Source: Manchester Evening News
Sam Williams
October 30, 2009
FC United can get their season back on track with a win at Lancaster in the FA Trophy second qualifying round, according to manager Karl Marginson.
The Rebels travel to the Giant Axe on Saturday following successive defeats to Northwich and North Ferriby, but Marginson believes his side can progress despite their recent blip.
“We conceded a poor goal early on at North Ferriby but then controlled the game,” said Marginson.
“That defeat is a kick up the backside for the players and I’m confident that we can go through,” he added.
FC go into the tie against the Unibond First Division North outfit as favourites, and Marginson thinks that will benefit his players.
“It suits us because we’ve learned to live with that tag in most of our games over the last four years,” he said.
Despite the divisional difference between the sides, Marginson expects Lancaster to provide a tough test for the Rebels as they have lost just one of their last 11 games in all competitions.
“They’re a very good team who are averaging about three goals a game at the moment, so we’ll need to work very hard and try to put them under pressure early,” said the FC boss.
Marginson, won the Trophy as a player with Macclesfield and admits he would relish the chance to lead out his FC side at Wembley next May.
“Anyone would love to go all the way,” he said, “it’s probably bigger than the FA Cup for non-league clubs because we have a realistic chance of getting to Wembley,” he said.
FC will welcome Danny Warrender back to their squad for the game after the defender came through training on Wednesday.
"Having Danny back is a big boost for us," said Marginson.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Hornets' fans run for fun and charity
Source: Rochdale Online
Date published: 30/10/2009
Fans of Rochdale Hornets put their best foot forward with a family fun run in aid of children’s charity, MedEquip4Kids.
The rugby club took part in a 5.8k sponsored fun run around Chorlton Meadows, organised by community-run club, FC United.
The money raised by Rochdale Hornets supporters will be split between MedEquip4Kids and the rugby club.
Prizes were awarded for fastest adult and fastest junior along with best fancy dress and other fun categories.
The first ‘minithon’ took place last year when FC United raised £20,000 with 100 supporters taking part. This minithon was an even bigger event as the club opened the event to fans of Rochdale Hornets and members of Trafford Athletics Club to raise money for MedEquip4Kids and their own clubs.
MedEquip4Kids provides specialist paediatric medical equipment for use in hospitals and community health teams across the region. The equipment is specifically for use in children’s wards and neo-natal units to ensure children and babies are receiving the best possible care when sick or injured.
Date published: 30/10/2009
Fans of Rochdale Hornets put their best foot forward with a family fun run in aid of children’s charity, MedEquip4Kids.
The rugby club took part in a 5.8k sponsored fun run around Chorlton Meadows, organised by community-run club, FC United.
The money raised by Rochdale Hornets supporters will be split between MedEquip4Kids and the rugby club.
Prizes were awarded for fastest adult and fastest junior along with best fancy dress and other fun categories.
The first ‘minithon’ took place last year when FC United raised £20,000 with 100 supporters taking part. This minithon was an even bigger event as the club opened the event to fans of Rochdale Hornets and members of Trafford Athletics Club to raise money for MedEquip4Kids and their own clubs.
MedEquip4Kids provides specialist paediatric medical equipment for use in hospitals and community health teams across the region. The equipment is specifically for use in children’s wards and neo-natal units to ensure children and babies are receiving the best possible care when sick or injured.
Non-league preview
Edited from: Manchester Evening News
...
FC United travel to Lancaster's Giant Axe in the FA Trophy second round on the back of consecutive defeats against Northwich and North Ferriby.
...
FC United travel to Lancaster's Giant Axe in the FA Trophy second round on the back of consecutive defeats against Northwich and North Ferriby.
From The Bolton News
Edited from: The Bolton News
...
FC United will have to overcome the disappointment of back-to-back defeats when they travel to Lancaster in the FA Trophy.
The Rebel Reds’ dreams of FA Cup glory were dashed when strikes Mark Danks, an Adam Tong own goal and Wayne Riley condemned them to a 3-0 defeat at Northwich Victoria.
“We’ve had a great run,” said FC manager Karl Marginson. “Credit to the lads for getting so far.”
There will be extra spice for the Vodkat League Cup second round clash at the weekend when Daisy Hill host Atherton LR.
