It will be good to see them back!

ONE FOR THE KIDS: The club is currently looking into organising a Christmas Holiday Playscheme for children in school years 3,4,5 and 6, i.e. in the juniors at primary school. The play schemes would be run by our community coaches team, including Karl Marginson and we hope to have at least one player involved as well. The playscheme would, naturally involve football, but we would also have other sports and fun activities as well. We are looking at organising the play schemes in Newton Heath and in Woodhouse Park. The playschemes would operate on Monday 22nd, Tuesday 23rd and for the morning of Wednesday 24th. They would run from 9am to 3pm. We think we can get some funding to provide a limited number of places on the playscheme free of charge to children attending local primary schools in those areas. For children of members and supporters living outside these areas, we would charge

ONE FOR THE KIDS: (Continued) £20 per day. So that we can decide whether or not the playschemes would be financially viable, we are asking parents and carers to contact the club if they would be interested in taking up a place. Think about the benefits! Run around getting ready for Christmas knowing that your children are safe and having a good time and not getting under your feet. If you think you might be interested, please send an e-mail to robinpye@fc-utd.co.uk and let him know how many children, how many days, which of the two suggested venues you could bring your children to and any other helpful feedback. or you can leave a message on 0161 962 4298.
DIRECTIONS to the North Ferriby on the FC United v Ashton United postponed thread.

One for the kids - yet another example of this community - based club of ours in action. I can just see big United - or indeed ANY Premiership club - getting involved in something like this. And don't forget next week's home game v. Marine is FREE for under-18's. Don't you just love this club ?

Judai

F C JOHN, LADYBOY

If you checked your facts, you will find that City do lots of this stuff!

Saturday's match against North Ferriby was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Meanwhile the U18's North West Youth Alliance match against Curzon Ashton finished honours even at two goals a piece. FC's goals were scored by Gage Eme and Jamie Mack. The result takes FC's under 18s to second place in the North West Youth Alliance Premiership B table, two points behind Curzon Ashton and just above Salford City on goal difference. The game was originally scheduled as a home game for FC, to be played at St Brides in Old Trafford, but with recent games falling foul of the weather the match was switched to Curzon's artificial surface at The Tameside Stadium. FC's goals were scored by Gage Eme and Jamie Mack.

Next Saturday 20th December FC United are at home v Marine, kick off 3.00pm. Karl Marginson said. 'We are disappointed that today's game has been cancelled but must now focus on getting the lads ready for the visit of Marine next Saturday,' he went on to say 'Marine are a quality side and have been up near the top of the table all season so they will pose a stern test. We have shown that we are a match for anyone in the division when we are on our game especially with the passion of our home crowd backing us.' The match on 20th will be anther Kids go FREE day. This is what you can do when your club is not for profit fans owned. Viva la revolution, come on FC.

Free Red, what are your thoughts on the Glazers bringing their gridiron club to have a go at Wembley next year?? I only wish they were playing the match closer, like at OT.

dont quite understand the point of your question walnut. Do you go and watch the super league grand final at OT then?

Johnniejohn, Tunbridge Wells. You can be sure Dash Walny (the childish anagram of Andy Walsh) aka Tommy Tampa has never watched Rugby league at OT. I have no interest in any other field sport other than Association Football. Even if I did I won't be going to OT until the carpetbaggers have gone so I won't be watching any of glazers side shows. This includes ice skating round car parks at Xmas 2005 (lol)

Free Red, it was more of a rhetorical question, am fully aware walnut is a wind up merchant. I always prefer to play rather than watch, but I do like rugby league - my team Salford has been very yo-yo over the last few years and as things stand very unlikely to make the grand final at OT. Which would put me in a small quandry, but my anti glazer feelings would win out. American football leaves me cold. The ultimate in US commercialism, games last hours because of constant advertising breaks. Fergie complains enough about RL cutting up the OT pitch in October so he would be dead against any gridiron there.

