Rebels await FA verdict

Stuart Brennan

April 04, 2007

FC UNITED could clinch promotion by Easter Monday if an FA decision goes in their favour.

The Rebels, who face Nelson away tonight, are awaiting news of the outcome of the League's Committee meeting being held at Soho Square, which is expected to give the green light to three teams from the North West Counties League moving up to the newly-expanded UniBond League next season.

Wins at Nelson tonight and at Ramsbottom on Saturday would seal a top-three finish for the alternative United.

There is even a possibility that FC could virtually secure promotion tonight, if the league's committee presses for four clubs from the NWCL to go up.

The league itself is likely to resist any such move, as it is concerned it would leave itself short of numbers.

Victory tonight would move FC onto 93 points, and only three clubs can overtake that figure. Trafford could match it, but their goal difference of 43 is a long way behind FC's difference of 92.

Promotion

FC boss Karl Marginson says there will be no celebration until promotion, and the league title, are in the bag. "The aim is promotion, but we have got ourselves into a position where we would be disappointed not to win the title as well.

"Everyone is targeting top spot as that is the only place that will guarantee promotion at this stage, and that means winning every game.

"Monday's match against Maine Road could be a promotion decider and we need all the support we can get to give the lads a final push."

Strikers Stuart Rudd and Rory Patterson, who both picked up ankle injuries after scoring in the League Challenge Cup semi-final victory over Congleton at the weekend, are both fit for tonight's game and Jerome Wright returns after being cup-tied.

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Free Red, Manchester (04/04/2007 at 09:21)

I read about this yesterday and I'm not waiting on the FA for anything. Margy is right, we still have 8 league games to play and I have no doubt, "in fact I expect", each will be played like a cup final as they have all season. Anything less would be disrespectful to other clubs we play, clubs seeking promotion relying on our results and disrespectful to all fans of all clubs concerned. Match going info for NELSON FC v FC UNITED. Tonight's league away, Wednesday 4 April 2007. k.o. 7.45pm. This game is to be played at Victoria Park, Lomeshaye Way, Nelson, Lancashire, BB9 7BN. This match will be pay on the gate. Admission £5 Adults and £3 Concessions U18's & over 65's. DIRECTIONS. From the M60 jct 18 take the M66 north to the end of this motorway at Stubbins and change for the A56 to jct 8 of the M65. Take the M65 east to jct 13 and exit the motorway. Take first left (A6068 Fence), 2nd left (B6249 Nelson), the 2nd right, signposted Lomeshaye Village, to ground. Nearest Railway Station is in Nelson. Viva revolution, come on FC.

shanny, Hyde, Cheshire (04/04/2007 at 09:28)

Which sunday morning pub league will they get promoted to then?

Free Red, Manchester (04/04/2007 at 10:04)

P.S. I read yesterday that to create this sixth step 4 division may require more than three clubs being promoted from the NWCFL div 1, something that won't have been lost on our title rivals. There will initially be a minimum of 18 clubs in the extra division, so I would prefer two of four more to be promoted as we will have less matches to watch. Don't suppose the NWCFL would take kindly to that though.

Stad, Manchester (04/04/2007 at 16:02)

Shanny Hyde,Does your football snobbery stem from years of being spoiled by watching footballing masterclass at wastelands while sat in silence disguised as a blue plastic seat?
Your comments are offensive to ALL teams in the North West Counties Football League.
Anyway if current form prevails we could be seeing FC United V City in league 2 in the not too many years from now.

Boo of Salford, Exiled in Gateshead (04/04/2007 at 16:14)

To the 'Bitter' from Hyde (near Stockport), Nelson away......we'll still be taking more support than you could muster at Wigan/Bolton!!!

MASSIVE support eh...???

FCUM - Real Soul

PC, wilmslow (04/04/2007 at 17:30)

It is really ignorant to call it a sunday pub league.

Tell me shanny, what level do you play at? If you knew anything about football you would not call the Northern Premier League a pub league.

Don't forget city were only 3 divisions above the NPL a few years back.

Steven Wood (Leigh) (04/04/2007 at 21:32)

its great news Margy deserves Fergies knighthood for this, what he has achieved in 2 seasons is jusy amazing

Free Red, Manchester (08/04/2007 at 08:04)

Ramsbottom 1-2 FC United and with that promotion to step 4 and if we win 3 of our remaining 6 league games we will also be promoted as champions starting with our derby against Maine Road FC tomorrow.

Free Red, Manchester (10/04/2007 at 09:42)

FC United 3-0 Maine Road. If we win at Colne next Saturday, then we should become champions with a home win againt Atherton the following Saturday and that's if Curzon win theirs as well.

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