Broadhurst Park, home of FC United of Manchester who were based in Moston, Manchester. It’s February half term on a Tuesday and I don’t have to set my alarm tomorrow! Let’s go watch a match! 18th February 2020 and FC United of Manchester were at home to bottom of the league Stafford Rangers whereas FC were vying for promotion. FC United were formed in 2005 as a new club by a minority of Manchester United fans in protest of the takeover by Malcolm Glazer and would be run as a fan owned club.
Arrival at Manchester Piccadilly and on the bus to Rochdale. Arrival at the ground and at first glance, I am very impressed! As a Liverpool fan, I am sort of on enemy territory here surrounded by Man United fans as well as FC United. £12 to watch this match! Brill! FC United fans already making noise and a big round of applause for the FC United manager Neil Reynolds who came on the pitch before the teams walked out. Positivity!
Kick Off! Bright start to the game for FC United. “What’s it like to be City? What’s it like to be small? What’s it like when your passport is left in the draw? Left in the draw!” FC United fans aiming a chant there at Manchester City who were recently banned from the Champions League which did make me chuckle! 11 minutes gone and a free kick for FC, Luke Griffiths at around 25-30 yards out struck the ball… right into the bottom corner!! 1-0 and deservedly so. United fans in fine voice still, you’d think they don’t like Malcolm Glazer much… But what an expertly written chant I must say and I have to admit that he isn’t rather flash… And now to the main stand: “F*** Off Main Stand!” And their reply: “Who are ya!!?” Lovely banter between the home fans!!
Stafford Rangers started to come back into this game when the ball was crossed in to JAKE CHARLES…. SAVED! Good save there from FC’s Cameron Belford. “This is our club, belongs to you and me! We’re UNITED! United FC!” The game became an end to end affair with close chances for both teams but no more goals and the score at half time was 1-0 to the hosts.
Second half, 10 minutes after the restart, Stafford Rangers were awarded a free kick in a dangerous crossing position. The cross was delivered and looked like going all the way out but Jake Charles had other ideas and headed the ball back across with the keeper committed to an unmarked Jon Moran with the goal gaping equalised for Rangers, 1-1! However, there’s trouble ahead for Stafford, Dan Burns appeared to have thrown the ball at the FC keeper Cameron Belford, Burns had been booked in the first half and the Referee reached for his pocket and the card was shown and an early exit for Dan Burns leaving Stafford with 10 men for the remainder. “Keep the passion in the club, we’ll keep the passion burning!!” They sure are tonight!!!!
FC United knew they had to come again and began to take the game to Stafford. A backs to the wall game for Stafford now who were holding on for dear life, the more attacks FC had, the closer they were getting. 79 minutes gone and the ball was lumped into the Stafford box and the ball fell to Morgan Homson-Smith, cuts inside, SHOOTS…. THERE IT IS!!!! What a finish! 2-1 to FC! “They tried to take it! But we replaced it! With the shirts of United FC!” How many chants do these guys have? Absolutely fantastic from the FC United fans here tonight! United continued to press looking for a third but could not find the killer goal, on another night, they could have had about 5!
FT: FC United of Manchester 2-1 Stafford Rangers
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 10/10 – Hate to say it as a Liverpool fan but so much noise and positivity around the place, some of the funniest chants I’ve heard and singing throughout and a bit of banter with the main stand, a very well run club!
- The Ground: 8/10 – For this level, absolutely brilliant with a lovely bar at the top of the main stand! Probably one of the best non league grounds I’ll ever visit.
- Expense: 10/10 – £12 to see 3 goals and a cracking atmosphere! That’s all you can ask for at a football match!
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – A great time and a great club which as a Liverpool fan again I hate to say but you have to give it to the people who formed this club! If it wasn’t for Malcolm Glazer, the Atmosphere at Old Trafford would be a lot more electric than people talk about…
37/40