Daisy, who have had an encouraging start to their season in the Vodkat North West Counties First Division, will be after upsetting their neighbours who play in a higher division.
Atherton Colls are in league action where they will be after precious league points at Oldham Boro, a side also desperate to haul themselves away from the bottom of the First Division.
...
FC United will have to overcome the disappointment of back-to-back defeats when they travel to Lancaster in the FA Trophy.
The Rebel Reds’ dreams of FA Cup glory were dashed when strikes Mark Danks, an Adam Tong own goal and Wayne Riley condemned them to a 3-0 defeat at Northwich Victoria.
“We’ve had a great run,” said FC manager Karl Marginson. “Credit to the lads for getting so far.”
There will be extra spice for the Vodkat League Cup second round clash at the weekend when Daisy Hill host Atherton LR.
Daisy, who have had an encouraging start to their season in the Vodkat North West Counties First Division, will be after upsetting their neighbours who play in a higher division.
Atherton Colls are in league action where they will be after precious league points at Oldham Boro, a side also desperate to haul themselves away from the bottom of the First Division.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Rebels must bounce back
Source: Bury Times
12:10pm Wednesday 28th October 2009
By Marc Higginson
FC United will have to overcome the disappointment of back-to-back defeats when they travel to Lancaster in the FA Trophy on Saturday.
The Rebel Reds’ dreams of FA Cup glory were dashed on Saturday when strikes by Mark Danks, an Adam Tong own goal and Wayne Riley condemned them to a 3-0 defeat at Northwich Victoria.
“We’ve had a great run,” said FC manager Karl Marginson. “Credit to the lads for getting so far.”
A miserable week continued on Tuesday night when the breakaway club were beaten 1-0 at North Ferriby in the UniBond Premier Division, with Carlos Roca missing a penalty and Dave Neville being sent-off.
Meanwhile, Marginson has strengthened his ranks with the signing of Guadeloup international midfielder Ludovic Quistin from Zamaretto League Premier Division side Hednesford Town.
Quistin, who is reputedly the cousin of Arsenal and France defender William Gallas, has played for several non-League clubs in England but most notably Weston-super-Mare, King’s Lynn, Boston United and Tamworth.
12:10pm Wednesday 28th October 2009
By Marc Higginson
FC United will have to overcome the disappointment of back-to-back defeats when they travel to Lancaster in the FA Trophy on Saturday.
The Rebel Reds’ dreams of FA Cup glory were dashed on Saturday when strikes by Mark Danks, an Adam Tong own goal and Wayne Riley condemned them to a 3-0 defeat at Northwich Victoria.
“We’ve had a great run,” said FC manager Karl Marginson. “Credit to the lads for getting so far.”
A miserable week continued on Tuesday night when the breakaway club were beaten 1-0 at North Ferriby in the UniBond Premier Division, with Carlos Roca missing a penalty and Dave Neville being sent-off.
Meanwhile, Marginson has strengthened his ranks with the signing of Guadeloup international midfielder Ludovic Quistin from Zamaretto League Premier Division side Hednesford Town.
Quistin, who is reputedly the cousin of Arsenal and France defender William Gallas, has played for several non-League clubs in England but most notably Weston-super-Mare, King’s Lynn, Boston United and Tamworth.
Foot steers Ferriby to victory
Source: SportHull.co.uk
Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 06:00
NORTH Ferriby skipper Paul Foot led his side to a third successive win as his first-minute goal helped secure a 1-0 win over FC United of Manchester.
Foot may have broken the deadlock early on, but it proved to be enough for his UniBond Premier Division play-off hopefuls.
However, it could have been a different story if former Oldham midfielder Carlos Roca had put away a second-half penalty.
But after the referee harshly awarded the spot-kick against Liam Chapman, the tricky right winger blasted it against the post.
The Villagers should already have been 2-0 ahead, but striker Alex Davidson wasted a shooting opportunity when he broke through just before half-time.
And the 20-year-old's luck did not improve after the break when he fired wide after earning a one-on-one chance.
After coming on as a late sub, Mark Whitehouse should also have done better when put through for his first chance but he saw goalkeeper Sam Ashton close him down quickly and snuffed the shot out.
That meant the Villagers had to endure an anxious spell of pressure towards the end of a match which they should have won more easily.
