http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/RSS.php FC United of Manchester Latest News en-GB Thu, 17 May 2012 04:23:53 CEST Thu, 17 May 2012 04:23:53 CEST http://www.fc-utd.co.uk http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=4241
Centre-back Adam Jones collected several awards for his first season with the Reds including the coveted Russell Delaney Supporters’ Player of the Year. He said: “It was an amazing feeling and gives me a massive sense of achievement. I think this is the award that all the lads want to win.

“Players’ player of the season is obviously an award everyone wants to win too but at a club like FC United, which is all about the supporters and the unbelievable contribution they make, this award is really special.”

And, despite losing in a play-off final for the sixth season in a row, Jones added: “It’s been a really enjoyable season for me. I’m not really one for change, so leaving Curzon Ashton after six years was a big decision to make but it has been fantastic.

“The way I was welcomed by the management, the rest of the lads and the supporters has been amazing. I can’t describe how it feels when the supporters sing our names and cheer us on, it means so much to the lads. We really appreciated all the fundraising and work behind the scenes all the supporters and volunteers do, even though we only get to see a fraction of it.”

Forward Matthew Wolfenden was voted as the players’ player of the season, goalkeeper James Spencer was chosen as the manager’s player, whilst Carlos Roca was voted FCUth’s (Junior Supporters) player of the season and won the Match Reporters’ Award for most man-of-the-matches of the season.

Roca said: “The junior supporters means a lot because I like to think that I’m the sort of player who plays exciting, attacking football whilst trying to do things that are a little bit out of the ordinary.

“Sometimes they come off and sometimes they don’t but if the younger supporters enjoy the way I play football, that’s really good because hopefully it will inspire a few of them to play the game in an exciting way. I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me, it means a lot and it’s really appreciated.”

Roca certainly excited all age-groups of the FC United faithful during the season and probably no more so than when his 25-yard-screamer against Altrincham set the Reds on their way to first round proper of the FA Carlsberg Trophy for the first ever time. And for that, the winger won the Didsbury and Withington Supporters’ Branch goal of the season award.

Other branch awards went to Adam Jones (Trafford Branch and Armchair Army), Kyle Jacobs scooped the Newton Heath Branch award and goal of the season against Whitby from the Irwell Valley Branch, whilst Jacobs and Jones were joint players of the season from the Stockport Branch and James Spencer’s safe-hands were recognised by the Eccles Branch.

Our Under-18s manager Dave Brown selected James Brooks as player of the season, whilst Alex Stones was voted players’ player.

Looking ahead to next season, all of the players were in agreement that they wanted to keep the squad together and have a go at winning promotion as champions before ‘having the honour’ of running out at FC United’s new ground.
]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 21:21:48 +0200 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=4240
Women over 16 years of age are all welcome at the trials. To register your interest and attendance please email womensteam@fc-utd.co.uk and you will receive a trial form to complete and return prior to attending the trials together with full details of the trial venue.

The new FC United women’s team will be playing in the Greater Manchester Women’s Football League next season and will be managed jointly by John Marsden and Lee Sutton. Lee said: "Since we announced that FC United would be forming a women’s team for next season, the response has been brilliant. John and I are hoping that the interest will result in an excellent attendance at the trials on Sunday 10th June."]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 07:34:34 +0200 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=4239
They won their first corner with less than a minute gone but failed to take advantage. The Millers could have made them pay for that as they quickly broke down field and won a free kick on the edge of the FC box. Fortunately the delivery was poor and in truth they were never to really threaten the reds goal again in the first half. That though wasn’t entirely true as they did have the ball in the FC net on 37 minutes, but it was put there by a player who was always in an offside position yet couldn’t stop himself getting involved.

FC United were two goals up by then although it did take until the 26th minute for the first goal to arrive. Chances that came and went before then, were largely spurned by Matthew Boland. Though given his contribution to the rest of the half he might claim that he was merely finding his range on a hard, uneven surface.

Matthew scored the first goal himself after Connor Naughton had given Theo Kidd a chance to cross from the right. Matty fired home through a crowded box. He turned provider for the next two goals as his corners were fired home by Sam Howell in the 34th minute and Richard Smith in the 41st.

