http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/RSS.php FC United of Manchester Latest News en-GB Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:54:09 CET Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:54:09 CET http://www.fc-utd.co.uk http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=2783
But is still aiming to lose 25.0kg (4 stone) as soon as he can!

He hopes that everyone at FC will sponsor him - With all monies going to the Development Fund.

For more information please Contact Peter on 07846 030 948. ]]> Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:34:17 +0100 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=2782  
The Reds had been on a run of three successive defeats and we’re keen to erase the memory of the shock home defeat to Durham City the week before and came racing out of the blocks.
 
United went close three times in the first five minutes with Phil Marsh firing wide, and Jerome Wright putting the ball over from two half chances outside the box.

The first clear cut chance came to Wright; who along with Ludovic Quistin provided some good moves down the left, moved into the box one on one with Hucknall ‘keeper Daniel Haystead, but from the tight angle Wright could only fire into the side netting.
 
It wasn’t long until United were a goal up though and it came through an unlikely method, for the second week running Roca scored with his head! A cross from the left was headed back across the goal by Ben Deegan before Roca headed comfortably into the net to put United one up within ten minutes.
 
After this it’s fair to say united took their foot off the gas a little, and while they had some good build up play and Ben Deegan saw a header from inside the six yard box spectaculary saved by Haystead, but other than this United never really went close again in the opening session.

Perhaps this inability to put daylight between themselves and the opposition caused a sense of apprehension in the United faithful ahead of the second half, well aware that Hucknall were just one goal away from being back into things.
 
But the second period followed much of the same way as the first half with United controlling possession and looking like the only team capable of winning the game but still they couldn’t get that second goal they so desperately craved.
 
Marsh, Wright and Deegan all had half-chances well blocked by a resilient Hucknall defence, and you had to feel for Deegan a little who played his heart out and just couldn’t get the ball into the net no matter how hard he tried.
 
Chadwick again led by example all afternoon, rising for powerful headers, tough tackling and most importantly building confidence in the defence around him, and it was Chadwick who scored United’s second goal.

He saw his effort from a right sided corner blocked by team-mate Simon Carden but fortunately the ball fell back to Chadwick who fired home to give United the two goal cushion they needed, and to be truthful deserved.
 
The United defence rarely looked troubled all afternoon, and for once this season had an air of confidence about themselves that hasn’t been there all season. Indeed, this was United’s first clean sheet in six games.
 
United gave a debut to Chris Ovington , who brought an injection of pace to the game when he replaced Roca with 15 minutes remaining, and youngsters Cedric Krou and Gage Eme made late appearances and gave decent accounts of themselves in their short time on the pitch.

More than the win, the performance went a long way to erase the memory of the dismal effort the previous Saturday and that is something which the United faithful hold dearest, commitment to the club.
 
United moved back to tenth in the league with the win, just ten points off a play-off place with nine games left, but will now switch their attention to Wednesday’s crunch game with rivals Bradford Park Avenue, and know a win over the top team in the league would certainly give them a kick going into the final eight games of the season.
 
Report by Craig Phillips]]> Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:37:59 +0100 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=2780 here.

The Youth United Day team have also produced an information document which can be used to provide further information about the game to youth organisations that supporters may be involved with. This can be found here.

Please contact youthunitedday@fc-utd.co.uk for more information about Youth United Day or if you would like to get involved on the day.]]> Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:52:51 +0100 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=2779
There’s more live entertainment, nice beer, decent food and lovely people at Malcomses on Saturday. Ukelele man Bernard Kelly will be performing tracks from his critically acclaimed (by some of us listening to it in the car on the way back from the match last week) album The Dark Side of the Ukulele.

Bernard is well remembered for playing baddy Gordon the Moron in arguably the funniest ever top ten single, Jilted John by Jilted John (produced by legendary Mancunian music man Martin Hannett) in the late 70s. Gordon got the girl thus giving John his Jilted title and also stole the show with his unique dance routine on Top of the Pops firmly putting JJ in the shade. We reckon he’s now ready to put George Formby in the shade too with his darksided uke.

A cover of a Johnny Cash tune, entitled ‘Wanted Manc’ is Bernard’s story of being out and about in Manchester and is available for your ears here: http://www.afinelung.com/?p=1012

This week’s guest beer is Springhead’s Roaring Meg which Blaine sez is a straw coloured blonde ale, citrus taste with a dry finish. 5.5% abv, £2.50 for 500ml. While it lasts it will sit side by side with the usual selection of decent ales including a nice range from Joey Holt. This will be lovingly served by our lovely Agony Aunts-cum-barmaids who have all the answers to life’s problems. It would be irresponsible of us to allow you to drink on an empty stomach so we’ve the usual tater ‘ash and a veggie alternative, wimberry charlottes (if you can beat Elsie to ‘em) and back by popular demand our wonderful sec’s cakes.

