FC United - Two fingers to modern day football

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Blofeld

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Before I begin, I will write a few lines about FC United of Manchester and what they stand for. A little introduction if you like.
They are a fan owned football club, ran by the fans for the fans, the way it should be. A bunch of Manchester United fans who had enough of the Glazer family owning the club and modern football in general, no standing and singing, sky dictating kick off times, stupid ticket prices etc. FC United prove modern day football is still for the working class fan, and not for greedy executives.

It was a fine summer’s afternoon at Gigg Lane, Bury, the 7th of July was a day of transition for FC United. As the current manager Karl Marginson handed in his notice stating he could take the club as far as he could, a new but inexperienced manager walked through the door to take his place. His name is Adam Carpenter, a diehard Manchester United fan but a long time FC United admirer.
Adam met up with Sky Sports at 1 pm at the Gigg Lane press conference room, the same day of his announcement as manager to discuss the future of the club how he goes about putting things into place.




INTERVIEW

SKY SPORTS: So, you are unveiled here as the new FC United boss, how do you feel?
CARPENTER: I am delighted it is the first stepping stone in my career and loving the principles of this club also helps things. I am determined to push FC United further up the footballing ladder where they belong, having a good 2000 – 3000 fans at each home game pushing the team on will work wonders too.

SKY SPORTS: What is your take on how the club is run and the huge support for a non league side?
CARPENTER: It’s fantastic, fan ownership is how football clubs should be ran and stopping corporate greed like the Glazers from taking money from the club for no need and the fans are the ones who care most. I fully understand why the fans come here, to relive the passion and atmosphere they get from watching football which they lost at Old Trafford, but they are a big boost to our chances.

SKY SPORTS: Do you plan on keeping the same squad you have now for the season or will wholesale changes be implemented?
CARPENTER: I will have to have a look in training and see what I have. I don’t think I would need whole sale changes. But I am sure to be looking in the market for a few bargain deals. I need a big squad to be able to cope this season. That is my main aim.

SKY SPORTS: Last question, what are your expectations for the team this term?
CARPENTER: Automatic Promotion no doubt, we are by far the biggest club in this league and anything less will be disappointing.
 
Brilliant OP mate; I'll be following.
 
Cheers lads, I will be updating this daily.

One more thing I will let you all know is the season has already been completed, I am in the process of writing it all up, detailed match reports etc. I won't let you know the outcome of where I came in the league to keep a bit of suspense in there 8-|
 
I'm following - this has huge potential to go places!
 
SHould be interesting if you can get them up to the same league as Man Utd now ;)
 
is the aim to beat Man United then?. I was going to do an FC United story but chose to do a joint story instead.
 
na he is a utd fan and hates whats happening to do the club so is also supporting fc united
 
PRE SEASON GAMES – MATCH REPORTS


FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER 2 – 0 FC UNITED RESERVES​




So, on passed the rest of the manic first day, Carpenter arranged friendlies, several of them too. The first was on the very next day after his appointment. A match with FC United reserves to have a quick glimpse at some of the talent of his squad and what issues needed addressing.
It was a good day for the first team and in particular young striker Ben Deegan, who showed some great promise and impressed manager Carpenter who sat back for a good view in the stands. The first team had the lion’s share of possession in the first half. Within 12 minutes though Adam Carden for the reserves goes in for a crunching challenge on first team full back Ben Morris, lengthy treatment was required but Morris came on and battled through it.
A great chance came upon Deegan in the 14th minute. He was played through from a header from teammate Nick O’Connor and latched onto it one on one with the keeper but spooned it wide, a great chance but not taken. The next 20 minutes were more of a fight over possession than actual clear cut chances, both keepers making smart saves to deny conceding. Then on the 41st minute a good sequence of passing in the midfield saw Deegan with a great chance, Nick O’Connor dropped deep to collect the ball, he played an exquisite ball where Deegan brings the ball down on his chest and skips past his man, and then rifles it low past the Grant Shenton in the reserves goal to give the first team the lead, 1-0. The next four or five minutes saw no chances and at half time the first team went in 1-0 up.
The second half kicked off with everyone re-energized and looking to catch the eye of the new manager in the stands, it was a battle of possession again and no real chances, some very good passing from both sides and the midfield of each side looked incredibly comfortable with the ball, Carpenter noticed that the midfield was technically sound and he had god strength in depth in that position. On the 58th minute Ben Deegan was on cue to score his second of the game, a throw in from right back Danny Stott where Ludovic Quistin ran down the line and beat two men, he then dragged it back for Deegan to beat a man and curl one in off the far post, 2-0 and young Deegan has a brace.
The final 30 minutes petered out a bit and wasn’t the best spectacle to watch, Adam Carden had a good chance to pull one back for the reserves but never took his chance, and the game finished a 2-0 win for the first team, Carpenter particularly impressed with the link up of Ben Deegan and Nick O’Connor.
The Manchester Evening News caught Carpenter for a few words after the game, his words on the match were, ‘’today was a great day to assess my squad, I won’t judge people too much yet as it is only one game but there were certain people who impressed me, I can see I already have a mixture of power, athleticism but also technicality in the midfield, some players will come, some will go but I am not ready to talk about transfers yet. Today reflected we already have a good squad and wholesale changes won’t be necessary.’’










