MREnders

Well....

2010-10-07T22:23:00.002+13:00

I had forgotten about this place. Think I might pick it up again. Especially seeing as the superb "It'll be off" blog seems to have gone to the great blog site in the sky.
Its not been a great start to the season on the field, some great games, some horrors. Sadly more horrors than great ones. But you know, its more than just what occurs on the pitch. That is important, more people want to watch a winning team (strange to me, I thought you watched your team win, lose or draw) but with eyes towards Ten Acres, we need to keep everything in check, on the pitch performances, the share offer and DF off the pitch, all important, all vital.
But you know what, I still love it.

Its been a few months

2006-12-22T04:46:00.000+13:00

And in the new year, hopefully I will update this more regularly. Been a bit slack, and to be honest my UTB column was taking all of my creative flow.
Anyway, as a crimbo pressie to you all, and just in case you missed it on the official mailout, here is my account of the day when Leigh branch brought along 2 football teams to the Stone game.
Enjoy......
When the Leigh branch formed back in January, one of the things the members wanted to do was to include the local community in it and in FC United in some way. During our meetings we decided that we would try to bring some local kids along to a game. The Stone Dominoes game was chosen and the two teams selected were Westhoughton Juniors (their manager is a branch member) and Astley Miners, both U15 teams that play in the Bolton Boys and Girls Federation.
Contact was made with both teams, they were enthusiastic, and also the club. John Thomason came down to one of our meetings to let us know the many ways the club could help, both on the day and also the different community schemes that the club has in place.
So the date was agreed, the teams primed and readied, it was down to the day itself.
The branch had organised transport for the teams to Bury, and onto the game where they would meet a couple of players, watch the game, and be ferried back home.
The day actually started with a training session at Broad Oak School, Bury arranged by FC. The training consisted of a few drills and a short match at the end. The teams seemed to enjoy this and hopefully they got something out of it.
After a quick change, it was all back on the bus for a pre ordered meal at that world renowned Michelin rated restaurant, McDonalds, then onto Gigg Lane.
When we arrived, the teams and helpers were ushered into the ball boys room for a question and answer session with Josh Howard, Steve Spencer and Leigh branch patron Rob Nugent. After a slow start, the questions started to flow, “Do you get paid” (nothing like getting straight to the point!!) “Would you consider leaving FC and what would it take?” and “Are you all still United fans?” (the look on Steve Spencers face was a picture!)
After around 50 mins of questions and answers, the players signed all the programmes that were thrust under their noses and after a quick look at the flags going up in the South Stand, we were ushered out again.
After a quick drink in the social club, it was time to dish out the tickets and get into Gigg for the game.
Unfortunately, the tickets were for the Main Stand, which for a committed MRE dweller was difficult.
Despite a draught that would have frozen the brassiest of monkeys and an atmosphere in there akin to Leigh Library, the lads, enjoyed their game particularly the twirling bar scarves.
Thankfully (in the end) the team served up a goal feast, so everyone went home happy. All that remained to do was to get everyone back on the bus, and raffle off the 2 signed balls and 2 signed pennants that we had purchased and had signed.
Overall the day was a success, the club were a superb help throughout and hopefully the two teams enjoyed their day and who knows maybe we will have some new fans for the future

...and you wanna beat the rest oooo ooooo....

2006-09-29T21:00:00.000+12:00

Tomorrow v Bacup, Fc United are attempting to equal the NWCL record of 12 straight league wins, currently held by Cammel Laird (or is it Skem I always get them two mixed up...anyway)
Can they do it? Well they should but you know I have visons of 1985 all over again. In that season MUFC won the 1st 10 games of the season (as was documented in last weeks Guardian, but contrary to what it said, the games were filmed, just not televised- The Mirror brought them out on vid, I think I have a *ahem* copy of it somewhere)
Now at the start of that season, Utd beat all before them starting with a 4-0 V Villa at OT before seeing off the likes of Ipswich(1-0), Southampton(1-0), the arse (2-1) and the mighty ciddy at Maine Road (3-0 and where there any blues there that day). Sorry for the score flashes, I am a bit of an 85 season anorak for some reason.
Anyway, Kenilworth Rd Luton held the 11th game, surely it would be the 11th and equal the Spurs record of winning streaks at the start of the season?
Erm...well.....no.
Score was 1-1, the winning run ended. Utd remained unbeaten till November, when Sheff Weds and the head of Lee Chapman ended the unbeaten run.
The season fell apart, Robbo was sent off in the cup at Roker Park, Hughes was sold to Barca from under all of our noses, and Utd finished 4th.
Season after started distasterously and Big Ron was given the heave-ho.
Lets keep our fingers crossed history doesn't repeat. It shouldn't, but the similarities are there.
10 games compared to 11, but now the record equalling game is against a team we should beat.
So come on everyone, lets cheer the lads to victory, I couldn't live with 1985 all over again.