Come down to Malcolms for Bernard, beer and Twomowers chatting absolute macca on the mic from 12 noooon this Satdy.

DAN T
]]> Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:34:07 +0100 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=2778
We’re very proud of the publication we put out. Everyone involved, from the writers to the sellers, works very hard to ensure FC United has the best programme in non-league football.

It’s something that marks us out as ‘different’ to many of the clubs at our level. We have the advantage of a bigger fan-base than most and a wealth of experience borne from the high quality fanzines produced by Manchester United fans over the years. Those fanzines, and the writers of them, were instrumental in the formation of FC United and consequently the production of the matchday programme.

As you will have noticed on your travels, other clubs don’t have our resources and therefore their programmes are generally not to the same standard. The programme also doubles up as a great advert for the club. First time fans, visitors, sponsors and partnership agencies are always impressed and cite the programme as a big plus point to being involved with FC United.

Unfortunately, due to a number of reasons, sales have dropped this season and we are seriously in danger of losing this particular jewel in our crown and we may be left with no choice but to turn out similar ‘standard’ programmes to other clubs next season.

Due to matches being postponed and the amount of midweek home matches we have been forced to play, we have been selling up to 200 less programmes per match.
For the same reasons crowds have been lower, overall, which obviously hits sales. But it also appears that less people are buying the programme when they do attend - we used to sell to one in two attendees, whereas this season it is closer to one in three (which is still better than most clubs, even at Premier League level). Subsequently, for the first time in the club’s history we are losing money on the matchday publication.

We have recently carried out a survey, with one aim being to find out why people are no longer buying it. One of the biggest reasons appears to be apathy. Many supporters have simply got out of the habit, or just forget. Of course, we have all experienced tough times financially and this has also left fans with less disposable income. Many prefer to buy a fair share ticket instead, if they have any change rattling round.

Today we appeal to you to help save our programme. You might regularly buy one, so we may be preaching to the converted, but do you buy one every match and do your friends?

Maybe buy a couple for mates who can no longer, or chose not to, attend games. Or take out a subscription if you can’t get to every game yourself – it’s a great way to stay in touch (see the club’s website or ask a seller how).

Why not alternate between a fair share ticket and a programme? The money going to the club is the same after-all and there’s a lot more to read in the latter.
If you think the standard has gone down, then contact us and let us know why. Or better still put pen to paper or finger to keyboard and contribute yourself. Everyone is welcome. See the contact details on the contents page and get in touch.

In the meantime, the programme team has come up with a plan for clawing back some of the deficit during the rest of the season, hence the changes. Following a very productive meeting before last weekend’s game, our excellent matchday sellers have also made a few adjustments to the way they sell, so no one can use the excuse that they can’t see them.

From now on we will be producing a 28-page programme with some black and white pages. The editors have worked out ways to provide the same amount of content, yet with four less pages being printed we will save money.

Sections of the programme, like Margy’s notes and the away team write up, will be reduced to one page to make room for other articles. We are confident we can still produce the best matchday publication at our level.

If supporters do their bit and support their programme, then we will offset our losses and continue to have a tome we can be proud of, but if people don’t buy it then we will be faced with a very sad need to reduce standards and take backward steps towards being the same as everyone else.

In Manchester we have a history for being different, radical and forward thinking, so let’s carry on in that vein and continue to do things the United way. Support the programme.

Tomorrow’s programme contains articles from Dave Boyle of Supporters Direct, a piece about a Blue and Gold campaign (not green) and an interview with new centre half Mark Ayres, where he reveals why he played at Old Trafford and how he’s got a sore gob. There’s also an opinion piece on politics in football, using Italian ultras as a backdrop. It’s a good read and a bargain at £2, which goes to your club.
]]> Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:50:52 +0100 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=2777 Sunday 25th April 2010, at 12:30pm. Registration opens at 12 noon.

The Notice of the General Meeting will be sent to members at least 21 clear days before the date of the meeting.

If you wish to submit a resolution for consideration at the GM, Rule 24 of the Club’s Constitution provides that notice of that resolution must be given in writing to the Club no later than noon 35 days before the date of the meeting, therefore by no later than noon on the 21st March 2010.

Rule 24 also provides that the member giving notice of the proposed resolution must also give the Club his or her justification for that proposed resolution, as well as its form and content, and that the notice of the resolution must be signed by the proposer as well as five other members.