But the three points have taken Neil Allison's side up to eighth in the table, with games in hand on some of their rivals.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 06:00
NORTH Ferriby skipper Paul Foot led his side to a third successive win as his first-minute goal helped secure a 1-0 win over FC United of Manchester.
Foot may have broken the deadlock early on, but it proved to be enough for his UniBond Premier Division play-off hopefuls.
However, it could have been a different story if former Oldham midfielder Carlos Roca had put away a second-half penalty.
But after the referee harshly awarded the spot-kick against Liam Chapman, the tricky right winger blasted it against the post.
The Villagers should already have been 2-0 ahead, but striker Alex Davidson wasted a shooting opportunity when he broke through just before half-time.
And the 20-year-old's luck did not improve after the break when he fired wide after earning a one-on-one chance.
After coming on as a late sub, Mark Whitehouse should also have done better when put through for his first chance but he saw goalkeeper Sam Ashton close him down quickly and snuffed the shot out.
That meant the Villagers had to endure an anxious spell of pressure towards the end of a match which they should have won more easily.
But the three points have taken Neil Allison's side up to eighth in the table, with games in hand on some of their rivals.
North Ferriby 1 FC United 0
Source: Manchester Evening News
Sam Williams
October 27, 2009
FC United slumped to defeat at North Ferriby in the Unibond Premier League on Tuesday night.
The Rebels never recovered after falling behind in the first minute when North Ferriby captain Paul Foot rose unchallenged to head home from a corner.
The home side should have doubled their lead soon after but striker Alex Davidson blazed over with only Sam Ashton to beat.
Ben Deegan spurned FC’s best chance of the first half five minutes before the break as his effort was tipped over the bar.
FC were handed a golden opportunity to equalise just after half time as Phil Marsh was brought down in the area, but Carlos Roca hit the post with the penalty.
The below-par Rebels failed to create any other clear cut chances throughout the second half and were reduced to ten men in injury time after Dave Neville was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Sam Williams
October 27, 2009
FC United slumped to defeat at North Ferriby in the Unibond Premier League on Tuesday night.
The Rebels never recovered after falling behind in the first minute when North Ferriby captain Paul Foot rose unchallenged to head home from a corner.
The home side should have doubled their lead soon after but striker Alex Davidson blazed over with only Sam Ashton to beat.
Ben Deegan spurned FC’s best chance of the first half five minutes before the break as his effort was tipped over the bar.
FC were handed a golden opportunity to equalise just after half time as Phil Marsh was brought down in the area, but Carlos Roca hit the post with the penalty.
The below-par Rebels failed to create any other clear cut chances throughout the second half and were reduced to ten men in injury time after Dave Neville was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Danny Moran on a mini-riot at Northwich Vic with FC United and the fan who got away with the cuffs
Source: Manchester Confidential
Few reasonable football fans would dispute that FC United - the club formed by disaffected Manchester United fans in the wake of the Malcolm Glazer takeover - have been a breath of fresh air in the football world. Owned by the fans and committed to the finest ideals, they play football the way it should be played, backed by an army of joyously full-throated supporters.
Having progressed rapidly from their inception in the North West Counties Second Division (the tenth tier of England’s ‘football pyramid’) to the Unibond Premier League (the seventh) the current season has seen the club embark on an unprecedented FA cup run, defeating Sheffield FC, North Ferriby United and Stalybridge Celtic of the Conference North en route to a place in the fourth qualifying round and the chance of a first round draw against Football League opposition.
Saturday’s tie at Northwich Victoria saw the Rebels up against Northwich Victoria of the Conference North, but on a day of mixed weather everything seemed to go wrong. On a greasy pitch, both teams struggled to keep the ball on the ground, and FC found themselves caught between their footballing ideals and the need to grind out a result, typified by winger Carlos Roca’s constant struggles to keep his footing. The Vics meanwhile (managed by former Bury boss Andy Preece) stuck to a more prosaic game plan, muscling in from the start and feeding the ball through to forwards Mark Danks and Lee Elam as quickly as possible. FC held out until the fifty-seventh minute when FC captain Dave Chadwick conceded a penalty, bringing down Lee Elam as he broke into the box. Danks converted from the spot. Eight minutes from time, Adam Tong turned a Danks cross into his own net. The FC fans, in typical fashion, responded by singing the unfortunate centre half’s name.