Kiwi Blue, Malcolm G, Walnut, Dukinfield Bitter and Peter Doherty are the five regular wums on our threads. Literally hundreds of posts between them as well. I pity the fools.

Wonderful of you to out me Free Red. Despite your delusions, I can assure everyone I reside right here in Manchester and have for 17 years. I have also have:

1) Never been to Florida
2) Never committed crimes
3) Never Been to Free Red's house
4) Never liked any Stuart Brennan columns
5) Never been employed by someone name Glazer
6) Never Rooted for any English league or non-league club but Manchester United
7) Always spoken for for myself. Thank you Free Red for your concern.

Walnut a bitter claming to be a United fan, now that just ill. And what's this gridiron thing it sounds like something out of an old coal fire. And where's the Marine story MEN this ones over a week old!

Nicky Robinson delivered the perfect present as FC United celebrated Christmas in style with a last gasp 3-2 victory over Marine on Saturday.

Tommy Turner bagged his first goal for the club after 20 minutes to get the Reds on their way and Chris Baguley struck again to regain the lead after Peter Cumiskey leveled with a penalty.

And the Merseysiders equalized for a second time through the big number 10 seven minutes after the restart but as the game looked like it might peter out for a draw, substitute Robinson scored a cracker to gift the Reds all three points.

Another unexpected but deserved victory. I love this thing of ours.

They say it wouldn't last 'til Christmas but we're celebrating our 4th festive period with three promotions already secured.

Please keep the entertaining wind-ups going. It's nice to know we're so important.

Now here's a Christmas Cracker from Margy.

FC United have signed Neil Chappell from Radcliffe Borough. Neil, 23 a left sided player, signed for Radcliffe in 2007 having scored 94 goals in 218 appearances for Maine Road. "Neil has a very impressive goalscoring record from midfield, and hopefully will be a very good addition to the squad" said Margy. Chappell will be available for selection this Saturday for the Ashton United game. Up the Reds!

Great win for FC on Saturday against a good Marine side.

However, can I commit heresy by saying that some of the anti-Liverpool chants were a bit stupid. As the Marine guy said in the programme on saturday, they don't even think of themselves as "Liverpool". At this level of football, we should be seeking to make friends not alienate people unnecessarily.

FC United of Manchester 3-2 Marine

PETER Cumiskey was denied a dream return to first team action as a late FC United goal subjected Marine to their first defeat in six matches.

The experienced Marine striker started for the first time in six games and looked set to be the hero, delivering two equalising goals.

However with two minutes remaining and the game heading for a draw, FC United substitute Nick Robinson popped up to hit the winner to devastate the Crosby outfit.

Having seen Cumiskey sweep Marine level for the second time after 52 minutes, Alvin McDonald’s men took control of a match that at times threatened to boil over.

Yet a defensive lapse, not fitting of recent performances, allowed FC United to snatch an unlikely victory.

That Robinson’s goal came as such a blow tells a lot about the transformation that Marine undertook in the second half having clung on in the opening 45.

Marine had started brightly with John Lawless, a figure of hate for home supporters throughout the match, forcing Sam Ashton into an early save.

However FC United were quickly up to speed and buoyed on by a vocal backing, attacked Marine with menace.

The opening goal arrived after 19 minutes when Tommy Turner fed on the spoils in the Mariners’ area after Sean Lake had parried Phil Brazier’s miscued clearance.

Despite the intimidating atmosphere, Marine rallied and on 34 minutes Cumiskey spun his defender in the area before being felled.

The No 10 got up to send Ashton the wrong way from the penalty spot to make it 1-1 but his efforts were undone a minute later when Chris Baguley latched onto a cross from the right to slot in FC’s second.

But the second half was only seven minutes old when Tim Bigland crossed for Cumiskey’s eighth goal of the season and from then on, it was Marine who dictated play.

Spurred on by Joe Fowler and substitute Darren Brookfield in the middle, the Mariners almost grabbed the lead as Bigland swung in another teasing cross which deflected off an FC defender forcing Ashton into a fine save.