The Board also asks that the members signing the proposed resolution give their full names and membership numbers, so that their memberships may be verified, and that the proposer give his or her full name, membership number and telephone number.

Any members intending to submit proposed resolutions are strongly urged to read Rule 24 of the Club’s Constitution.

Proposed resolutions, containing the information requested above, should be posted to the Club’s Registered Office:

FC United of Manchester
Hope Mills
113 Pollard Street
Manchester
M4 7JA

or sent by e-mail to: office@fc-utd.co.uk

to arrive no later than noon on the 21st March 2010.

If you are yet to renew your membership for the 2009/10 season it is not too late to do so.

Membership is £10 a year for adults or £3 for juniors under 16 and it’s easy to pay membership by lots of methods:
- Online through the club shop
- Post a completed form for each member. Downloadable form here. Send with a cheque payable to FC United to: Membership, FC United of Manchester, Hope Mill, 113 Pollard St., Manchester, M4 7JA.
- Contact the FC United Office by phoning 0161 273 8950 to pay by credit/debit card.
- Email Membership@fc-utd.co.uk with your details.
- Visit the Membership Stall outside the Megacabin at Gigg Lane on matchdays.

Membership for the 2008/09 season will be suspended at 5pm on Monday 29th March 2010 and reopen after the General Meeting.

Only members over the age of 16 and who have joined before the 29th March are able to attend and vote at the GM.
]]> Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:55:20 +0100 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=2776
The cost will be £10 for adults and £5 for juniors under 16.

Bookings can now be taken HERE or email travel@fc-utd.co.uk or by ringing the FC United office on 0161 273 8950.]]> Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:57:20 +0100 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=2775
Last season’s youth graduates Grant Shenton and Jamie Mack were joined on the bench at Matlock by Cedric Krou and Stephanos Ioannou with former youth team player of the season, Nick Swirad, who was re-signed from Rossendale in time to start the match.

"After Saturday I decided that the squad needed a shake up and the game at Matlock presented an early opportunity to blood some promising talent that we have coming through our youth structure," said Margy.

"Nick has been receiving rave reviews at Rossendale but was getting homesick and asked to be released. Jamie is an exciting talent but has been hit with a niggling injury this season. He is back in full training now. Grant is another great prospect champing at the bit for a chance between the posts."

The management team have made a number of signings this season as they have looked to improve the squad and sign cover for injuries and absences but not every signing has worked out as hoped and Adriano ‘Celi’ Riggoglioso has been released.

Margy explained: "Celi has been really unlucky, he is undoubtedly a quality player but his FC debut included a harsh sending off and the resulting suspension coincided with the worst winter in living memory and Celi had no real time on the pitch to show us what he could do.

"As he acknowledged himself in the programme recently, these things happen in football and after a long chat we reluctantly decided to release him; the squad needs to develop in a different direction and he understands the situation, he is a great lad, very honest and I am genuinely sorry things turned out as they did."

‘We are still looking to improve our squad and there are specific areas that we know we need to strengthen but you cannot always sign the players you need when you need them. Sometimes you have to be patient and that is not always easy for coaches or supporters."

Swirad has featured in a number of FC United first team games already this season so fans were no doubt pleased to see him back at the club on Tuesday against Matlock. Swirad came through the FC United youth team and played in the Manchester College side coached by Margy.

With Cedric Krou and Stephanos Ioannou making their FC debuts against Matlock it is clear that the talent runs deeper. Margy has great hopes for a number of other players in the current youth squad with striker Gage Eme signing UniBond forms this week.

"I think Cedric and Steph showed real promise on Tuesday night and they could be pressing some of the established lads for places in the team quite soon but there will be more to come yet."

Cedric Krou is just 18-years-old and came to Manchester to study English. Born and raised in Paris, the strapping centre-half learnt his footballing trade at Paris St Germain and impressed at Matlock with his willingness to play the ball and he showed a good turn of pace.

Stephanos Ioannou is a 17-year-old Greek Cypriot midfielder, since coming to England two or three years ago Steph has been on trial at a variety of clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers. He is currently lodging with the father of FC United player Angelos Tsikalis.

"There are a number of our young players that I would have no hesitation pitching in to a first team game and I might blood a few more before the end of the season," said Margy.

Another person leaving the club is goalkeeper coach Joe Paladino who is taking up the post of assistant to John Hughes at Rossendale. Paladino said: "I really want to thank everyone at FC United for the way that I was made to feel welcome and I will certainly be back cheering on as a fan. FC is a great club and I have a tremendous respect for Margy and what the staff and board are trying to do."]]> Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:06:13 +0100 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=2774
Goals from captain David Chadwick, Phil Marsh and Jerome Wright proved not to be enough on a frustrating night in the Peak District but the players can take heart from a performance infinitely better than Saturday’s defeat against Durham.