It was when the third goal went in that things went awry. As FC pushed up, Northwich caught them on the break, Elam setting up substitute Wayne Riley to tap in from close range. As the Vics striker sallied by the FC fans he raised his finger to his lips to quell the away supporters, who had been dominant all afternoon. In response, two or three fans ran onto the pitch. One was led away. The other fought with the steward who intercepted him, then with the police who attempted to restrain him, first with handcuffs and then finally with leg restraints.
What happened next should serve as a warning to the excesses of self-righteousness in the stands. Emboldened by the lack of policing a crowd of fifty to a hundred FC supporters gathered round the fracas in a bid to defend ‘one of their own’ - succeeding finally in freeing the miscreant, who eventually was able to flee, albeit with a handcuff intact.
Shushing, ear-cupping and celebrating in front of opposition supporters have been all the rage this season. In August Southampton’s Ricky Lambert celebrated a penalty conversion against former club Stockport County with no little comedy (he stuck is bum out and it was funny) In September Emmanuel Adebayor ran the length of the pitch to acclaim the Arsenal fans who had rejected him, so revealing the extent of his professional insecurities.
The current popularity of the gesture might be traced back to Jose Mourinho’s reaction to the Liverpool crowd in the 2005 Carling Cup Final. Mourinho, of course, always loved to ham it up. And there’s the thing - it’s part of the pantomime. The bad guys score and then they leer. Under circumstances such as Saturday’s the authorities are understandably trying to stamp it out, but in some ways it will be a shame to see it go. When it does it will be the fault of the fans and no one else. The appropriate response – loosely speaking - is to boo and hiss.
On Sunday it came almost as a rebuke to the Murdoch-trashing grassroots to watch the beach balls rain down comically on Sky TV - as ‘Big United’ took on Liverpool at Anfield. Rafa Benitez’s superbly orchestrated victory over the man who so successfully got under his skin last term may put a temporary end to questions regarding his tenure, but the gulf between last season’s top two cannot have been more heavily underlined this past week.
Benitez’s side now lie a mere four points behind United, who also sport a depleted and unfinished team (we could argue as to the extent). But while in Manchester Fergie can afford to sit and wait until a new team comes together – possibly until the season after this – Benitez will feel the pinch whenever results go against him. A further bad run could see the wheels come off completely.
Few reasonable football fans would dispute that FC United - the club formed by disaffected Manchester United fans in the wake of the Malcolm Glazer takeover - have been a breath of fresh air in the football world. Owned by the fans and committed to the finest ideals, they play football the way it should be played, backed by an army of joyously full-throated supporters.
Having progressed rapidly from their inception in the North West Counties Second Division (the tenth tier of England’s ‘football pyramid’) to the Unibond Premier League (the seventh) the current season has seen the club embark on an unprecedented FA cup run, defeating Sheffield FC, North Ferriby United and Stalybridge Celtic of the Conference North en route to a place in the fourth qualifying round and the chance of a first round draw against Football League opposition.
Saturday’s tie at Northwich Victoria saw the Rebels up against Northwich Victoria of the Conference North, but on a day of mixed weather everything seemed to go wrong. On a greasy pitch, both teams struggled to keep the ball on the ground, and FC found themselves caught between their footballing ideals and the need to grind out a result, typified by winger Carlos Roca’s constant struggles to keep his footing. The Vics meanwhile (managed by former Bury boss Andy Preece) stuck to a more prosaic game plan, muscling in from the start and feeding the ball through to forwards Mark Danks and Lee Elam as quickly as possible. FC held out until the fifty-seventh minute when FC captain Dave Chadwick conceded a penalty, bringing down Lee Elam as he broke into the box. Danks converted from the spot. Eight minutes from time, Adam Tong turned a Danks cross into his own net. The FC fans, in typical fashion, responded by singing the unfortunate centre half’s name.
It was when the third goal went in that things went awry. As FC pushed up, Northwich caught them on the break, Elam setting up substitute Wayne Riley to tap in from close range. As the Vics striker sallied by the FC fans he raised his finger to his lips to quell the away supporters, who had been dominant all afternoon. In response, two or three fans ran onto the pitch. One was led away. The other fought with the steward who intercepted him, then with the police who attempted to restrain him, first with handcuffs and then finally with leg restraints.