In the first half New Mills had been playing with a gusting wind behind them and had found a lot of passes being over hit. In the second half it was FC who faced that problem and not surprisingly the Millers were able to make a better game of it. They were awarded a penalty in the 48th minute for an untidy challenge in the box, but Liam Millen, in hitting his shot straight towards the middle of the goal, saw a trailing Andrew Farrimond leg clear the ball out for a corner. If that and a Lee Gregory shot over the bar in the 56th minute had gone in, there could have been a truly titanic cup final on offer. Neither did it took until the 85th minute before there was any addition to the score as Jordan Young pulled one back for the Millers.

This could have made for a tense finale but no sooner had the reds kicked off than Andy Lee launched a shot from outside the box that dipped into the top corner of the goal giving Jack Barlow absolutely no chance and that was that; the game finished 4-1 and the reds collected the cup and the winners medals. That is once the New Mills players realised they had been given them by mistake and handed them back.

FC United of Manchester: Andrew Farrimond, Alex Stones (Matthew Hassall 55mins), Josh Smethurst (Andy Lee 75 mins), Richard Smith, James Brooks, Kial Callacher, Sam Howell, Connor Naughton, Theo Kidd, Matthew Boland (Joshua Matthew 65 mins), Jonathan Poizer. Subs not used: Kyle Cunningham and Jonathan Beisty.

Goals: Matthew Boland, Sam Howell, Richard Smith and Andy Lee.
]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 21:21:17 +0200 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=4238
All nine players have their own fundraising pages and each of them is being supported and sponsored by an FC United supporters’ branch. We also have a group page for those runners that don’t wish to set up their own fundraising page. This year, for obvious reasons, it’s called "the FC41ers". You can pledge your support to all our runners collectively on the group page by clicking here

Listed below you’ll find links to the players’ pages, along with the FC United branches backing them, and also a list of supporters’ fundraising pages should you wish to sponsor them.

There’s sure to be some healthy competition - and lively banter - between the players who are running the 10k course on 20 May and it will be interesting to see if any of the supporters taking part manage to finish before any of the players. Not that we’re encouraging people to be too competitive of course - it is, after all, the taking part that counts, and the raising of much needed funds for FC United!

Players
Paul Armstrong - Moston - click here
Adam Jones - Stockport - click here
Dean Stott - Tameside - click here
Kyle Jacobs - Irwell Valley - click here
Richard Battersby - Eccles - click here
Matty Wolfenden - Trafford - click here
James Spencer - Newton Heath - click here
Nicky Platt - Didsbury & Withington - click here
Mike Norton - London - click here

Supporters
FC41ers - click here
Dave Keelan - click here
Lucy Pendlebury - click here
Brett Turton - click here
Lindsey Howard - click here
Andy Walker - click here
Marcin Zelechowski - click here
Chris Blackpool - click here
Neil Nelson - click here
Mike Sherrard - click here
Andy Lake - click here
Helen Walker - click here
Jo Purcell - click here

FC41ers group page - click here]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 17:39:00 +0200 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=4237 Mossley AFC on Tuesday 7 August 2012 to commemorate the centenary of their ground, Seel Park. Imagine us in 101 years celebrating the centenary af our ground at Moston.

Further details of the game will be published nearer the time.









(P.S. We know some supporters are waiting for an announcement of the friendly on Sat 21st July 2012 that we swapped around for, but the details aren’t confirmed yet, so please be patient.)
]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 19:49:24 +0200 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=4236
The college won their semi-final with a win against Exeter College played at Exeter City’s St James Park. Exeter College were supported by a 300-strong crowd but The Manchester College made it to the final after a 2-1 win with goals from Kial Callacher and Frank Van-Gils. The Academy will now play South Essex College at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium in the BCS National Final on Wednesday 16th May with a 2pm kick off. The winners of the Final will be crowned BCS National Champions and deemed the best College football team in the country.

The Football Academy at the college is closely linked with FC United and uses this link to enable professional coaches to develop and guide players in the academy and enables The Manchester College players to be given opportunities to play in FC United’s youth team and first team.

