It's a fighting spirit that writer, football fan and Mancunian Robert Brady was keen to express when he decided to produce a book on the formation and first season of Football Club United of Manchester, or FC United as it's better known.
Entitled An Undividable Glow, it tells the story of the club formed in July 2005 ("on Oldham Street," Robert says, proudly) after Malcolm Glazer's controversial takeover of Manchester United.
It's a very funny, very personal journey, full of the daft things that football fans get up to - as well as the heartbreak so many suffered when they felt forced, as a matter of principle, to break away from the Premiership club they'd supported for so long.
"It's a story about love and loss - no more than that," says Robert. "It's my take on what happened.
"I wasn't frightened. There was only one chance to make sure it wasn't lost to history."
Robert, who was a member of the steering committee of 15 ("the dirty half-30") who set up FC United in July 2005, was also the longest-standing writer for Manchester United fanzines United We Stand and Red Issue. After the loss of his father last February, he found he had the reflective time to write the book, which took nine months.
From the sadness of loss, to the highs of creating and owning a club, the book reveals Robert's emotions - as well as the club's successes and defeats.
"What we've got is a democratic model," Robert explains. "FC United is a not-for-profit organisation set up with a `one member-one vote' system in order for all members to have control. Manchester United had 34,000 shareholders, but they had no control.
Priced out
"Eighteen-year-olds can get into our matches for é2 instead of being priced out. We saw this starting to happen: no standing at matches, rubbish beer.
"We saw where the premiership club was going and that we had a chance to change. We voted on the name, the badge, the new, accountable club board. It's such a lovely thing to not have sponsorship on our shirts.
"I'm a trade unionist, and the most important things to me are things like family, love and home. Your football club is not a brand - it's something you have stamped on your birth certificate almost."
Robert is proud of the fact that the book was written, printed and published in Manchester.
"It would have been cheaper to produce the book abroad or in London, but I chose to have it printed in Ancoats," he says, adding: "Manchester United were formed in Newton Heath in 1878. Perhaps one ideal is that we'll end up as a feeder club for United, but it's up to the members to decide. For now, we're playing a part in keeping community football alive."
History and the common heritage of the two clubs, along with the "United" of their names, is something Robert is constantly keen to flag up.
"My book would only be considered successful to me if the 40,000-plus United fans who stood up and sang United Not For Sale read it. It's a unity offensive, aiming to bring people together."
Then, immediately after the seriousness, comes the irreverent humour.
"The level we're watching isn't Rooney or Ronaldo, but it is inspiring, raucous and accessible, and Reds who are going are loving it. One of our players is a plumber - which means he might have 6,000 people shouting his name one day, and his hand down a toilet the next."
An Undividable Glow, is available at fcunitedbook.co.uk Tweet
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"Perhaps one ideal is that we'll end up as a feeder club for United". The way Glazers are selling players, I think United might end up a feeder club to FC United as they are to just about everyone else. If the plumber he is talking about is Joz Mitten, he now plays for Flixton and he played against us on 23 December at Valley Road. We had a banner saying "Joz Mitten, FC United legend" on it for the match. Flixton are still in the FA Vase so hopefully they can go all the way and our Joz get his FA Vase final. I'll settle for promotion to step 4. Viva la revolution, come on FC.
If 40 thousand people who stood and shouted United not for sale buy this book is this not ANOTHER example of gross HYPOCRISY by these judas types. The very things these people complained about at OT they are doing exactly the same in replica shirts dvds an ever growing pr machine behind them. In a couple of years time when SAF has retired maybe the inauguration of the HYPOCRITES cup an annual game between MU and FC of BURY.
Oi Cynical
You run a football club on hot air.
Mr Cynical, I really don't think Brady wrote this book for profit. For starters the price of the book is £8.78 - work out the relevance. I suppose he could have charged £18.78 but he didn't want to.