The car with square wheels

2006-09-19T20:25:00.000+12:00

Now as you may well know, I used to be a ref, I did local jnr leagues round Leigh and Bolton. I mostly enjoyed it, picked up a couple of medals for officiating in cup finals (1 more than Alan Shearer) and though not perfect, I think I was decent.
As a result of this, I don't like to have a go at refs, but I think after watching a refereeing performance last night at Curzon Ashton that goes down as probably the worst I have seen in 24 years of watching football, I have to have a rant.
This pie munching clown from Wigan, wandered (I think he might have broke into a trot at one point!!) round the pitch, blowing his whistle as if he was at the Last night of the Proms, contributing to Land of Hope and Glory. Every little touch and contact brought a toot on his whistle and a stoppage of play.
I am sure if you looked at the stats, it would seem like the game was just one long foul, but it wasn't. It was a good old tough non league game with 2 committed and good teams going at it and getting stuck in.
Now I am not having a go at Young Wills red card, he can have no complaints about that, but there can be complaints at the way that he seemed to let the Curzon players , esp in the 2nd half, commit GBH and get away with it. Whilst as I say Will can't complain, the ref created that situation by his bewildering decisions and in the 2nd half, in my eyes, home team bias.
Not to mention the giving of a goal kick when the defence clearly put the ball out (and it wasn't just on one occasion,) the constant late flagging of offsides that weren't even off side, and a bit of basketball skill on the Curzon goal that Dennis Rodman would be proud of.
Is it any wonder that the 1st player over to the ref at the end of the game was the Curzon no 8, considering the ref spent the night looking after him and protecting him from the nasty roughty tufty men from Gigg Lane.
Having said all this, taking it into account along with 2 good committed teams, the weather conditions, the atomsphere in the crowd, it was a proper NWCL game and for that we should be happy with the 3 points.

Pie update

2006-09-13T20:45:00.000+12:00

Its been a few weeks since my last update, apols and all that, been busy with erm well getting on with my sorry excuse for a life.
Now I feel its time for a pie update. As you know, pies are an integral part of life following FC and also on this blog.
To be honest on the pie front at FC games it has been a poor show. I didn't manage to get one at St Helen's as the queue was always far too long, Hyde I partook in a BBQ burger as I felt it would be rude not to, and as they didn't sell pies in clubhouse at Chorley (and that is where I spent most of the day, apart from during the game) I didn't sample them there neither. Though last year, they were good, and so there is a sense of disappointment on that score.
At Alty, despite saying I wasn't spending a penny in the ground, I decided that being hungry was far more important than any principles and so bought a burger yet again. I worked on the adage that as it smelt good, it must taste good.
It didn't.
The best pies so far this season, have been at non FC games. Step forward both Atherton clubs, Colls and LR.
Both have produced top quality pies.
The Meat and potato at Colls, full of peppery potatoie goodness, the sign of a good pie. At LR, for £1.20 you can get a meat pie full of lovely gravy and peas. Beats the lukewarm Gigg Lane rip offs any day.
I have my fingers crossed that the next few home games will bring some quality pieage, I have high hopes for Brodsworth (any spares?) though if they try and serve me a pie in one of those large Yorkshire puddings, they will know about it!!

Good start......good start

2006-08-25T20:17:00.000+12:00

Apologies for the lack of updates recently.
Anyway...
Its been a good start, 100% record, goals flying in, very good team performances and also some outstanding individual games from the lads.
The two full backs have been outstanding, esp Matty Taylor at right back, Giggs has come up trumps, as I always believed he would (despite pre season reservations), Rudd has started to bang them in when it counts and the Chaddy/Nugent partnership at the back has been solid.
Hopefully the signing of Phoenix for the left hand side will solve that problem now that Torpey has gone, but then again, Orr did well on Monday at Hyde, and maybe he is worth a go there?
And so onto Chorley again, where we take on Atherton LR, lets hope the club house is as welcoming as last year, that the butties are 2 for £1 again, and the pie and peas are up to the same high standard.
On the pie front, over the past few weeks I have taken in games and sampled the pies at Atherton Colls and LR, both have been top quality (even a free one at LR!!) and so the stakes have been raised this season, the quality of pieage has improved and I for one hope this continues.
More pie updates to follow.