What happened next should serve as a warning to the excesses of self-righteousness in the stands. Emboldened by the lack of policing a crowd of fifty to a hundred FC supporters gathered round the fracas in a bid to defend ‘one of their own’ - succeeding finally in freeing the miscreant, who eventually was able to flee, albeit with a handcuff intact.
Shushing, ear-cupping and celebrating in front of opposition supporters have been all the rage this season. In August Southampton’s Ricky Lambert celebrated a penalty conversion against former club Stockport County with no little comedy (he stuck is bum out and it was funny) In September Emmanuel Adebayor ran the length of the pitch to acclaim the Arsenal fans who had rejected him, so revealing the extent of his professional insecurities.
The current popularity of the gesture might be traced back to Jose Mourinho’s reaction to the Liverpool crowd in the 2005 Carling Cup Final. Mourinho, of course, always loved to ham it up. And there’s the thing - it’s part of the pantomime. The bad guys score and then they leer. Under circumstances such as Saturday’s the authorities are understandably trying to stamp it out, but in some ways it will be a shame to see it go. When it does it will be the fault of the fans and no one else. The appropriate response – loosely speaking - is to boo and hiss.
On Sunday it came almost as a rebuke to the Murdoch-trashing grassroots to watch the beach balls rain down comically on Sky TV - as ‘Big United’ took on Liverpool at Anfield. Rafa Benitez’s superbly orchestrated victory over the man who so successfully got under his skin last term may put a temporary end to questions regarding his tenure, but the gulf between last season’s top two cannot have been more heavily underlined this past week.
Benitez’s side now lie a mere four points behind United, who also sport a depleted and unfinished team (we could argue as to the extent). But while in Manchester Fergie can afford to sit and wait until a new team comes together – possibly until the season after this – Benitez will feel the pinch whenever results go against him. A further bad run could see the wheels come off completely.
Monday, October 26, 2009
FC United are on their way up
Source: The Sun
From NEIL CUSTIS at Marston Arena
FA CUP dreams may be over but FC United claim their meteoric rise up the pyramid will continue.
The club, born out of frustration with the Glazers' takeover of Old Trafford, played the biggest game of their four-year history on Saturday.
A 3-0 defeat at Northwich robbed them of a place in the first round proper.
But roared on by 2,000 visiting fans in a crowd of 2,615, they will now turn their attention to another promotion with League football their ultimate aim.
FC United currently inhabit the seventh tier of English football in the UniBond League Premier Division.
This after three straight promotions was halted by a sixth-place last season.
They are guided by manager Karl Marginson, or "Margentina" as the FC faithful chant.
An ex-player with Macclesfield, he, like the rest of the club's founding members, was a Stretford End stalwart who was disaffected by the Glazers plunging United into £700million debt.
FC United is not anti-United - it is simply anti-Glazer.
The fans still sing United songs and Marginson said: "We all have feelings for the club.
"It was a tough and emotional decision for a lot of people not to go to Old Trafford any more.
"I couldn't stand seeing my club, that won the European Cup in 1999 and was worth £1billion, go into massive debt.
"They make profits of £80million a year, yet half of that goes straight out the window, not to pay off that debt, just to service the interest. It's ridiculous."
Their top attendance has been an incredible 6,023 for a match with Great Harwood Town in April 2006.
The club groundshares with Bury FC but is in talks with Manchester council to get a ground of their own.
Northwich, a league above in Blue Square North, blew away FC United in the second half with a Mark Danks penalty, Adam Tong own-goal and Wayne Riley stoppage-time strike.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2698834/FC-United-are-on-their-way-up.html#ixzz0V2Fxg3C3
From NEIL CUSTIS at Marston Arena
FA CUP dreams may be over but FC United claim their meteoric rise up the pyramid will continue.
The club, born out of frustration with the Glazers' takeover of Old Trafford, played the biggest game of their four-year history on Saturday.
A 3-0 defeat at Northwich robbed them of a place in the first round proper.
But roared on by 2,000 visiting fans in a crowd of 2,615, they will now turn their attention to another promotion with League football their ultimate aim.
