It’s back to Stalybridge this Saturday with FC United returning to league action at home to Stocksbridge Park Steels. A comfortable 3-0 home win against Radcliffe Borough in the FA Cup last Saturday saw FC get the season back on track and they now face an exciting tie against Gainsborough Trinity from the Blue Square North, the league above FC, in the next round. The game takes place a week on Saturday at Gigg Lane in a 3.00 pm kick off with a big crowd and a great cup tie atmosphere expected.

But before then Margy feels it’s important to improve on the recent disappointing league performances. "We’ll be hoping to get back on track after a poor run of recent results in the league, notably our last game against Bradford which was a bad defeat. Despite the two losses beforehand I thought that was the first poor performance of the season with a good few players not performing to their usual standards. Admittedly that’s going to happen at certain times, it’s inevitable, but it doesn’t make it any easier to accept when it does."

"I watched Bradford in one of their previous games against Northwich - they do what they do which isn’t great to watch but unless you combat it then it is effective. We’d been playing good football so far this campaign but against Bradford it wasn’t there so it required something a little bit different, and when faced with that sort of game the players have got to find it."

"In that respect it’s a great learning curve for some of the young lads, as long as they recognise and pick up on the lessons. On the night we needed to stretch the game but didn’t do it in the right way. Some lads had off days and that contributed to the problems, whilst we needed to play more of a pressing game."

"Bradford didn’t allow us to play through their midfield, for which credit must go to them, but personnel-wise I think if we’d have had a big target man it might have been different. What doesn’t help is throwing goals away through individual errors – on the night all four came from stupid mistakes and you can’t account for that as it’s not as if those responsible are bad players."

"Deegan back"

"Glad to see Deegan back"

"It may sound like something of a cop out but I always say it’s how you respond to a bad game like that which really counts. After three defeats it’d have been easy for the lads to see Radcliffe last weekend as something of a tricky game but I thought they responded well. Radcliffe set themselves up not to concede so it was always going to be difficult to that extent but we controlled the game and got the result (GOALS HERE - http://vimeo.com/14992968). Things didn’t always run as smoothly as we’d have liked but in football that happens at every level, not just non-league. I was glad to see Deegan back in action as I thought he gave us something different when he came on. With him in the side we can try different formations, many of which we experimented with in pre-season. Hopefully he’ll stay fit and give us that little something we were missing in the Ashton and Bradford defeats."

"As ever we’re expecting a tough contest with Stocksbridge here today. Like us they’ve had a mixed start so far, with eight points from six games. They had a good win in the cup last week beating Trafford 4-2 and I’ve had the lowdown on that performance from Trafford’s manager Vaughany, who used to take charge of our reserves. Obviously it’s mainly about what we can do on the day but one thing I’ll be stressing is that the game is not over until the final whistle. Marine were 5-0 up against Stocksbridge recently after little more than half an hour, yet Stocksbridge fought back in the second half to 5-4 so we know they won’t give in. Their players obviously responded in the right way in that game, and that sort of pride and fight is what I want our players to produce today, only this time in a winning cause."

YOOF CORNER

CUP MAGIC

A week on Saturday 25th September, FC take on Gainsborough Trinity in the FA Cup at Gigg Lane. United’s great cup run last year provided some of the season’s (and the Club’s) most memorable moments! Not only moments on the pitch but moments in the stands as well. Moments like the teddy bears being thrown around the crowd at North Ferriby, the flare at Stalybridge away and the many 70’s-style flags and banners which made an appearance at the Stalybridge home fixture.

This kind of atmosphere is the kind which not only attracts more Man United fans to come and watch FC but also gets other fans talking about FC. It is the kind of atmosphere we’re famous for and which pushed the team all the way to the 4th Qualifying round against Northwhich Victoria.

It is important that this match atmosphere is continued to help the Club progress further, not only in the Cup but as a club as well. The Yoof, as we are known, are urging fellow supporters to get down to Gigg Lane on September 25th with everything you need to make an amazing atmosphere - whether it’s your hands to simply clap, vocal chords to simply sing or any flags and scarves you may own! Bring the ones from last year or make some new ones - “Jesus saves! But Norton scores from the rebound!” etc. etc.

Also, Man United are playing against Bolton the day after so this game is the PERFECT opportunity to bring along all your United supporting mates and if both Uniteds can do us proud then it is set out to be one great weekend! So whether you feel like making your own huge, cup-style flag or just simply coming along with your vocal chords and hands then please make sure you are at Gigg Lane at 3pm with as many of your MUFC supporting mates as possible and let’s see FC on their way to another great cup run like last season!!!

Get yourself to the right football ground again. FC United V Stocksbridge Park Steels, Bower Field, Stalybridge, Saturday 18th September, kick off 3.00 pm.

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VERY IMPORTANT DATE FOR YOUR DIARIES: Thurs 23rd Sept. 7pm.

With the launch of the Community Share Scheme imminent and plans for Ten Acres Lane progressing rapidly, we have arranged a meeting for supporters at 7pm on Thursday 23rd September at the Methodist Hall, in Manchester city centre.

The purpose of the meeting will be two-fold. Firstly we will update supporters on the latest developments with the new ground, including the very latest architects’ drawings. We’ll explain the methodology used, that has got us to where we are in the process and we’ll discuss together the future vision for FC United and Ten Acres Lane.

Secondly, following a full press launch and release of the prospectus earlier in the week, we’ll present, discuss and answer questions on the Community Share Scheme. We hope that following the meeting everyone will be suitably enthused to go and evangelise the appeal of the scheme on the clubs behalf.

The significance of next week’s events on the road to Ten Acres should not be underestimated. We’ve had a few important meetings in our time and this is yet another, so we urge as many people to attend as possible.

The meeting is open to all supporters, not only members. So drag anyone you think might be interested in hearing our plans and who would like to know more about the Share Scheme directly from us. Parents, grandparents, work colleagues, the postman. If you know someone who recognises the importance of FC United to you, the importance of making football accessible to all, the importance of delivering a community asset to an area that needs it, then get them to the Methodist Hall at 7pm on Thursday 23rd.

See you there.

Steels Stats

FC United resume their league programme on Saturday with Stocksbridge Park Steels the visitors to Bower Fold. Our last league game there was against Matlock Town, who count as one of the oldest non-league clubs, dating back to 1878, which incidentally was the year Newton Heath came into existence. Stocksbridge PS was formed as recently as 1986, when Stocksbridge Works FC and Oxley Park merged.

Our first ever meeting was in October 2009 at Gigg Lane. The game was a seven-goal thriller, capped by an injury-time winner from Carlos Roca. United were 3-1 down after 47 minutes to the then league leaders before staging a courageous fightback. Roca 2, Ben Deegan and Jerome Wright netted for the Reds.

The return in Sheffield was in January of this year, Roca again being on target on the hour. The tough-tackling Steels accumulated 8 Yellow cards and Brett Lovell was dismissed with 20 minutes to go, but a late rally earned a point when Andy Ring forced in a low cross from close range with 2 minutes left on the clock.

Currently the Steels are a point behind FC in 13th place. Away from home they drew 2-2 at Hucknall Town and lost 0-1 at current league leaders Matlock Town during August. This month they went to Marine and trailed 0-5 at half time, before an amazing comeback after the interval which left the final score 5-4.

Last Saturday they defeated Trafford 4-2 in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round and travel to Yorkshire rivals North Ferriby United for the next round.