We're heading for Venus

2006-08-08T00:22:00.000+12:00

De de de deeeeeee de de de de deeeeeee.
Well here it is. The countdown has begun, as on Sat, FC United begin their 2nd season. This time in the lofty heights of NWCL 1 (how much better does it sound now that the sponsor has gone?) Just one more friendly to go, then its full steam ahead Barcel...erm St Helen's, as the season kicks off at Knowsley Road at 3pm on Sat.
All the nerves and tension starts now.
Does Margy know his best XI?
Can the team live up to last season?
Can we go straight up again?
Will Nugent shave his head in time for Sat?
These questions and more, will all be answered on Sat.
Will there be any surprises on Sat?
Who knows?
But I know one thing that won't be a surprise. That the lads will be backed by a large following all making as much noise as possible.
And you can't say fairer than that can you?

Its a friendly for gawds sake

2006-08-03T21:23:00.000+12:00

I attended my 1st FC reserve game last night. Couldn't get to any of the others due to being away, or clashing with the 1st team. I enjoyed it, was a decent game, FC were 2 up at half time against a Unibond team with most of its 1st team playing. They lost 3-2 in the end, was unlucky, but there were mitigating circumstances.
You see FC played most of the 2nd half with 10 men, and finished with 9. Not a dirty game, so nowt to do with red cards, but all to do, in my humble view, with the referee. Being an ex member of the refs union, I don't like to overly criticise, its not an easy thing to do, thankless at times, but some refs just don't help themselves.
What happened was, at half time, the FC ressies boss, the esteemed Mr Tony Cullen, made a number of changes and brought all the subs on. About 15 mins into the 2nd period, one of the FC players hurt himself, and couldn't continue. No problem there, its a friendly, so easily solved. No 9 Gary Edwards re-appeared and took his place up front.
But alas, the ref didn't like this, stopped the game, approached the esteemed Mr Cullen and during a debate (which thankfully for the ref didn't get too heated), the ref, I presume, informed them that Edwards had to come off.
So, the injured player returns to the frey, only to have to come back off as he can hardly walk. At this point Margy, who is watching from the stands, comes onto the pitch to speak to the ref. Still the 10 men play on. During the 2nd half, another player has to come off, FC end the game with 9
A farce.
Now surely all the ref had to do, was agree pre game about roll on roll off subs. If he didn't do that, common sense should have prevailed and he asked the Warrington Town bench if they were ok with Edwards coming back on, I am sure given it was only a friendly, that it would have been, but no, we play on with 10 men. If it was the World Cup final then ok no probs, but a Unibond Div 1 team verses a NWCL Reserves Div 2 team, come on ref, do us all a favour, apply a little common sense to the proceedings.
End of the day, we paid 6 notes to get in, we want to see a fair game.

Its Nigel Jay from Abbey Hey

2006-07-25T03:07:00.000+12:00

Saturday was another big day in the history of Fc United. Nope not the 1st cup win. Maybe the fact that there was away fans at Gigg? Nah.
Its was the release date of “An Undividable Glow”, the book charting the start and 1st season of FC United, seen through the eyes of the one and only Mr Robert Brady.
The book starts on Oldham Street on the way to Cardiff and charts the FC cup final, Rob's (and many others) last Utd game, through to the steering group meetings and the official formation of FC United of Manchester. It then goes on to tell the story of the season in a way only Robert knows how to.
I won't let you know what happens (I can't I am only 4 chapters in) but I can say without fear of being wrong, that Robert has written a masterpiece. If you are familiar with his, shall we say, unique writing style, seen in UWS and RI, then you will go straight into it without a problem. If its the 1st time you have been faced with it, it can be a little daunting, but stick with it, it will be rewarding trust me. And also bear in mind, that this is a toned down Brady.
As Robert has said, it is a love story, but that doesn't mean that its all sugary, it is critical at times (from what I have read so far), but it is also funny, touching and moving. I would say that by the end of reading it, it will have had the reader laughing, crying and shaking their heads all on the same page.
Its Manchester born and Manchester read, he wanted it printed in Manchester. It lives Manchester, it breathes Manchester, just like its author.
It costs £8.78 (and if you give him £10, the change goes straight to the club.)
If you buy one book this year, make it “An Undividable Glow”
http://www.fcunitedbook.co.uk/