FC United currently inhabit the seventh tier of English football in the UniBond League Premier Division.
This after three straight promotions was halted by a sixth-place last season.
They are guided by manager Karl Marginson, or "Margentina" as the FC faithful chant.
An ex-player with Macclesfield, he, like the rest of the club's founding members, was a Stretford End stalwart who was disaffected by the Glazers plunging United into £700million debt.
FC United is not anti-United - it is simply anti-Glazer.
The fans still sing United songs and Marginson said: "We all have feelings for the club.
"It was a tough and emotional decision for a lot of people not to go to Old Trafford any more.
"I couldn't stand seeing my club, that won the European Cup in 1999 and was worth £1billion, go into massive debt.
"They make profits of £80million a year, yet half of that goes straight out the window, not to pay off that debt, just to service the interest. It's ridiculous."
Their top attendance has been an incredible 6,023 for a match with Great Harwood Town in April 2006.
The club groundshares with Bury FC but is in talks with Manchester council to get a ground of their own.
Northwich, a league above in Blue Square North, blew away FC United in the second half with a Mark Danks penalty, Adam Tong own-goal and Wayne Riley stoppage-time strike.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2698834/FC-United-are-on-their-way-up.html#ixzz0V2Fxg3C3
Sunday, October 25, 2009
FC United of Manchester's FA Cup dream ended by Northwich Victoria
Source: The Guardian
Northwich Victoria 3-0 FC United of Manchester
* David Hopps at the Victoria Ground
* guardian.co.uk, Saturday 24 October 2009 19.58 BST
At the Victoria Ground, tucked behind Northwich Asphalt, a little piece of football history stubbornly failed to materialise. This was the day that Football Club of Manchester, the grassroots club formed by disaffected Manchester United supporters, imagined that they might reach the FA Cup first round for the first time. Instead, the game turned against them on a disputed penalty, a tough reminder that it is one thing to begin to lay the asphalt, quite another to extend the road to its final destination.
Eric Cantona even expressed the hope last year that the club might win the European Cup in 50 years' time, but upward momentum was halted, temporarily at least, by Mark Danks, a former England U15 international and FA Trophy winner with Hednesford, who rolled in a 57th-minute penalty after Adam Tong had brought down Lee Elam. Tong's misery was complete eight minutes from time when he clumped an own goal past his goalkeeper.
Among FCUM's vociferous supporters, there was dismay. "I thought he got the ball," bemoaned one regular. "He normally gets the ball." There were chances to equalise, Jerome Wright bringing a fine save from Curtis Aspden, but as a rainbow briefly appeared above the asphalt plant, it was Northwich who retained hopes of an FA Cup pot of gold.
Three back-to-back promotions have taken FCUM to the Unibond League Premier Division. But it is getting harder. They lie only in mid-table this season and it had been their progress to the FA Cup fourth qualifying round that had brought the greatest cause for optimism this term. Their heroics against Stalybridge Celtic in the previous round are on YouTube. "Jerome Wright smacks the shit out of the ball to put FCUM into the fourth qualifying round,'' it says.
"We've had a great run,'' said FCUM's manager Karl Marginson. "Credit to the lads for getting so far.''
Since the club were formed in protest at the Malcolm Glazer takeover, with a commitment to one-member-one-vote and community involvement, it is amazing that others have not followed. Considering the Tom and Jerry routine of Tom Hicks and George Gillett, you would have thought that FC Liverpool would have been a gimme.
But it is not just Premier League clubs who can live a crazed existence. Northwich Victoria have 130 years of history, but they too are an example of what happens to a town's football club when they lose touch with the community, and with reality.
Northwich need the money more than FCUM do. The club is in administration, the Inland Revenue remain unhappy and creditors are being offered 25 per cent. The owner, Jim Rush, talks of having invested £350,000 since assuming control two years ago and promises that a consortium is on the verge of buying the Victoria Stadium for £1.5m.
The arrival of FCUM swelled the crowd to 2.615, the largest since Rush assumed control, and Northwich played enough decent football maybe to tempt back a few casual fans. The decision to segregate the supporters, though, caused a few problems with the half-time raffle. "Come and see me in the main stand for the winning ticket,'' said the PA announcer. "But maybe you can't get to me because of segregation. Bring a steward.''