FC United manager Karl Marginson, who is also first team coach at The Manchester College, said: "The College Football Academy squad has made great strides this season and our main aim was to help these players understand the game and develop their technical and tactical ability. It is great that they have reached the BCS National Final as it shows them that their hard work has paid off and hopefully these players can continue to develop and meet the standards required to get into FC United’s first team."

BCS Elite Colleges National Football League Final
Wednesday 16 May 2012: 2pm kick off
The Manchester College v South Essex College
Pirelli Stadium, Burton Albion FC, Princess Way, Burton on Trent DE13 0AR.]]> Fri, 11 May 2012 13:29:46 +0200 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=4235
There are two guest speakers this month , Barry Woodburn who works for the FC United Community Team and Phil Frampton a consultant to FC and the organiser of the FC United Minithon.

The meeting will finish before 9pm to be followed by a social event with a bar and refreshments . All FC members and supporters are welcome.
]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 12:57:33 +0200 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=4234
Admittedly it is at Burscough

Admittedly the first game was a bit of a disappointment.

Admittedly most of you were at Bradford last week.

But you are not going to let all that stop you supporting the lads and reacquainting yourself with the delightful surroundings of Victoria Park are you?]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 12:58:18 +0200 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=4233
The rest of the first half was a tale of missed chances for Morecambe, with James Riley having at least two gilt-edged chances without hitting the target. The nearest the home side came was a move in which Richard Smith found Matthew Boland. The ball was put in the net but not before the assistant ruled Matthew to be offside.

Eventually the half time whistle went and the lads retreated for some well chosen words of advice from Manager Dave Brown and the maximum allowance of three substitutions.

The second half started with promise as Jonathan Poizer and Theo Kidd quickly combined down the left to get a cross in which was somehow scrambled away. After that chances were few and far between as the game drifted.

With twenty minutes to go, the game burst into life as FC started to play pass and move football, letting the ball do the work rather than try and bulldoze through the Morecambe defence. The equaliser came with a quarter of an hour left; Josh Matthew and Alex Stones combined to give Theo a ball down the right touchline. His driven cross into the box was met equally firmly by Matthew Boland.

The winner came in the 85th minute as FC were awarded a free kick out on the right edge of the penalty area. Jonathan Poizer’s low cross was met with a deft touch by Connor Naughton before being fired home by MatthewBoland. However there was a brief scare as a Morecambe shot a minute later was deflected, only just wide by Kial Callacher.

FC United of Manchester: Jonathan Beisty, Alex Stones, Josh Smethurst, Richard Smith (Connor Naughton), James Brooks, Kyle Cunningham (Kial Callacher), Andy Lee (Theo Kidd), Jonathan Poizer, Matthew Boland, Josh Matthew. Sub not used: Andrew Farrimond
]]> Wed, 09 May 2012 21:27:30 +0200 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=4232 Saturday 28 July 2012. We’re announcing this straight away to help supporters who might already be making summer plans and we apologise if the change of date causes any difficulties.

This date change is because we are in the process of finalising another game on the original date of Sat 21 July 2012, so it is extremely good of Bishop Auckland to agree to swap the date of their game to allow us to schedule another interesting fixture for FC United.

The updated original story about the Bishop Auckland friendly can be found here

Further information about the game being planned for Sat 21 July 2012 will be announced as soon as all the details are finalised.

FC United will be running a coach to the game. The coach will leave Chorlton Street at 10am and also pick up at TGIs, Prestwich. The cost will be £16 for adults and £8 for juniors under 16. Bookings can be taken HERE or email travel@fc-utd.co.uk or by ringing the FC United office on 0161 273 8950.
]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 12:58:58 +0200 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=4231
Despite the disappointment of Sunday’s game, it’s still been an historic year for FC, with the announcement of the site of our new ground and the fantastic achievement of raising £1.6m in community shares to help pay for it. We’ve had a great year and there is much to celebrate, so let’s get together on Friday and do just that.