All day long

2006-07-21T02:48:00.000+12:00

We will be Wombling in the snow and all that.
On Sat at La Stade de Gigg, its the return leg of the Supporters Direct cup v AFC Wimbledon.
FC lost 1-0 last year in only their 2nd ever game and this time will be hoping for revenge.
So far in this pre-season FC have done pretty well again Radcliffe and Altrincham, losing 3-2 and 3-1 respectivly but have played pretty well in both games, taking the lead and holding their own at Moss Lane, before being found out by the extra class of Alty.
Liam Coyne, Matty Taylor and Alex Mortimer have all come in and looked pretty good, Rhodri Giggs hasn't really stood out as yet, but I am sure he will. Looking last night and given his reliance on his right foot, and remembering his bros reliance on his left foot, maybe they could combine to become the ultimate footballer.
Been interesting off the field as well, with the mass stickering of a Radcliffe boozer and the site of the Alty yoof scattering from behind the goal. I am not going to comment too much on here, there are plenty of people doing that elsewhere, but all I will say, is despite it only being a couple of people, it is the whole fanbase who get tarred with it.
I think most of us have every faith in the club handling the situation, certainly the statement made, says so.
Anyway kids, minds on Saturdays game, welcome the Wombles with open arms, have a beer, buy Bradys book and most of all, mind your minges.

Melting in the Raccy heat.

2006-07-17T21:37:00.000+12:00

How hot was that then? I mean there is hot and there is hot, and that was hot. Anyway...
It was good to see the boys again on Sat and start to get back into the swing of things again.
The meetings in the local hostalries, the songs, the dodgy burgers, it was like football had never been away (or does it just seem like that?)
Thought there was some good performances, esp the tall guy at the back, Liam Coyne, he looked good when I have seen him play for Leigh and if he signs on, he could well be a shrewd signing.
Swabber looked the part in the 2nd half, and that finish was superb. I can't say I was overly impressed with the performance of Mr Giggs, but I am sure he will come good, and the experience he will bring, could well prove to be valuable should he sign on.
I suppose with the heat being as it was, it was diffcult to really judge the performance, Alty this Weds, will hopefully be cooler and thus a proper reflection of team and players.
The issue of the day was the sight of Rob Nugent, not only with hair, but ginger hair!! Get it sorted Robert.
And was that the famous Leigh RMI worzel that came on in the 2nd half?
All in all, whilst a defeat, I thought the performance was pretty good all considered.

Saturday is Tiswas day

2006-07-12T03:00:00.000+12:00

Well ok it isn't, but do you remember the excitment that, as a kid, you used to get at 9.25 (or was it earlier/later in those days, can't remember) when Tiswas was about to come on.
You see all the cooler kids watched Tiswas over Noel Tidybeard and his Swap Shop. It was the edge that Tarrant, James, Gorman et al brought to Saturday mornings, the anarchy, the sense of not knowing what is going to come next. Whilst all the squares were calling up Tidybeard, trying to swap their Rubicks Cube for a TCR set, us cooler cats were doing the Dying Fly dance and singing the Bucket of Water song. Whilst the anoraks were watching Craven bore us with the latest country news and info, the dudes amongst us were waiting for The Phantom Flan Flinger to do his magic.
Swap Shop had Cheggers, Tiswas has McCoy (a future Dr Who as well), Tiswas had Sally James, Swap Shop had Maggie Philbin for crying out loud.
The point of this spot of kiddies nostalgia?
Well Saturday is FC day again, and this coming Saturday, the cooler kids will all be playing out at Radcliffe Borough and no doubt in The Last Orders.
Saturday is FC
Never a day to miss see
Cause Saturday is Fc Daaayyyyyyy

Nearly time again.....

2006-07-04T23:35:00.000+12:00

Its official. Summer ends on Saturday July 8th. Why? Because that is the date of the 1st FC United friendly away to Flint. Well ok its a reserves friendly, but even better as its another moment in FC history. The 1st game ever to played by a FC United ressie team.
Time to dust off those shirts, dig out the flags and banners, maybe keep the bar scaves at home, not sure they will be needed and get out there and cheer Tony Cullens lads to their 1st victory, the 1st of many no doubt.
I myself, will actually be in Budapest, but will be in North Wales in spirit.
There is another milestone this week as on the 5th July 2005, the club was officially formed, names and badge designs agreed and a board put in place.
How far this club has gone in such a short time, the amount of goodwill it has generated over the year has been amazing. Of course there has been some resistance, but that was always to be expected, so on 5th July, raise a glass of something cold and be proud.
By the way the ressies will play in NWCL ressies league and play their games at (H)Abbey Hey.

You may take our clubs................