However United summoned one last surge and a deep cross from the left was missed by everyone in the Marine defence and fell kindly for Robinson to inflict the damage.

Marine’s misery was compounded after full-back Freddie Potter was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured ankle.

Ashton United 2 FCUoM 1 fair result I think we did not play to our best still got 1766 fans going to an away game 1700 more than Ashton normaly get (according to their lot) and more than any other non-league team in the North of England. Some Premiership teams don't get that many away. I hope we get more luck against Ossett at home on 1st January to start the new year with a lift. Up the Reds!

ASHTON UNITED 2-1 FC UNITED. Tommy Turner's second goal in as many games proved to be just a consolation as despite having the majority of the possession, United failed to convert their hard work into goals. Ben Deegan headed the home side into the lead on 27 minutes after some sloppy defending from the Reds allowed an unchallenged cross from the left. Ashton closed United down well in the final third but the visitors were guilty of wasting chances. Chris Baguley came closest in the first half when his header glanced just wide. FC United looked like they would get back in to the match in the second half but when Jerome Wright's drive hit the post and Kyle Wilson headed the rebound straight into the keepers arms, it started to look like it might not be their day. Callum Flanagan poked home Ashton's second on 64 minutes against the run of play after some more sloppy defending and from there on it was always going to be a struggle. The Reds rallied, as they always seem to do, but by the time they finally got the ball in the net it was too little, too late. All in all a bad day for the team but a great time had by all in their social club that was packed all night.

Next up, FC UNITED v OSSETT TOWN at home to Gigg lane, Thursday 1st January 2008 ko 3.00pm before our away on 3rd January at Worksop Town. Viva la Revolution, come on FC.

Injury update. Sam Ashton was carried off at the end of Saturday’s match at Ashton. The knee is sore, but it is hoped that Sam will be fit for the New Year’s Day match with Ossett Town.

Danny Warrender had to be substituted during the Ashton match. This was due to a recurrence of his shoulder injury sustained in a recent road accident on the way to training.

Our last two opponents have each had a player carried off on a stretcher with serious looking injuries. We have been pleased to learn that the players concerned are progressing well. Marine’s right full back, Freddie Potter, sustained soft tissue damage and didn’t break his ankle, as was first feared.

Ashton’s right full back, Alex Frost, suffered a blow to the head and left the field unconscious. He recovered consciousness soon after the match ended. It was thought that he was suffering from concussion, but he has ended up with just a large bump on his head and a major headache!

WORKSOP 0-3 FC UNITED. A second half brace from Tommy Turner followed Simon Carden’s opener to ease FC United to a 3-0 victory over Worksop Town at Watnall Road for the second time in just over two months.

The Reds arrived at the Nottinghamshire side’s temporary home in Hucknall in confident mood after completing a comfortable three goal win in the FA Trophy back on 1st November and the score line was just the same this time around.

The first half was quite evenly matched but Carden set United on their way six minutes before the break with a well-taken goal after being set up by Kyle Wilson. Wilson hit the woodwork not long after the restart and on 68 minutes he turned provider again for Turner to double United’s lead.

With Worksop still reeling, Turner beat the off-side trap to add his second and the Reds’ third eight minutes later, rounding off an impressive away win for Karl Marginson’s side.

The day started off with a pitch inspection on a bitterly cold morning and despite a number of games being called off around the country, FC United’s match didn’t fall victim to the weather.

Despite the conditions, the Reds were straight out of the blocks and Wilson nearly broke the deadlock less than five minutes into the match. The UniBond top scorer hit a screamer from just outside the box and Worksop’s deputy keeper Dan Whatsize did well to parry.

Down at the other end, Sam Ashton twice made a comfortable saves from Ben Tomlinson. First from a header after Chris Adam’s cross and then moments later the forward hit his shot straight at him after being played through by Mick Galloway.