Our end-of-season bash is always a great evening, with the players, management and staff in attendance and various awards for players being handed out, including all the branch awards too. We’ll have a cracking buffet, a top-notch disco and a few other surprises too to make for a brilliant night out.

At just £10 each, tickets for the event are sure to sell out, so make sure you get your order in now by calling the office on 0161 273 8950 or email office@fc-utd.co.uk.

If you are initending to go but have not yet bought a ticket, you can ’pay on the gate’ but please let the office know as we need to make arrangements for the food order.

FC United end-of-season celebration party
Friday 11th May 2012, 7.30pm until late
Chorlton Irish Club
17 High Lane
Chorlton
M21 9DJ

]]> Tue, 08 May 2012 16:06:57 +0200 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=4230
If there is anybody who witnessed the incident please contact the FC United office on 0161 273 8950 or email office@fc-utd.co.uk]]> Tue, 08 May 2012 11:26:00 +0200 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=4229
In the football match FC United started well, Theo Kidd, Sam Howell and Kial Callacher all went close in the first 15 minutes, but that in truth was almost as good as it got for the reds. In the 23rd minute a needlessly conceded free kick on the edge of the box from James Daniels, was allowed to squirm in off the near post as Farrimond in the FC net was unable to get across his goal line quickly enough.

Daniels got his second after 39 minutes with a free header from a corner, but a minute later the lads pulled one back with Richard Smith heading home a Matthew Boland free kick a minute later.

Chances were few and far between in the second half and it was not until the 73rd minute that either side registered a worthwhile strike. Luke Walkers long range effort was arrowing towards the top corner when Vaughan in the Warrington net pulled a top quality save from nowhere to turn it out for a corner. Shortly afterwards Warrington made it 3-1; Farrimond came out to deal with a hopeful ball lifted up to the edge of the penalty area, unfortunately he was unable to either catch or punch convincingly and Dylan Glass was on hand to punish him.

FC tried without success to get back in to the game, a penalty appeal was turned down in the 84th minute but Warrington immediately broke down the other end and Glass was unfortunate not to get his second. As the game drew to a close Farrimond was able to provide a quality save to deny Oliver Wells, but in injury time his clearance kick was returned with interest when Glass ran clear of the FC defence and chipped over the advancing keeper.

Soon after that the full time whistle blew and whilst understandably disappointed to lose the players were left in no doubt that what happened has no place on any football pitch and certainly not at FC United.

The one consolation as the medals were presented was that FC skipper James Brooks was named Man of the Match by the NWYA Committee for a near flawless individual performance.

FC United of Manchester: Andrew Farrimond, Kyle Cunningham, Jonathan Poizer, Richard Smith, James Brooks, Kial Callacher, Sam Howell, Connor Naughton, Theo Kidd, Matthew Boland, Matthew Hassall. Substitutions: Luke Walker for Sam Howell (15 mins), Josh Smethurst for Connor Naughton (60 mins), Josh Matthew for Luke Walker (77 mins), Andy Lee and Jonathan Beisty not used.
]]> Sun, 06 May 2012 20:43:32 +0200 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=4228
It was the cruellest of blows for the United players and fans, who had given it their all on an afternoon where victory held such significance but, as was the case in Colwyn Bay a year ago, it wasn’t to be for the men in red.

The Reds came into the game with a late change in between the sticks as James Spencer, who has been ever present in this season’s league campaign, was replaced by Jon Worsnop after Spencer had injured his finger working on Saturday.

But the Reds weren’t put off by the change and began the game brightly, quick into the tackles and for the most part looking the better of the two teams.

As is often the case with finals, the game became a little tentative and the football didn’t flow as freely as would usually be the case between these two teams. But that didn’t put the crowd off, who despite their limited numbers for ‘safety reasons’ were of a fine voice all the way through.

The best opportunity of the opening period fell to Michael Norton in the box; whose quick shot in the box deflected off an Avenue defender and creeped just wide of the home team’s goal.

In the second half it was the home team who looked the more likely to score and they had large amounts of possession in the second 45 minutes putting United on the back foot and forcing the Reds into high long balls up the pitch, which were noticeably frustrating manager Karl Marginson on the sidelines.