2006-06-29T23:44:00.000+12:00

Over the past couple of weeks, the FC Forum has been visited by fans of Crawley Town regarding the situation there. Basically the club was taken over by two brother and has been run into the ground. Basically they have:
- sacked the most successful manager in the club's long and proud history
- sacked dedicated office staff
- A tribunal declared four dismissals were illegal and the SA Group failed to even attend the hearings
- the club slashed the wage budget in half and incurred a three-point deduction for bringing the Football Conference into disrepute
- Having gone into administration, the club have also incurred a ten-point penalty for next season
- the financial problems have caused great anguish to players and their young families, as well as to fans
- the club's public relations are at rock bottom, with supporters continually being fed mistruths
- Known SA Group heavies have attempted to threaten a teenage fan who was organising a democratic protest against their regime
- while the players and fans suffer, the Majeeds have purchased a new £350k sports car and announced plans for new nightclubs and restaurants
This comes on the heels of what happened to the fans of Wimbledon, Manchester United, Wrexham etc etc. (I know there are more, these used to show the point.) Whilst these are all different situations, all have their merits and should be supported by people who have the interests of the future of football at heart.
The direction the game seems to be taking, is all too familiar, people are seeing football as a cash cow, whether they are from the USA or from the local community. Clubs are being run down to the ground, grounds are being sold for profit for club owners, profitable clubs are being put into debt and the fans are being expected to pay that off. Basically the fans are being sold down the river.
Its time to fight back, AFC Wimbledon, FC United etc are proof that things can be done, the status quo can be changed and the fans will only take so much before they start to act and fight back.
The revolution has begun people and it will not be televised.
Please support the Crawley Town situation and sign the below petition, it may make some difference, it may not, but the more people who sign it, the more it shows that the fans won't take this stuff lying down.
Sign the petition Support the Crawley Town fans

BBc Photographer of the year

2006-06-23T02:52:00.000+12:00

Vote Here people!!!
There are 2 of FCs budding photographers shortlisted. The photos in question are nos 2 and 11.
Please vote for one of them.
Pretty please.
Pretty please with sugar on top.

Blah Blah Blah

2006-06-21T21:48:00.000+12:00

Well we are into the 2nd week of the World Cup series championship(sponsored by Vodaweiser) or whatever its called and to be honest the football has been decent. Apart from England. Though that is no suprprise. Is it?
Anyway, there has been one thing that has really got on my goat. The bloody know nothing, smug presenters and pundits. You know the ones, the guy (and girls) who go on a jolly up for 4 weeks at our expense to give us their "expert" views on the matches we are watching.
The BBC has wheeled out the usuals, Lineker, Hansen, Lawrenson, O'Neill, Wright, each one with as little to say as each other, but with a lovely line in dodgy jokes (Ol Big ears dig at Poland invading Germany being a particular fave of mine.) Though to be honest, O'Neil gave me the biggest laugh so far, when in mid flow, he just stopped having totally lost what he was saying. He was floundering around for about 30 secs, before finally giving up the ghost. And don't start me on Wright and Crookes, they could have a blog on their own. As for Motson and Pearce, don't think I need to say anything else on those two.
As for ITV, well they have really pulled out the stops. Poaching Steve Rider from BBC seems to have made him even more pompous as he was before, and it has proven that, despite having a footballer dad, Gabby doesn't actually know much about the game. El Tel seems to be turning more and more golden by the day, and that includes his hair, and as for the insightful views of Gareth Southgate and Stuart Pearce, well I am glad I am aint a blue or a smoggie. Big Sam hasn't been too bad to be honest, though you know he is itching to get out there and tell John Terry to get the ball up to Crouch at every opportunity. Then again, did you see how tight his trousers were during one of the England games (I didn't to be honest, I saw it mentioned on another site.)
Though ITV excelled themselves during the OZ v Brazil game, when they brought on Shane Warne for his expert views. SHANE WARNE for Gods sake, who next, Alf Stewart (Kewell you bloody galah!!!), Lou Carpenter and Harold Bishop, Kylie, Skippy the Bush Kangaroo? I mean come on....
It just makes me pine for the days of Big Ron, I say bring him back now!!

Manchester...so much to answer for..

