FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester Badge FC United of Manchester Pitch In

An Ode To FC: by John Henshaw

"Check in your wardrobe and the back of your door
Have you got a BIG COAT you don’t need anymore?

"FC United will take it off your hands
And, if there’s gloves in the pockets, well that’d be grand.

"FC United - amidst all the recent excitement and forthcoming turmoil, still finding time to think of others. It makes me proud to be associated with them, and I am a BLUE!!"


John Henshaw, actor

Big Coat Day January 3rd vs Ashton United

Justin Moorhouse, James Quinn and the cast of ’Zack’ which has just opened at Royal Exchange have called for support for FC United’s Big Coat Day, as have Johnny Vegas, Sue Cleaver who plays Eileen Grimshaw in TV’s Corrie and Maxine Peake.

Bury South MP, Ivan Lewis, has also added his call to support the event: "At this time of the year we should be thinking about those who are vulnerable and lonely. FC United should be congratulated on this excellent initiative which is yet another example of the club’s commitment to our local communities."

With predictions of more cold winter snaps, the club’s decision to organise the Big Coat Day collection of warm winter clothing at its New Year fixture has been welcomed across the city. Hence in a great gesture of footballing solidarity, our hosts, Bury FC, and our opponents on Big Coat Day, Ashton United, are also calling for their supporters to bring spare clothing for the event. Staff at Jobcentreplus offices have been collecting. In Wythenshawe, staff at two Lloyds TSB branches are collecting and the local ASDA set up a collection point for shoppers to drop off spare clothes

Last year we collected over 4 tons of warm clothing and this year local charities for the homeless, Mustard Tree and Boaz Trust, will once again be on hand to collect the clothing at the ground and distribute it across Greater Manchester.

Our supporters can help us make a difference by actively supporting Big Coat Day 2011. If you can organise collections of warm winter clothing in your workplaces, streets or home and get them brought to Gigg Lane, between 12 noon and 3pm before the Ashton game, then we can help save lives. If you wish to help out with any of the promotion of the event please contact vinnythompson@fc-utd.co.uk.

"Big Coat Day may have started in 2005 as a bit of fun to show we had reached our first Xmas, and it still is fun. But it is also an important statement showing that our supporters continue to care for all our community."
Andy Walsh, FC General Manager


First Posted ~ 10:00 Tue 21 Dec 2010
News ID ~ 3314
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021