to explain what the situation is.

“We’re still a bit at sixes and sevens though as we don’t know what will happen next.”

The former Aston Villa full back, appointed as then caretaker manager Paul Simpson’s right hand man in February following Andy Preece’s resignation, praised the players’ reaction on the pitch in Tuesday’s 1-0 win.

By Andrew Simpson

Wade’s winner, steering Nathan Woolfe’s curved cross past Bradford custodian John Lamb with power, was not without planning either.

Wright added: “We’d been working on Ryan [Wade] arriving at the back post to get on the end of crosses. I don’t think he wanted to head it, mind!

“The back four were solid at the other end too, so it was nice to keep a clean sheet.

“I don’t think they threatened us at all, which was pleasing. We didn’t need to chase the game in the second half either as we already had our noses in front.”

FC United v Vics: preview - FC United of Manchester seek much-needed three points

 Source: Northwich Guardian

 FC United of Manchester v Northwich Victoria (Kick off 3pm)
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division
Venue Gigg Lane, Bury, BL9 9HR
Away travel Leaves memorial hall at 12.30pm (Adults £8, Concessions £6)
Admission Adults £8, Concessions (NUS/OAP) £6, U18s £2
Odds (bet365) FC United 8/11, Draw 27/10, Vics 14/5
Previous Meeting FC United 1 Vics 0 (April 9, 2011)

FC United (from) Spencer (GK), Worsnop (GK), Battersby, Jacobs, Jones, Krou, Neville, Stott, Cheetham, Cottrell, Grimshaw, Johnson, Platt, Roca, Stones, Norton, Mulholland, Wolfenden
Doubtful none
Injured none
Suspended none
Disciplinary (to end of March 2012) Y54 R7
Top scorer Michael Norton (22)
Form (Past six home in league) D L W W W W
Record (Home) P20 W10 D5 L5 F41 A24 Pt35
Record (Overall) Pos6 P41 W20 D9 L12 F79 A50 Pts69

Vics (from) Hinchliffe (GK), Collins, Disney, Fitzpatrick, Kearney, Law, Smyth, Abbott, Armstrong, Field, Roddy, Woolfe, Budrys, Clarke, Johnson, Evans, Wade
Doubtful none
Injured Riley (knee), Short (groin)
Suspended none
Disciplinary (to end of March 2012) Y50 R5
Top scorer Wayne Riley (17)
Form (Past six away in league) D W L W L W
Record (Away) P20 W13 D4 L3 F37 A20 Pt43
Record (Overall) Pos2 P41 W26 D8 L7 F72 A39 Pts83 (three points deducted)

Match pointers
FC UNITED of Manchester must beat Northwich – and hope Worksop surprise Hednesford – to make safe a place in the play-offs.

The Rebels will take part in any case if Vics’ appeal against expulsion from the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, to be held at Wembley on Tuesday, is unsuccessful.

The hosts have lost form at the wrong moment, failing to win any of their past four matches with three of those ending in defeat. It is their longest sequence without a victory this term as well.

Wednesday’s home draw with already-relegated Burscough did little to help, although it did mark the return of top scorer Michael Norton from suspension.

Northwich secured second spot in final table by beating Bradford Park Avenue in midweek, the 17th consecutive Premier Division encounter in which they have scored a goal.

Vics have a better record than anybody on the road against teams in the table’s top half, winning six of nine trips. Only champions Chester have a superior goals per game average too.

Management pair Martin Foyle and Alan Wright are likely to be without injured duo Wayne Riley (knee) and Lewis Short (groin) again, but John Disney is available after serving a three-matches ban.

Boss wants a top half finish

 Source: Matlock Mercury

 Last Saturday was a good day all round for Matlock Town and now manager Mark Atkins has issued a “let’s finish the season on a high” challenge to his players.

After the encouraging second half performance in the unlucky 2-1 defeat at Buxton on Easter Monday, the Gladiators carried on from where they left off against FC United of Manchester.

Ian Holmes put Town ahead against the play-off chasing Reds, and although an Adam Yates own goal saw FC draw level before half-time, Liam King struck the decisive blow with 17 minutes left to win all three points for Atkins’s men.

Just as satisfying as the result was the bumper attendance of 1,319 as around 900 travelling fans came down to one of their favourite venues to back their side.

“I was very pleased with the way the lads went about their work,” said Atkins. “We had a game plan and went 4-3-3 to try and combat the way FC United play. We got in amongst them and didn’t let them get into their stride and we just about deserved the win.”

