FC United to host Benfica at Broadhurst Park on Friday 29th May 2015

FC United is delighted to announce that we will host a friendly match against European giants Benfica on Friday 29 May 2015 at Broadhurst Park as part of a ‘summer of celebration’ to mark our club’s 10th anniversary.

The high-profile friendly has been organised as one of the centrepieces of a series of events this summer. The full programme of events will be announced once FC United’s new ground is open.

FC United general manager Andy Walsh commented: “FC United of Manchester is delighted to be playing Benfica as one of the first games in our new ground at Broadhurst Park in Moston, north Manchester. We have had good relations with Benfica since hosting their Under-19s when they played Manchester City in the UEFA Youth League last season. We are proud to be playing one of the largest fan-owned clubs in the world and are looking forward to welcoming Benfica’s representatives to Manchester.???

Armando Jorge Carneiro, academy general manager at Benfica, said: “Lisbon and Manchester are cities with fans who love football and their idols. While FC United are still a young club in the history of this sport in England, it’s nevertheless a great honour for SL Benfica to be present with their B team at United’s stadium, Broadhurst Park. We hope that FC United can find over the next years, just like Benfica almost 111 years ago, a path of victories that can launch them from being a big city club to a leading club in the world."

Admission details for the Benfica fixture will be announced a little nearer the date of the game.


FC United are also planning to arrange a pre-season friendly with fellow supporter-owned club AFC Wimbledon, a club which acted as an inspiration to FC United’s formation. Ivor Heller, board member at Wimbledon, said: “At AFC Wimbledon we are gutted that we’re unable to be the opening game at Broadhurst Park, but we’ll make up for that with a great friendly in pre-season".

Please note AFC Wimbledon will not be able to fulfil this fixture. Alternative opposition is being sought and will be announced once finalised.


Latest media coverage
Mail Online - FC United of Manchester to play fellow fan-owned club Benfica in 10th birthday celebration at new stadium
Manchester Evening News - FC United to play Benfica in one of first matches at new Broadhurst Park stadium
Guardian - FC United to host friendly with Benfica to mark club’s 10-year anniversary
BBC website - FC United of Manchester mark anniversary with Benfica friendly
Daily Mirror - Fan-owned FC United of Manchester to take on Benfica in 10th anniversary celebration
Morning Star - FC United to host Benfica in glamour friendly
Evo-Stik League website - Euro giants kicking off summer of celebrations
Supporters Direct - FC United to play Benfica as part of summer of celebration