IF THE KIDS ARE UNITED..............

Last updated : 08 June 2005 By Ed

"We are determined to bring FC United into existence.

"Our bid to be admitted into the North West Counties League will be made at their AGM on June 19 and we are hopeful of a favourable response.

"This isn't a knee-jerk reaction to the Glazer takeover which we are totally opposed to. We are not stupid. We know we can't compete against the might of Manchester United. But what we want to create is a football club for all those fans who will not accept what is taking place at Old Trafford.

"We have already got pledge forms signed by over 1,000 United fans who wish to become paying members of the new club so there is money in the kitty.

"It is that money we intend to use to engage the services of a manager who knows North-West soccer inside out which is why we made our approach to Brian Kidd. We understand the reasons why he turned us down but there are other people equally well qualified we would like to speak to.

"We are not day-dreamers who are thinking that some time in the future FC United are going to be in the Premiership. Our ambitions for the new club stretch no further at the moment than getting into the Conference one day.

"Our reasons for forming the new club are simple. We want a club which is owned and run by its members on the lines of Barcelona. We no longer want to be associated with a club owned by an American family who care nothing for ordinary supporters.

"We want United fans to come and watch a team that kicks off at three o'clock every Saturday. We want supporters to be able to stand with their mates and enjoy a game of football just like they once did at Old Trafford.

"Even at the level FC United will be playing at, we still believe the fans will turn up.

"If you take the various supporters' organisations who have turned their back on Old Trafford because of the Glazer takeover, the new club could have a potential fan base in the region of 40,000."