This was United’s third loss on the bounce inside a week but Atkins believes they will make the play-offs, their task being made all the easier due to Northwich Victoria’s expulsion from the league at the end of the season, and their ban from the play-offs. following off-the-field difficulties.

“United are a very good side and if you finish above them then you have a very good chance of promotion,” Atkins insisted.

““I’m sure they’ll make the play-offs. but we played very well ourselves on the day. First half I was a bit disappointed as we played hoofball a little too much, but I said to the players at half-time “let’s get the ball down a bit and play” and they did.

“We created a number of good opportunities. Now the aim is to carry on in the same vein until the end of the season and secure a top half placing.”

The Gladiators played their final home match of the campaign against Whitby Town last night (Wednesday) before finishing at Rushall Olympic on Saturday.

The Pics have had a good debut season in the top flight, currently lying in ninth spot as well as reaching three cup finals.

A last-gasp penalty from Lewis McMahon gave Town a 1-0 win at the Reynolds Stadium in February.

“Rushall have done great and are a tough side to play against. It was a hard match at our place but we won and I’m confident we can go there and get something if we play like we did on Saturday,” said Atkins.

Striker Nathan Joynes is likely to be missing after his operated-on knee swelled up after two full games over Easter, forcing his exclusion last weekend. Lee Featherstone has a hamstring problem which could also force him out.

Acknowledging he has a small squad, Atkins says they deserve credit for battling on.

“We didn’t go out and bring players in around the deadline because we had the budget to consider and that is very important.

“So the players have had to battle on and some have played when not fully fit. Kris Bowler, for example, has had two knocks on his ankle plus a bad back but was still keen to pull on that blue shirt. They’ve buckled down and it was so pleasing to get a good result last Saturday.”

Fans travelling to Dales Lane on Saturday can take advantage of reduced admission prices. Adults will pay just £5 and concessions are priced at £2.50 for the final game of the season.

Matlock’s Annual Presentation Night takes place next Friday (April 27) in the Social Club. Admission is free and there will be a buffet and disco.

The Matlock Mercury-sponsored Fans Player of the Year will be announced and will be one of a number of awards made on the night.

Former Matlock striker Ross Hannah also hopes to be in attendance.

FC United promotion hopes still in the balance

 Source: MEN

 FC United's Evo-Stik Premier promotion hopes are still in the balance after they were held 1-1 by relegated Burscough at Gigg Lane on Wednesday night.

Dean Stott gave the Rebels a 44th minute lead when he blasted in a penalty awarded for a foul on Stephen Johnson.

But the visitors equalised midway through the second-half after Adam Jones's handball offered Phil Clarke the chance to level from the spot.

Marine Youth clinch championship advantage after double header with FC United ...

 Source: Crosby Herald

 MARINE Youth took a vital step towards clinching the North West Youth Association title with a double header against closest rivals FC United of Manchester, writes Colin Begbie.

Marine Youth 2 – 0 FCUM Youth

A bright but cold evening at the Arriva Stadium saw a pulsating encounter which played a big part in deciding the title.

Early action was largely in midfield as the two table topping sides battled for control. Although FCUM caused the Marine defence some problems, they were unable to capitalise and it was largely due to some wayward Marine shooting the first half ended goalless with Jack Flynn and Billy Smart proving difficult to handle. The former brought a smart save from the FCUM keeper.

Marine had a claim for a penalty turned down as the ball made contact with a defender’s arm. The linesman signalled the offence was just outside the area, but the free kick flew just wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

The second half started evenly but it was Marine who found their shooting boots. After having a goal disallowed Jack Flynn fired home to break the deadlock on the hour. The second came in the 81st minute when Jack McCluskie intercepted a ball around half way. His pass to substitute striker Paul Pruden left the defence stranded and Pruden went on to fire in top corner.

Despite some frayed tempers near the end, Marine held out for a great victory.

FCUM Youth 3 – 3 Marine Youth

The second part of this top of the table double header served up a game with everything.

FCUM raced to a 2-0 half time lead having played some good football in the process. Not to be outdone, Marine showed why they are worthy favourites for the title with a three goal burst to put them ahead.

Kevin Farrell was unchallenged as he headed a free kick home and five minutes later Matty Devine punished some hesitant defending to equalise. Paul Pruden then found space at the far post to tap home Marine’s third.

FCUM then regained the momentum with an 80th minute equaliser to set up a tense finish but Marine held out well with the only blemish the late dismissal of Billy Smart.

Marine now need four points from the remaining three games to secure the title.

Apr 19 2012

by Joe Thomas, Crosby Herald