Manager Karl Marginson made a few changes with a recalled Nick Swirad playing alongside Chadwick and Marsh was restored to an attacking position with James Holden taking the right back slot.

United had the first chance of the game inside 20 seconds with Wright shooting just wide. The Reds started the game like a high-speed train with Ben Deegan heading over the bar and a goalmouth scramble ending with the ball being tipped up and onto the woodwork by the home keeper.

It looked like just a matter of time before FC would take the lead and it came on 15 minutes with Chadwick heading in a Wright corner from the left.

The chances continued to flow for FC with Marsh having a powerful drive well tipped over by Sollitt in the Matlock goal. There was an alarm at the other end however, when Ashton missed his punch and Mark Haran headed over.

The Reds thought they had increased their lead on 37 minutes when a free-kick from the left was headed in by Chadwick only for the linesman to flag for a push.

The mistakes that have typified the season so far reared their ugly heads again five minutes before half-time when a through ball was missed by Chadwick, allowing the prolific Hannah through on goal. As expected, he made no mistake slipping the ball under Ashton to equalise. The half ended with a Wright shot which was tipped over by Sollitt.

The second half started in the same vein as the first with an FC goal. The ball was played over the top of the home defence by Ashton for Marsh who coolly lobbed the keeper to restore United’s lead. Sadly the lead lasted just five minutes when a good run down the Matlock right ended with a cross that was slotted home by Steve Warne.

Disaster struck FC just three minutes later when a ball punted down the pitch by Sollitt deceived the United defence. Ashton misjudged an extraordinarily high bounce leaving Hannah with a simple task of tapping the ball into an empty net to make it 3-2.

The half continued to ebb and flow with both team committed to attack and United were rewarded with an equaliser on 67 minutes. Deegan collected from Marsh and powered forward before the ball broke loose, falling to Wright on the edge of the area who struck a sweet shot that the keeper could only parry into the goal.

Just as it looked like a draw would be the outcome, Matlock found a winner. With just more than 10 minutes to go, a long ball forward wasn’t dealt with by the United defence and Ashton was forced to bring down the Matlock attacker. The referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty, which Hannah stroked home to claim his hat-trick and win the game for the home side.

So all in all, a very frustrating night for FC, but the spectre of Saturday’s defeat to Durham was probably exorcised thanks to a spirited performance that probably deserved better than a defeat.

Report by Steven Wood

Matlock Town
16th March 2010
Played at: Causeway Lane
UniBond League Premier

Lost: 4-3
Half Time: 1-1
Attendance: 562

FC United
1. S Ashton (cautioned 79)
2. J Holden
3. L Quistin
4. J Cottrell
5. D Chadwick (capt)
6. N Swirad
7. C Roca
8. S Carden
9. B Deegan (cautioned 67)
10. J Wright
11. P Marsh
Subs
12. S Ioannou (for 2 89)
13. G Shenton
19 A Tsiaklis
15 C Krou (for 6 73)
16 J Mack

Scorers: Chadwick 15, Marsh 48, Wright 67

Matlock Town
1. A Sollitt
2. A Yates
3. L Featherstone
4. L King
5. M Haran
6. J Lukic (capt)
7. N Benger
8. S Warne
9. N Joynes
10. R Hannah (cautioned 73)
11. S Brough
Subs
12. D Wood (for 4 68)
13.
14. D Cropper (for 9 77)
15. B Algar (for 2 54)
16. J Hall
17. N Buxton

Scorers: Hannah 40 56 79 pen, Warne 54
]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:12:13 +0100 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=2773
Game 1

Both sides quickly settled into playing some excellent passing football but it was Audenshaw who were first to strike scoring two goals in quick succession. However the Outcasts came straight back and drew level by half-time. Audenshaw came out the stronger in the second half scoring two more goals to take an early advantage in the tournament with a 4-2 victory.

Game 2

This game was a much cagier affair than the first with chances few and far between. The Outcasts converted one of the rare first-half chances with a fine volleyed effort from Ray Atherton to take a 1-0 lead into the interval. Sadly the Outcasts were unable to hold onto this lead with Audenshaw replying with the only goal of the half meaning the game finished in a 1-1 draw.

