From today's Observer:
Yesterday they played their first game, a friendly at Leigh RMI that drew a crowd of 2,552, more than most clubs in FC United's league, the North-West Counties Division Two, attract in an entire season. Outside rustic Hilton Park a man in a baseball cap swigged Tennants Super and ignored the young girls selling programmes from buckets. Inside, near Belly Busters pie bar, Rob Kenney, a cinema manager who had made the trip from London, wanted to talk Glazer.
'I'm sure his mother thinks he's a nice chap, but she's the only one. He'll ruin Manchester United. Three months ago they were one of the richest clubs in the world, now they're the ones most in debt. FC United is football like when I first started at Old Trafford in 1967.'
On the packed terrace behind the home goal, the FC 'faithful' drank bottled beer and ate chips in the sun. Then came the chants: 'Stand up cos you've got no seats'; 'United are going to Barrow'; 'You are my Solskjaer'; 'All I know is Glazer's going to die'.
On the pitch, having lost skipper Billy McCartney with a dislocated elbow, a flurry of half-time substitutions was followed by a trio of streakers. The result was a 0-0 draw, but it was not about the result and at the final whistle, the United fans invaded the pitch to indicate their appreciation.
In 1878, railwaymen who fancied a kickabout formed Newton Heath Football Club. In 1902 they became Manchester United and a century later a worldwide, multimillion pound plc. When the American businessman Glazer bought the club for £790m, hundreds of supporters threatened to relinquish their season tickets. In fact 120 gave them up to create their own club, one run by fans for fans.
FC United came into being in a Rusholme curryhouse called The Dildar on 18 May. Within two months, they have played their first match and on Friday they announced a groundshare at Bury's Gigg Lane, where they will entertain, among others, Cheadle Town, Blackpool Mechanics and Leek CSOB.
Marginson has former Old Trafford apprentices Mark Rawlinson and Paul Mitten, who were in the year below David Beckham,on the books.
FC United are one of a new wave of clubs created by fans who feel the need to reassert the true values of the game.
'AFC Telford, Enfield and AFC Wimbledon show it can be done, that it is sustainable and it's good fun,' says Dave Boyle, an official of Support ers Direct, formed to help unhappy fans who wish to 'play a responsible role in their club'.
Supporters Direct offered their help to FC United, as did Kris Stewart, chairman of AFC Wimbledon - who within three years of forming had their own stadium and an average gate of 3,000.
'One of the stupidest things clubs do is forget that fans are incredibly dedicated and resourceful,' says Stewart. 'Three years later, for example, we have an older gentleman who takes the train down early from Wakefield so that he can help out in the AFC shop and attend the game. It's not just about saving money, it's keeping the club together.'
As with all supporters trust clubs, FC have a constitution, voted in by the founding members. 'A lot of people thought, because there may be a jaundiced view of Man United supporters, they would not actually set it up,' says Boyle. 'So we discussed it with the FA and various leagues. FC United were very keen on one-member-one-vote, as Barcelona have. This is not a pipedream.'
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1530459,00.html