United had two great opportunities to open the scoring firstly when Carlos Roca fired a free-kick just over the Avenue bar and then Jake Cottrell fired from outside the box and forced a great touch over the bar from Avenue ‘keeper John Lamb.

Margy moved to put Nicky Platt and Astley Mulholland on for Roca and Johnson, in a bid to bolster the midfield and add some fresh legs to the front line. But as the game drew on you got the feeling it was going to be settled by one goal or even the dreaded penalty shootout.

Bradford had a fine opportunity to grab a winner late on as a ball across the box was dragged across goal but Adam Jones hoofed the ball away showing the desire United would need as the game went into an extra 30 minutes.

At the end of normal time the players looked tired and out on their feet, but then the fans came into life just before extra time kicked off and this proved as an adrenaline shot for the Reds who began brightly in stoppage time and came out on the attack.

But despite their best early efforts coming forward there was no way through for the Reds who looked like they needed the rest after the first 15 minutes was up, as the flow of the game returned to Bradford’s favour.

The second half of extra time again followed the same pattern as most of the game as both teams had good spells but nothing substantial and it looked as though the game was heading for a nerve wrecking finale in the form of penalties.

But it was to be an even crueller blow than losing out in a shoot-out for United as a ball fired across the edge of the six yard box was bundled home by Tom Greaves to put Avenue a goal up and leave Untied no time what so ever to find a reply.

It was in all honesty a crushing blow for United who for the second year running were denied promotion by a single goal in a game that was a 50/50 affair all the way through.

Every man, woman, dog, blow-up doll and toy meerkat put their all into the game and it was fiiting that the red army went on the pitch to console with their red shirted hereos and thank them for another hard fought campaign. Being beaten right at the end was a cruel way to lose but the red flag will fly high once more.

Website man of the match: Adam Jones – capped off a great first season with a solid performance from the back, put 100% into the game today; as did everybody else, and didn’t deserve to be on the losing team.

Report by Craig Phillips]]> Wed, 09 May 2012 14:10:29 +0200 http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=4227
After falling at the final hurdle in last year’s final against Colwyn Bay, manager Karl Marginson is confident his team can go one step further this year. He said: “I’m confident in all of our players, on our day we can beat anyone in this league. Everyone is really buzzing, we just wish we were playing today (Saturday).”

United and Bradford have met 13 times before since first going head-to-head in October 2007. Avenue became United’s bogey team for the next three years, with the Reds failing to beat their West Yorkshire rival in nine attempts.

However, in January 2011 the tide turned with a 2-0 victory at Gigg Lane and since then United have won three more times against BPA, 2-0 in the play-off semi-final last April and 5-2 home and away in the league this year.

Despite the good recent results against Avenue, Margy knows that it will count for nothing on the day. He said: “It’s a one-off match and a cup final. Whoever turns up on the day and performs will win. It’s as simple as that.”

Margy says that losing in last year’s final was ‘tremendously disappointing’ for everyone but he added: “It’s all about how you respond to these things. You have to move on and learn from it. The players who were involved last year will have learned from the experience and will be better prepared this time around.”

Promotion would be FC United and Margy’s fourth in seven years and Margy admits he is more eager to achieve this one than previous years. He said: “It would be a fantastic achievement. It keeps us progressing as a club and all of the players want to test themselves at the next level against some really good clubs.

“I think it will be really good for all of our supporters too, who have been going to the same grounds over the last few years. Going to different places such as Darlington would be a real shot in the arm for everyone.”

And finally, as ever Margy urged the fans to do what we do best – get behind the team and make as much noise as possible. He said: “I’m really disappointed that we’ve got the situation we have and that only 1,000 of our supporters can get tickets. It’s sad for all the people who will have to miss out.

“But despite that, the something that makes our club truly unique is that the pitch and the terraces are like one. The 12th man aspect can’t be underestimated, it makes such a difference to the players and I know I don’t have to ask but I really urge everyone who’s able to get a ticket to support the lads as loudly as they can and help get us into the Conference North.” ]]> Sun, 06 May 2012 22:41:46 +0200