2006-06-15T21:16:00.000+12:00

10 years ago today, The IRA blow up the largest bomb on mainland Britain since the war in Manchester. Whilst there was many injuries, no one was killed. Since that day, the city has gone through great change, some for the better some not. But one thing that stood out was the spirit of the Manchester people to say "Fuck you, you may have blown our city centre to pieces, but you will never beat us, we will rise" (Well maybe no-one apart from Alan Partridge will probably have said that, but you get my drift), but that is the one great thing about our city, you can do as you like, but if you try to take the piss, you will lose. Simple as.
From the reformists at Peterloo, to Pankhurst, through to the IRA bomb and the Glazer takeover, the spirit of Manchester has always been to fight for what you believe to be right, not to give in, to stand up and be counted. FC United and the continued fight for United is further proof of that.
So be proud of what you are doing. In fact a quote that I saw on Red Issue this morning sums it up perfectly
"Manchester has always been a bit of a revolutionary place and FCUM is just another step in the History of Manchester and how the people in Manchester will only be pushed around so far before they start pushing back."
Come the day people.....come the day............

Dearly beloved

2006-06-01T20:54:00.000+12:00

There has much debate (some would say mass) recently about who should and shouldn't be welcomed to FC United games. It has often been said that we are a broad church but how broad is broad.
Should the crowd just be made up of ex and current MUFC matchgoers, any football fans who buy into it as long as they aren't scouse, ciddy or lids, or do the Gigg gates get flung open and all let in (the jibbers amongst us would be happy with that!!)
To be honest, there is merit in all 3.
The club was set up by "disaffected and disenfranchised Manchester United supporters" and so, there is a sound argument that that is what the crowd should be made up of. That's all well and good, but that rather limits the potential for future crowds. The 2nd also has merit. Surely any football fan who agrees with the ideals and principles of FC should be welcome to watch the shirts (and there are more than you think, that agree with it all) but of course, coming from a MUFC background, some things transend this, and standing next to a scouser or lids fan should fill us with dread and loathing. Of course this is true, but how do you know the background of the guy standing next to you at the Bar in the Pack Horse. Lets remember that one of our regular matchgoers comes from the wrong end of the A580, ok he is a red (and a sound guy to boot) but if you had never met him before and didn't know his background, you would hear him speak and would probably be quick to judge him.
The 3rd is the one causing most concern and debate, that anyone should be allowed onto the hallowed terraces of Gigg. This would include haters of M16. There are two sides to this, that as our doors are open to all, they should be welcome as long as they buy into the ideals of the club and leave their hatred and predjudice at home. The other side is that they should never be welcome and should stay away. I would say there are two ways of looking at this.
a) If someone has some much hatred for all things United, they wouldn't give it time of day anyway.
b) If they do come along, and shall we say, don't exactly play along to our rules (remember our club, our rules), then maybe a little "self policing" could be used.
And the upshot of all this?
Well there is no right or wrong answer to be honest, and as long as that is the case, the debate will rumble on and on.
Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.

Curse of United

2006-05-25T00:48:00.000+12:00

FC United have made their 1st signing of the summer, with Stuart Rudd coming in from scouse overspill town Skelmersdale. Yes, the Sutart Rudd that scored 38 goals in NWCL1 last season. 38 goals!! 38....goals!!! Unibond here we come then, a team that has a player with a scoring record like that can't fail to get promoted can they? Well probably not, but just have a think. Think of the name of the club FC United of Manchester. A football team with the words Manchester and United in its name. Hmmmnnn. Maybe we shouldn't get too carried away.
You see, over the years, Man United have signed many a player, nay striker, that was going to bang in the goals and win them the title. Garry Birtles won the title and 2 European Cups with Cloughies Forest, came to Utd and couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo.
Alan Brazil, won the FA cup and Uefa cup at Ipswich, had a good few years at Spurs, spent most of his OT life sat on the bench being spat at by the more discerning punters in the Stretford Paddock (and in his few games, actually looked and played like a granny attempting to cross the M6 on foot.)
Peter Davenport and Terry Gibson also came to OT with a big reputation and flopped when on the big stage (Gibson only scoring once, and that was off the bar from 2 yards out!)
Throw Forlan into the mix and you can see what a graveyard OT has been for strikers with big reputations in the game.
Lets hope that the curse hasn't been carried over to Gigg Lane and that the Ruddmeister can bang them in next season
*Disclaimer*
Should the worst happen and he breaks his leg on his debut, this blog takes no responsibility whatsoever.

