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Free WI-FI for FC United fans as club nets deal for Broadhurst Park

FC United has secured a three-year deal which will see its supporters enjoying free Wi-Fi at the club’s new Broadhurst Park ground in Moston.

The club has partnered with Bury-based data and telecommunications specialist Pennine Telecom to ensure fans can have better access to social media and the internet when visiting the 5,000-capacity ground and community facility in Moston, north Manchester.

Pennine is now installing wireless access points and specialist software at the new £6.3m ground to ensure the broadband service is ready in time for a prestigious friendly against Portuguese giants Benfica on 29 May 2015.

The deal will allow the club to better engage with its supporters according to FC United general manager Andy Walsh, who said: “Good communications is vital for a supporter-owned club like ours and we wanted to give our fans, the club’s owners, the opportunity to participate in real time on social media when they come to matches. Our Facebook page already has over 734,000 likes and we have 55,000 Twitter followers, so social media is a really effective way for our supporters to engage with each other and the club.???

He added that the reporting tools featured within the Purple Wi-fi software recommended by Pennine and SMS text service will also help the club communicate more effectively with its fan base.

Andrew Roberts, managing director of Pennine Telecom said his company welcomed the opportunity to support a community-oriented club. “I’ve long-admired FC United’s commitment to working within and supporting the local community, a commitment which we at Pennine Telecom share. From the early days when Bury’s Gigg Lane was the club’s home ground we’ve watched on admiringly as they held on to their ideals whilst progressing through the leagues.

“It’s an absolute privilege to be able to support FC United at Broadhurst Park and through them the wider community in Moston.???



First Posted ~ 12:03 Mon 11 May 2015
News ID ~ 6191
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021