FC United – The people’s club


“the new ground will deliver new sports, social and


function facilities to Newton Heath, an area which faces


signifi cant social and economic challenges...”


Never more so than when we


found ourselves in the midst of a dream run in the FA Cup. We drew Barrow at home in the fi nal FA Cup qualifying


round and I turned up early to deal with several TV crews and


radio commentators. Before our game kicked off, the cameras fi lmed us watching the draw for the fi rst round proper - even when we were drawn away to mighty Rochdale, I never REALLY thought we’d get there. But we beat Barrow and suddenly


stunned into silence except for the occasional disbelieving, then utterly gleeful grin. Next it was


“The more I thought about what FC United would represent, the more I liked the idea...”


there was even more of a buzz around the club. Media interest rocketed and hundreds of extra supporters joined the regulars at the Rochdale tie. It was one of the most incredible


nights I’ve experienced at a football match. Our stand was literally rocking – the commentators even had to hold down their TV monitors – as we willed our plucky part-timers on to a last-gasp win that I would not have believed if I hadn’t seen it. I shared a minibus with seven excited regulars on the way to Rochdale; on the way back we were


on to Brighton where more Roy of the Rovers stuff saw us take the lead, only to be pegged back, go down to 10 men and then concede a penalty in injury time. Naturally, our keeper saved it! And we brought Brighton


back to Gigg Lane for the replay. We went out that night but I could not have been prouder of my team, my fellow fans and my club.


A community shared


The raised profi le and interest from our FA Cup run meant it was the ideal time for our pioneering community shares scheme. The aim is to raise £1.5million of


investment towards the £3.5m needed to build our own ground at Ten Acres Lane in Newton Heath – the birthplace of Manchester United and, in my opinion,


the key to FC United’s long-term survival. Our community shares scheme enables people to participate as shareholders in funding the community facilities built as part of the stadium development. This will deliver new sports, social and function facilities to Newton Heath, an area which faces signifi cant social and economic challenges. The scheme is unique in football as


it allows capital investment without affecting FC United’s “one member, one vote” co-operative ownership structure. Investors can purchase £1 shares to a value ranging from £200 to £20,000. We have now raised £1.1m in


community shares and more than £300,000 of the £500,000 in donations needed for our Development Fund. An extraordinary achievement by ordinary people – but that’s FC United of Manchester all over.


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