Pre Season friendlies

2006-05-24T01:43:00.000+12:00

The season is over, the World Cup kicks off in a couple of weeks (Brazil V Argentina final people), the sun will soon be blazing down on us all (arf) and soon the age old tradition of pre season friendlies will be upon us.
I have never really seen the point of the pre season friendlies, apart from the fact that you get to visit new countries and cities (USA in 2003 and 2004,) new grounds, places you would never usually visit etc, but apart from that, there is no point to them.
Players don't really want to get too involved in them as they are finding their fitness after a month of going on holiday and getting pissed up on cheap Spanish rioja and lager and chomping on big fat kebabs, and managers use then to give the YTS lad who was the next Wayne Rooney at 15, but at 17, more like the new Ian Ormandroyd a game, in order to put him in the shop window and mug some other clown of a manager that he can do some wonderous things for his team.
But these days, pre season is different.
Its our preseason, as its our team. It gives us the chance to see who Margy has brought in for the forthcoming season, a chance to tighten up the defence (but please Karl, no Joz there!!) and a visit to Halifax (erm...ok) and the historic Sheffield FC as well as a return trip to Radcliffe and the infamous Last Orders pub (though I feel that the infamous night is like the Loch Ness monster, people talk about it, but it never actually existed)
Add into this pre season the fact that there is a reserve team to watch and more new players to learn about and also a trip to Alty (hope the BBQ is on again) and its hats on the back of the head time once June and the WC is out of the way
Roll on.........

Its ovvvveeerrrr

2006-05-17T03:32:00.000+12:00

So how was it for you then?
For me, it was superb, being involved in a fans club, being a member and having a say in the running of said club, watching a group of lads who have come together from scratch win the league in their 1st season, meeting lots of top quality people and catching up with people who I hadn't seen for years.
This 1st season culminated in a superb trip to Leipzig for a friendly, those of us who had given up M16, and our season tickets 12 months ago thought our Euro Away trips had ended, but no, and last week approx 400 FCers made the trip to Germany to see the lads fight out a 4-4 draw with LOK Locomotive Leipzig.
There has been many a highlight during the season, here are just a few of mine:
* Watching people turn up to Leigh and pack out the Goose and other pubs before the 1st ever game
* The trip to AFC Wimbledon, the welcome down there and the realisation of what was happening.
* The pies at Leek (and also the rain, not sure my jeans ever recovered to be honest)
* The night game at Northwich V Winsford, the 1st difficult league game and with cheating woolybacks to boot.
* Utd Utd day- the largest gate up to that point.
* Cheadle at Edgley Park. Bestie died that week, the silence, the applause, then the goon as Chaddy equalised in the last minute.
* New Mills at Macc Town. Sat out of the rain in the directors box, day of Besties funeral, 5-0 win.
* The trip up to Barrow (after all the build up, 2 flat tyres meant I got there at 2.20pm)
* Flixton on Boxing Day, crap day, crap weather, crap game.
* Winsford at home, huge crowd and a superb 2-1 victory.
* Blackpool in Sunny Feb, quality trip overall, classic beach football game.
* Chadderton at home. 4-0 and promotion.
* Great Harwood Town at Gigg. The presentation, the open top parade, the TAG at The Swan.
* Leipzig away. The 1st FC Euro away, hopefully the 1st of many.
So its Div 1 to come next year and with the new structure of the league, there will be no scouse teams to visit (well ok St Helen's but they don't really count.) No doubt next season will be a lot harder, but with a few new additions to the squad, and with a reserve team, so all the squad will be playing regularly, there is no reason that FC can't do well.
Promotion again? Who knows, will be tough, but it can be done.

Well that's that then

2006-04-18T20:23:00.000+12:00

A bank holiday weekend over and what did we have?

Well there was the United for Alex auction on Thursday and a top time was had by all, then there was the Manchester Passion on Friday and I went out for a pretty good Thai meal, Sunday and Monday was spent visiting relatives etc and erm, that is pretty much it really. Nowt else happened really I don't think....eh?......wha?....match on Sat? Ahh yeah there was some friendly match at Clit-heroe wasn't there, but that was pretty uneventful though wasn't it?

Wasn't it?

Nah was it balls!!

Results elsewhere in NWCL 2 contrived to make Fc United the champions in their 1st ever season. And it was celebrated as it should have been, with fans and players on the pitch together, not with champagne but with stella. And to top the day off, having a few bevs in the Bull in Astley on Sat, who should come in and join us, but the mighty Phil Power and his wife. A big thanks to Phil for not only coming over to join us, but for putting up with being mithered to death by a drunken ejit (yes if you are reading this is an apology)

But what better way to celebrate a title win. Now for the party on Sat, that's the one thing about FC, we know how to throw a good party

SCATTEROH!!!.

What was that weather all about?

