Well....

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

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....

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

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

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

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

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?