I can understand Rory Patterson switching to BPA because the clubs owner, Bob 'the builder' Blackburn, is spending league club type money on the team and paying league club type wages. With a young family Rory would have been daft not to take the opportunity. What I can't fully understand is why Karl released Stuart Rudd without first finding a replacement. I know that Stuart had become a bit slower after an injury ridden 2007/08 season and it is debatable whether he was ever going to regain his past form. But I still think he could have done us a job until a replacement CF comes along. Having said that Karl has managed three promotions in FC United's three year existence and listening to him on FCUM.TV he sounds confident of getting into the play offs again, so who am I to argue with a man who hasn't put a foot wrong. Viva la Revolution, come on FC.

IS ANYONE REALLY BOTHERD.FREE RED YOU MIGHT AS WELL SIT IN A DARK ROOM AND PRATTLE ON TO YOURSELF.NO ONE IS INTERESTED IN THE SLIGHTEST.

MALCOLM G, TAMESIDE, YOU CLEARLY ARE (LOL)

NANTWICH TOWN v. FC UNITED, Friday 8th August 2008, Kick off 8.00pm. This match is to be played at Witton Albion's Wincham Park Chapel Street, Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 6DA. Admission is pay on the gate Adults £7 Concessions £4 Under 16s £2.

Our friendly that got rained off last pre-season will finally be played tonight. FC United were informed earlier that Nantwich are unable to use their ground for this friendly due to overrunning work to re-lay the pitch. Unfortunately, Nantwich have been unable to find a suitable venue to hold the game on the planned Saturday, so we have agreed to play the match at Witton Albion's ground on Friday 8 August. As a good will gesture, Nantwich have dropped their admission prices for this game by £1 for adults and concessions.

Directions: From junction 19 of the M6, follow A556 towards Northwich for 3 miles, before turning right at the beginning of the dual carriageway, onto the A559. After 3/4 of a mile, turn right at the traffic lights at the "Slow & Easy" pub. After another 3/4 mile, turn left opposite the "Black Greyhound" Inn into Wincham Lane. The ground is 1/2 mile on the left immediately after crossing the canal. Viva la Revolution, come on FC

THOSE DIRECTIONS ARE WRONG

Those directions are bang on (as well you know)

Keep up the good work Free Red, at least your comments are worth taking notice of.

FCUoM got a good win last night against Nantwich winning 3-0 with goals from new first team players Kyle Wilson and Rhys Hardie. The first goal came around the 20 minute mark with a good finish in the bottom left. The second goal was a defensive error when one of their defenders tried to head the ball back to his own keeper it went into the back of their net. The third came at the end during a frantic defensive scramble that ended up with Hardie putting it in. All in all a good night out if United win tomorrow it will finish a good weekend off nicely cos I am off to London for the CL against Portsmouth tomorrow. Up the Reds!

Next up, FC UNITED v MATLOCK TOWN, Saturday, 16 August 2008, k.o. 3:00pm at home to Gigg lane in our first match of the 2008/09 season and first ever match in the NPL Premier league. As well as gaining three promotions in three years and winning two cup competitions on the way, one of FC United's proudest achievements has been the amount of under-18s coming through the gates to watch live football.

Lads attending matches with their dads is a tradition that seems to be in decline at top flight grounds around the country but with our club's commitment to providing affordable football for all, lads and dads are a very common sight on the terraces when FC United play.

With the new season nearly upon us, the official website caught up with just one of the many families that are keeping proud United traditions running through the generations, to give us their thoughts on the season just gone and the one coming up.

The Magraths from Middleton are season ticket holders who first decided to give FC United a go at a Youth United Day in October 2006. Joseph, 16, Liam, 12 and dad John, 42 and 3/4, have been hooked ever since.

Asked to give their favourite aspect of following FC United, all three were in agreement. "The atmosphere – it can't be beaten anywhere else," says Joseph and Liam noted that there was always support for the team, "home and away, regardless of the result."

It was the same for their dad too: "Definitely the atmosphere on the terraces and the banter between the main stand and the MRE. Oh and the introduction of Course you can Malcolm - excellent bands with good food and beer."

Although Joseph thinks 'we pushed our luck' last season, both he and Liam thought we'd get promoted in the end and along with John, they are all firm believers of the 'In Margy we trust' mantra.

Since then though there's been a few comings and goings at the club, most noticeably of course the departure of Rory Patterson – something the lads admit to being 'gutted' about. But Joseph astutely notes: "That's football, other players will follow in his footsteps and become great players."

An opinion that is echoed by his dad: "I'll have fond memories of what he achieved in such a short space of time and the good rapport he had with the fans. But FC is about the whole thing not just those that take the spotlight."

So, with the dust now settled, the Magraths are looking forward to the prospect of the new season. Liam is optimistic especially since his favourite player Jerome Wright has signed on for another year: "It might a bit harder than last season but with the great team we've got now, I think we could do really well."

John is more moderate with his expectations: "Next season I reckon will be one of consolidation, seeing if the present crop of players really do have what it takes at this level."

Being able to take his two lads for an enjoyable and affordable day at the football is one of the main things for John, who knows we've been spoilt by success in the first three years. He added: "If we are there or there abouts in the playoffs at the end of the season it will be a remarkable feat for what is still such a new team." Viva la Revolution, come on FC!

42 3/4 HA HA HA FREE RED YOUR WELL FUNNY.I CANT STOP LAUGHING HA HA HA

A local team called FCUoM got a 3 all draw today in a game with over 2300 fans watching that went from0-0 to 0-1 to 1-1 to 2-1 to 2-2 to 2-3 to 3-3 and not a word from the local press IN MANCHESTER!!!! It would be great if Manchester had a paper that reported this kind of game instead of he size if Ronaldo's underwear or some other rubbish that has no bearing on MANCHESTER!!!! Local news your havin' a laugh!!!