I don't agree with everything Brady says, such as his insinuations that everyone from Hale Barns is a "snot", but I've no doubt he wrote the book to express his thoughts on our club, and not to make money.
Mr Cynical - the big difference between FC and United is that every penny generated by FC goes back into the development of the club, rather than to pay shareholders or debtors. Your rant is misguided anyway - the book has been published by Rob himself on his own behalf, and any profit will be his, not the club's. I hope 40,000 people do buy it - I have and I loved it.
Get a grip, Mr Cynical.
There is no hypocrisy. Can't you see the difference between money going to pay off the Glazers' debt (a debt they incurred in buying our club), and money put into FC United, whether it be through the turnstiles or for shirts, DVDs etc?
The money that goes to FC comes back to you, as it is ALL re-invested in the club, NONE going to outside parties.
I don't recall that Judas stuck to his principles, which is exactly what those who follow FC United have done.
I agree with all the sentiments except that 'maybe FC will become a feeder club". FC is a club in its own right. As for 'judas' accusations, the original judas allegedly received money (30 pieces of silver) - we are doing it out of passion and principle, not silver (cue the tampa twins and slurs about andy walsh?) and then repented and committed suicide. No chance of rependence from us, and we are having too much fun to contemplate ending it all. Forza FCUoM
Mr Cynical.
I wonder how many games you have been too at Old Trafford this last year or so on your wages with your family. I get 20 something matches of entertainment for £120. You if you could afford it would get 3 games.
Mr Cynical.
Many of us were not allowed to become a Judas as we were priced out of football years ago.
It's comments like this -
"Perhaps one ideal is that we'll end up as a feeder club for United, but it's up to the members to decide."
that get me. So FC members will decide if they want to become a feeder club for United? Got the impression United, and United fans will have something to say about it. Will never happen. All this FC thing is an attempt to set up a mini Manchester United.
I PERSONALLY ADMIRE YOU FC FANS 100% YOUR A CREDIT TO YOURSELFS FOR STICKING TO YOUR PRINCIPLES ,YOU HAVE SAVE MANY A NON LEAGUE CLUB WITH YOUR GREAT FOLLOWING ,YOUR TEAM PLAYS GREAT FOOTBALL , LONG MAY YOUR SUCCESS CONTINUE , AND BEST WISHES FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON UP THE AMMIES
Well worth a read, some of Rob's anecdotes had me crying with laughter.
On the serious side it reflects on when genuine, time served United fans had simply had enough of the corporate monster that is now PL football.
Manchester has always ben a radical city from the birth of the Trade Union movement, the Suffragettes, the Peterloo Massacre to Punk Rock.
FC United in it's small way is another revolution, giving the game back to the people it was meant for and Rob's book describes this well.
Well, I read this book and found the experience an uplifting one. Knowing that there are people out there, ready and prepared to stand up for what's right, no matter what the personal sacrifice gives me an Undividable Glow.
Brady spent 9 months of his life writing this book, it must have been a heartbreaking experience for someone who has spent all his life in the Stretford End.
It is well written, down to the gritty Manchester street level and very funny.
Glazer will be gone one day. The beating hearts of the Manchester Reds.... Big United and FCUM.... will go on forever.
A must buy.
It would be nice if the 40,000+ who sang "Not for Sale" had the backbone to walk away from OT. Now, they are the real Judases. Two Uniteds but the Soul is One.
Mr Cynical - you are either a WUM or a bitter. Besides if FC of Bury were to play your 'supposed' team we would play TUFC (as in Trafford United) but to say that would be being as stupid as you & we don't want to go there. do we, as we'd be there all week? ## THERE'S ONLY ONE UNITED. MUFCUM til I die.
mr cyncial, or should we call you tufty or TON???
get a grip and get your head out of your back side!!! anyone can see what FC is for and rob has written a fantastic book about the club and the first season, if you have not read it and no intention of reading it, and just here to make crass comments and try and take a cheap shot at FC then it proves what sad bitter and twisted people you are...