Game 3

The final game began with the Outcasts needing a victory to take the tournament to a penalty shoot-out and they duly notched an early goal. For the rest of the game Audenshaw pressed for the equaliser but they were thwarted by a combination of great last-ditch defending and wasteful finishing. So with the final result 1-0 to the Outcasts the tournament was tied and was therefore decided by the dreaded penalty shoot-out. The first penalty takers from both sides blew their chances, but the next three Audenshaw penalty takers all confidently slotted home their spot kicks and with further misses from the Outcasts Audenshaw emerged as overall victors of the tournament. After the game everyone headed off to watch the FC match, sadly that part of the day did not go as planned!

Community Cohesion tournaments and fixtures are hosted regularly at Goshen Sports Centre in Bury before FC United home Saturday fixtures, for further information or If you have a team who would be interested in taking part in the tournament please contact robinpye@fc-utd.co.uk.

Keep checking the new FC United in the community website at www.fc-utd.co.uk/community.php for more updates on the club’s latest community work as well as reports and photos from previous FCUM community activities.

]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:33:45 +0100 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=2772
Come along and get to know fellow supporters in your area - all welcome.

This month’s special guest is Margy.

For more information please Contact Peter Burke on 07846 030 948.]]> Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:04:41 +0100 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=2771 0264.

The lucky winner is Wayne Clark.

The draw was made by Steve Evets at half time on Saturday 13th March 2009.

Thanks to Yvonne, Ruth, Angela and Emma for helping to sell tickets and raise £613 for the Development Fund.]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:26:56 +0100 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=2770
Despite enduring what must have been a frustrating and ultimately disappointing afternoon for them, to then stand and applaud the young city side as they left the field, which in the circumstances took some time, was a wonderful gesture especially when many other supporters may have barracked their own side in similar situations.

True Sportsmanship !



]]> Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:03:11 +0100 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=2769
As the club is making progress with the search for our own ground, we are now fast-approaching an all-hands-to-the-pump situation. This requires everyone to step forward and help where they can if we are to raise the necessary funds. If you can spare the time next Thursday night you will be very much welcomed.
]]> Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:56:29 +0100 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=2768
The important game of the day finished in a 1-1 draw, with FC taking a first half lead only to see a late equaliser conceded and produce the third draw in open play between the clubs this season.

Supporters familiar with St Bride’s will be aware that no matter how spring-like the conditions, there will be a cold wind that blows in from Stretford Road and along the pitch. FC United chose to play with that wind in the first half and used it to push Woodley back and dominate play. Corner after corner was fired in with the wind to test the Woodley defence.

In the third minute Roshgar Mousa tested Joe Mallalieu in the Woodley goal and although his clearance was worked downfield for Ryan Eiselt to come close with a shot over the bar, that was the only real threat of the half from the visitors. Roshgar headed on to the bar from a Stephanos Ioannou cross shortly afterward.

Carl Fitton produced an excellent display as an attacking fullback on the left, accelerating past the Woodley defence at will. Only wayward finishing stopped FC from taking a commanding lead into the interval. Josh Burke saw a shot well saved in the 35th minute whilst Stephanos and Nyle Walker were equally unfortunate at half time. The goal they did score was fired in by Stephanos from the edge of the box in the 30th minute and was possibly not his cleanest strike of the day.

The second half started in much the same way, with Nyle Walker having a shot saved in the opening minutes. Slowly however, Woodley started to find a way into the game as a feint touch by Joe Grantham turned a goal bound shot onto the crossbar shortly afterwards. The bar was soon rattled at the other end as a free kick was headed down by Dylan Moloney for Roshgar to turn and shoot.

FC United continued to extend their advantage without success and Woodley had keeper Mallelieu to thank for preventing that, until the 75th minute. The equaliser came when a Woodley player saw his shot cannon back off the post and fired home the rebound. The linesman closest to the action had instantly flagged when the ball hit the net, giving all concerned reason to believe that there was an offside call to rule out the goal. It was however merely a call for clarification with the referee and the goal was given.

Both sides spent the remaining minutes chasing a winner; Woodley brought some fine saves from Grantham, who despite finishing the game hampered by a groin strain kept them at bay. Efforts from FC, whilst testing the keeper looked less likely to produce a winner. The final whistle blew after around seven minutes injury time, mostly for treatment to Grantham, with honours even and perhaps deservedly so.

FC United of Manchester

Joe Grantham, Davison Banda, Carl Fitton, Jordan Dainty, Ferre Edwards, Dylan Moloney, Josh Burke, Luke Kolakowski (Ibukun Modupe-Ojo 84 mins), Roshgar Mousa (Ryan Lyons 90mins), Stephanos Ioannou (Cautioned 90 mins), Nyle Walker. Subs not used Alex Clarke, Andy Graham, Paul McIntyre

Goal - Stephhanos Ioannou
]]> Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:11:03 +0100