RADCLIFFE BORO 2 – 1 FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER​




Three days after Carpenter witnessed a great performance from striker Ben Deegan, FC United travelled to Radcliffe Boro. This was a more entertaining game and it started very brightly, FC started well and had a couple of good early chances. A shot over the bar from Mark E’Beyer and a wide shot from Danny Warrender was what FC had to offer, but for those two poor misses Radcliffe put pay to that. Ben Deegan dispossessed in the middle of the field and the ball was played out wide to Jody Banim where he dragged it inside and let a ferocious shot fly past goalkeeper Michael Davenport. 1-0 to Radcliffe.
The goalkeeper from Radcliffe was on fine form denying FC twice in short succession after the goal, but Ben Deegan finally levelled it up in the 28th
minute. He was slipped through and one on one with the goalie and kept his nerve to make it 1 a piece, game on. The rest of the first half after this was low key to say the least and at the break the sides were evenly matched at 1-1.
The second half kicked off and Radcliffe had the extra spring in their step, they looked the most likely to score and just approaching the hour mark where Radcliffe found the net again. This time a delightful ball whipped in for Jody Banim to score again but there was suspicions of offside, well Jerome Wright was convinced he was off anyway, but the goal stood and FC had to lump it.
FC tried to get themselves back into it but with no avail. Radcliffe had a stern defence not to be breached and held on. A good pre season work out as the result was not important, but the defence looked to be preached fairly easily on a couple of occasions and Carpenter may look in the market if he feels worried.
After the game BBC sport caught up with Carpenter to grab a few words on today’s match, ‘’I am happy with a good workout for the team the main focus is to get them fit for the long season ahead, not an ideal result but we did well. I am confident with my current squad but may think about lining up a deal for a new defender.’’
 
PRE SEASON GAMES – MATCH REPORTS



ABBEY HEY 0 – 0 FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER​





Again three days later FC United had another away outing, this time at North West County Premier outfit Abbey Hey. The game was not the brightest of all with no great action in front of goal, and both keepers looking not to be beaten. David Neville had a half chance with his shot flying over the cross bar, a couple of good saves from FC goalkeeper Michael Davenport kept Abbey Hey at bay for the first half, and as the first half drew to a close Roger Valentine was through on goal for Abbey Hey but apart from some smart keeping from Davenport Abbey Hey would have taken the lead. But instead a strong arm form the goal keeper kept it out.
The second half was another dull one with Davenport called into action another couple of times, Ben Deegan had a good chance towards the end but directed it over. With the match over at 0-0 it did everyone a favour of blowing the final whistle.
After the game Carpenter spoke with Sky Sports ‘’it was a bit of a boring game to be fair but the goalkeeper was the most impressive player for me today. I haven’t learnt too much about my team and don’t have much to say from today’s performance really.‘’






FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER 1 – 1 SOLIHULL MOORS​





A full 6 days later from the last pre season match and a totally different FC United team lined up to start this game. Solihull, who is a league higher than FC United, started the brighter of the two, looking sharp up front and had intent to attack the FC Unite back four, and got their just reward after 9 minutes in. James McPike was played through and he poked the ball past the onrushing keeper Michael Davenport. 1-0 Solihull with a very good start. Solihull continued to press on and attack with purpose and they continued to make chances, a glancing header just flying past the post and long ranger whiskers over the crossbar were as good as they got for the rest of the first half. FC did battle back a bit towards the end of the half but Solihull was always in control and this half belonged to them. 1-0 at the break and cue mass changes on the home side’s bench.
The second half got underway and 8 changes were made to the side. This team looked a lot more up for it and fitter than the team of the first half and started to push Solihull Moors back a bit more. FC started to have some corners where tall centre half David Chadwick looked threatening with a couple of headers that tested the goal keeper. Then in the 57th minute Nick O’Connor replaced trialist Michael Currie and he improved the dynamic shape of the attack. With his great flair, speed and agility he started worrying the Solihull defenders and weaved his way through a few times but only to be blocked off. He then beat the offside trap at 65 minutes and found himself 1 on 1 but could not convert. On the 70th minute Jerome Wright broke free inside the box, but only to be dragged back from the right back, penalty for shirt tugging, and up stepped young 16 year old Nick O’Connor, who calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way with his placed penalty. Cool as you like, 1-1.
From now on in FC United were the much better side, attacking with purpose and creating numerous chances which were failed to be taken. Adam Carden had to be stretchered off for an awkward twist on the pitch, and at the end of the game considering the two halves were so different I would say 1-1 was probably the fair result.
Carpenter had a quick word with ESPN after the game and these were his words ‘’I was happy with our performance today, testing ourselves against better opposition in terms of league difference is always good to see how good your squad really is, and we put up a great fight. Where Solihull are now is where I want our club to be this time next year, in the Blue Square North.’’
 
try and organise a friendly against man u or their reserves to raise funds
 
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