FCUM's principles have rightly brought political approval. Earlier this year, Andy Burnham, in his time as minister for culture, media and sport, praised them for "defying the odds'' in setting up "a genuine democratic, community-based club".
There again, it is best not to get too carried away with political approval for the grassroots in a week when another former sports minister, Richard Caborn, the head of the 2018 World Cup bid committee, has spent a week overseeing the wooing of wives of the Fifa voting committee with Mulberry designer handbags.
Northwich, one tier above FCUM in the Conference North, fully merited this victory. As defeat became inevitable, behind the goal one banner proclaimed "FCUM – MUFC – I Got Love Enough For Two.'' But for how much longer?
Northwich Victoria 3-0 FC United of Manchester
* David Hopps at the Victoria Ground
* guardian.co.uk, Saturday 24 October 2009 19.58 BST
At the Victoria Ground, tucked behind Northwich Asphalt, a little piece of football history stubbornly failed to materialise. This was the day that Football Club of Manchester, the grassroots club formed by disaffected Manchester United supporters, imagined that they might reach the FA Cup first round for the first time. Instead, the game turned against them on a disputed penalty, a tough reminder that it is one thing to begin to lay the asphalt, quite another to extend the road to its final destination.
Eric Cantona even expressed the hope last year that the club might win the European Cup in 50 years' time, but upward momentum was halted, temporarily at least, by Mark Danks, a former England U15 international and FA Trophy winner with Hednesford, who rolled in a 57th-minute penalty after Adam Tong had brought down Lee Elam. Tong's misery was complete eight minutes from time when he clumped an own goal past his goalkeeper.
Among FCUM's vociferous supporters, there was dismay. "I thought he got the ball," bemoaned one regular. "He normally gets the ball." There were chances to equalise, Jerome Wright bringing a fine save from Curtis Aspden, but as a rainbow briefly appeared above the asphalt plant, it was Northwich who retained hopes of an FA Cup pot of gold.
Three back-to-back promotions have taken FCUM to the Unibond League Premier Division. But it is getting harder. They lie only in mid-table this season and it had been their progress to the FA Cup fourth qualifying round that had brought the greatest cause for optimism this term. Their heroics against Stalybridge Celtic in the previous round are on YouTube. "Jerome Wright smacks the shit out of the ball to put FCUM into the fourth qualifying round,'' it says.
"We've had a great run,'' said FCUM's manager Karl Marginson. "Credit to the lads for getting so far.''
Since the club were formed in protest at the Malcolm Glazer takeover, with a commitment to one-member-one-vote and community involvement, it is amazing that others have not followed. Considering the Tom and Jerry routine of Tom Hicks and George Gillett, you would have thought that FC Liverpool would have been a gimme.
But it is not just Premier League clubs who can live a crazed existence. Northwich Victoria have 130 years of history, but they too are an example of what happens to a town's football club when they lose touch with the community, and with reality.
Northwich need the money more than FCUM do. The club is in administration, the Inland Revenue remain unhappy and creditors are being offered 25 per cent. The owner, Jim Rush, talks of having invested £350,000 since assuming control two years ago and promises that a consortium is on the verge of buying the Victoria Stadium for £1.5m.
The arrival of FCUM swelled the crowd to 2.615, the largest since Rush assumed control, and Northwich played enough decent football maybe to tempt back a few casual fans. The decision to segregate the supporters, though, caused a few problems with the half-time raffle. "Come and see me in the main stand for the winning ticket,'' said the PA announcer. "But maybe you can't get to me because of segregation. Bring a steward.''
FCUM's principles have rightly brought political approval. Earlier this year, Andy Burnham, in his time as minister for culture, media and sport, praised them for "defying the odds'' in setting up "a genuine democratic, community-based club".
There again, it is best not to get too carried away with political approval for the grassroots in a week when another former sports minister, Richard Caborn, the head of the 2018 World Cup bid committee, has spent a week overseeing the wooing of wives of the Fifa voting committee with Mulberry designer handbags.
Northwich, one tier above FCUM in the Conference North, fully merited this victory. As defeat became inevitable, behind the goal one banner proclaimed "FCUM – MUFC – I Got Love Enough For Two.'' But for how much longer?
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