2006-04-11T21:35:00.000+12:00

A blizzard a week before Easter? Still it just added to a fun packed day out at Port Vale.
So what did we have?
* A bizzare coach that had a strange 2 seat one side, 3 seat the other side get up.
* A banner that was put at the coach window upside down so it looked like we were getting some German practise in a few weeks early
* A man in a pink polo shirt with a muzzy and a plastic gun.
* The coach driver kicking off with the car park steward.
* Some sort of till roll being handed round over peoples heads.
* Micheal Shields annoucement at half time.
* A linesman who didn't seem to understand the offside rule.
* The worst penalty known to man (did it actually hit the corner flag?)
* A coach driver who doesn't shut up and hands out his passengers chocolate to all and sundry
* A miserable goalkeeper who tells opposing fans in the bar to get out of his way
* One of the Norton players buzzing his tits off on something( he must have been, was far too giddy)
All in all just another strange but funny day following FC away. Roll on the next one.

Who would have thought it

2006-04-07T03:06:00.000+12:00

On May 12th 2006, exactly 1 year since the Ginger Beard took over at M16, FC United will step out on to the pitch to play a European Away game. Not a Euro away in Blackpool, a proper bone fide Euro away, where you have to fly to, spend Euros and everything.

At some point between 7pm and 8pm on Friday 12th May, FC United will play Lokomotive Leipzig in Germany.

Now I thought as of last year, that my days of travelling to Europe to watch matches were over, but no, a friendship (not friendly) game has been organised, and flights have been booked, hotels sorted, train tickets paid for, and now all we need to hope for is that the Germans have stocked up on sausages, beers and for some, Fräuleins as FC United are in town.

There will be a fair old mixture on the trip, old Euro away veterans, euro away virgins, mums and dads with kids, but come 12th May, listen for the roar as Chaddy leads the team out on the continent for the 1st time. It will be drunken, it will be loud, but most of all it will be proud, and a perfect end to our inaugural season and a measure of how far we have come in such a short time.

Any more Pie?

2006-04-06T21:01:00.001+12:00

Forget the overpriced tickets, the sanitised atmosphere, the jesters, Sky taking over kick off times, the biggest problem with top flight football in the past few years has been the catering. Overpriced vans outside grounds selling shite burgers and grotdogs (the exception being Porky Pigs and the Caribbean guy at Old Trafford and the Gazza burgers up at Boro, a burger with Donner meat, heaven on a bun.)
Going to NWCL games has opened a whole new chapter in football cuisine, the humble pie. Now having an aversion to all things Wigan, this may surprise people but ohhh I love a good pie me, and I have found some belters this season.
The season got off to a blinding start at Leek, with a fantastic pie, pea and gravy combination that only cost around £1.50. It may have pissed down, I may have had my jeans stuck to my legs, but I consumed a king pie.
Northwich also threw up a pie/peas combo, which whilst good, was more expensive and served from one of those burger vans, thus ruining the whole ambiance of food being consumed. The pies at Accrington also suffered from this blight as well.
Chorley was another fantasic pie and pea day, helped on its way by the copius amounts of alcohol that was taken on board. The only problem here was the runny peas which ended up on the front of the Henri Lloyd (though no one bothered to tell me)
In fact the worst pieage moments have been at Gigg Lane, a luke warm Balti effort, and at Bloomfield Road, a cack meat and pot effort, and both at league grounds. Coincidence? I think not.
So the award for pie of the season goes to..........de de deeeeee.....Leek CSOB for their opening day pie and peas.
Yum yum.

United for Alex appeal

2006-04-06T06:59:00.000+12:00

Ok so we are pretty much a family at FC United,and in a family you look after your own. One of them is young Alex Croft. If you need to know what this is about click the United for Alex link on the right hand side, read it and get your hands in your pocket and as Sir Bob would put it "Give us yer fecking money"
Have a look at the events planned, find out how to donate, sponsor, make a bid on the auction lots. Don't just think about it. DO IT!!!
Just in case you can't see the link
http://www.unitedforalex.com./
Look at it now people. Please?

Soon be the end of the season

2006-04-06T03:56:00.000+12:00

Where has it gone? Its April and this month the NWCL div 2 (much better than Moore and what ever it is) draws to a close in the next few weeks. Though looking at some of the games in hand some teams have, looks like they will be competing with the World Cup for attention.
But what have been the highlights so far?
Well there has been so many, its hard to choose one so I won't (well its my blog, my rules.)
The actual formation and realisation of the fact that you can start a club from scratch is one thing that stands out and also that all the members own a piece of it and have a say in its running.
Blackpool away has to stand out, after all the build up all season, could it actually live up to what had been said. What the feck do you think? It was all that and more besides (well the bits I actually remember)
Hopefully in the short period of time we have left in the season, there will be the highlights of promotion and a title win.
And on that dark day of May 12th, that was something that seemed far far away.