Like I said about this book when it was discussed by Stuart Brennan SEVERAL months ago. I received an advanced copy and it is total rubbish. I wish it was "not for sale".
Is Emma Unsworth an anagram of something? It doesn't sound like a real name.
Next up, ATHERTON Cols v. FC UNITED. Saturday 6th January 2007 k.o. 3.00pm. This league game is to be played at Leigh RMI's ground, Hilton Park, Kirkhall Lane, Leigh, WN7 1RN. Admission will be pay on the gate prices are £7 Adults £3 Concession for OAPs & under 16s. Athertons hat trick hero from our last league encounter, Anthony Pilkington, has since signed for Stockport County. I think we all knew he was destined for the football league and I would like to wish the lad all the best. Atherton Cols are still the only team to beat FC United at home in the league this season so the chance for a little revenge is on the cards. After their 3-0 derby defeat away to Flixton, Salford City beat St Helens Town 2-6 away on Wednesday night to claim top spot in the NWCFL Div one table. But with Salford not playing on Saturday, we could reclaim top spot on GD with four games in hand if we get the win. Directions to the Ground: From the North: Exit J23 from M6, towards Manchester on A580. Take the A579 (Bolton, Pennington Flash). At lights (ASDA on left), turn right, right again into Glebe Street, right into Chadwick Street. The ground is straight ahead. From the South: Exit J22 from M6. Take A572 (Winwick Lane) towards Leigh, then the A580 (Manchester).Left onto the A579 (Bolton, Pennington Flash). At lights (ASDA on left), turn right, right again into Glebe Street, right into Chadwick Street. The ground is straight ahead. From the East: M1, M62, M60 (anti-clockwise): Leave the M60 at junction 14 for the A580 towards Liverpool, take the A579 signposted Bolton and Pennington Flash, continue along this road till you see the ASDA Store on left and the football ground on right, turn right at the traffic lights then right again into Glebe St, next right into Chadwick St and ground straight ahead. By Rail:Travel by Rail the nearest station is Atherton Central on the Rochdale Southport line. trains run every 30mins and it takes approx 24 mins from Manchester Victoria. The 582 Bus from outside the station is every 10 mins and goes directly to the ground a journey of about 10 mins. Parking: Be advised that all matchday parking will be available on the Leigh East side of the ground and that for Health & Safety purposes the end behind the goal known locally as the Asda end will be closed and cordoned off. Viva la revolution, come on FC.
Brady is a legend and loses ding on every copy of his book sold
good red sound red
Cant wait to read it, sounds a grate book.
I remember putting on Fools Gold the day Glazer took over, I was in tears and swore I'd never set foot in OT again. He ripped out the heart and soul of the club I had loved since 1993 and from then on I was only ever going to be FCUM.
I have read Brady for ages on line so I know his unique style and Manchester humour will appeal to me and to the thousand like me, it's "What the world has been waiting for'
One love!
I sold my LMTB to a mate and threw my lot in with FC when the Glazers took over and pushed the club into chaos, just doing aways and Euros at Big United when I could fit them in - and t's been a great season thus far. Robs book reminded me why I travel so many miles week in, week out to follow the shirts, much as it breaks my heart to be funneling money to the greedy board at manU.
And if SAF brings the title back in 2007, Ged, I'm having my season ticket back.
Dash Walny, your name is an anagram of Handy Laws.
I heard Rob was giving gratis copies of his book on Sir Matt Busby Way to good sound Reds who didn't have the right money. He could have taken a tenner and kept the ¿¿1.22 change, but that didn't sit right with a Trade Unionist like Rob.
Trust - that's what sets us Reds apart.
Dash Walny, your name is an anagram of Andy Walsh and I claim my five pounds. It's a great book well worth a read if you ever get a copy. I will be sending a copy to SAF to remind him of his lost roots, the people he used to be a part of before he sold his soul to Glazer.