The Tigers then had appeals for a penalty waved away on 15 minutes when striker Adam was floored by a strong challenge by captain David Chadwick.

After surviving the almost inevitable early scares unscathed, United clicked into gear and began to take the game to the hosts. Tommy Turner found Jerome Wright and the winger had Whatsize beaten but unfortunately his powerful low drive flashed just wide of the far post.

Next it was the turn of Tommy Turner to go close. Adam Carden whipped in a cross on the half hour mark and Whatsize had to be at his best to prevent the former Bacup striker’s header flying into the top corner.

The sustained pressure finally paid off and United broke the deadlock after 39 minutes. Tommy Turner was dispossessed on the edge of the box but Simon Garner raced infield to latch onto the clearance and lofted a beautifully weighted ball out to the left for Wilson. With the defence pulled out of position, the striker unselfishly squared the ball to an unmarked Simon Carden who tapped the ball over the line.

Worksop did have one good chance to get back into the game shortly after half-time. Matt Glass had a fierce shot blocked and Kevin Sanasy really should have done better with the rebound but the former Bradford City forward smashed his shot over the crossbar.

United then stepped it up another level. Wilson was unfortunate to see his curling strike come crashing back off the upright and Simon Carden would have got his second of the match had it not been for a Andrew Boyce making a fantastic goal line clearance.

But Worksop couldn’t hold out much longer. Wilson pushed the ball to Turner, who had his back to goal on the edge of the box. Turner shaped right but then moved left, creating space for himself to slot the ball across Whatsize and into the far corner.

Eight minutes later it was 3-0. Turner sprung the off-side trap on the right and again shot across the Worksop keeper but this time into the bottom left corner.

All that was left was for Whatsize and Wilson to play out an intriguing battle. Wilson had looked as sharp as ever but try as he might he couldn’t get on the score sheet. Whatsize made a brilliant one-handed save from close range in the dying minutes to keep Wilson out – not something that many goalkeepers have achieved so far this season.

After finally getting back to winning ways with a 0-3 away win at Worksop we now have a game against a team who were playing against Bury in championship league division two when our club was formed in 2005. The team is Boston United FC who we play next, Saturday 10th January 2009, Kick off 3:00pm at The Staffsmart Stadium, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 6JN. Admission is POTG Stands: Adults £12, Concession £8, Under 16s £4. Terrace: Adults £10, Concessions £7 Under 16s £3. FC United supporters enter the ground by the designated turnstiles 7, 8, 9 and 10 in Spayne Road to get into the Town End terrace.

Directions: By Car: A1 to A17 Sleaford to Boston, over rail crossing, bear right at Eagle pub to lights over Haven Bridge, straight-on along John Adams Way (dual carriageway), turn right at traffic lights into Main Ridge, then right again into York Street. Away supporters travelling by car are advised to use the NCP car park off John Adams Way (after crossing the river take the first exit left off John Adams Way into the car park).

Coach: FC United are now taking bookings for the official supporters coach travelling to Boston on Saturday 10th January 2009. The coach will depart from Chorlton Street at 9:30am and return straight after the game. Prices are: £15 adults £7.50 concessions. Supporters who have contacted the FC United office have been booked onto the coach and therefore DO NOT need to book another place. Please note any monies made from official coach travel go directly to club funds. To book please ring the FC United office on 0161 273 8950.

By Train: The nearest railway station is Boston (less than one mile from ground). After getting off the train, head down Station Street towards the Stump (the large church tower which dominates the skyline for miles around). At the end is a Police Station. Go through the car park and nip round the right side of the Police Station, then head over the footbridge over the river. On reaching the other side, turn right up an alleyway (Church Lane) towards the Market Place. Keep going straight on, past the Britannia Inn (a Batemans pub), across a pelican crossing and keep going. Veer right down South Street and cross the road. Look out for a small road to the left called Spain Lane. Head down Spain Lane past the Blackfriars Arts Centre until you come to John Adams Way dual carriageway and there is a staggered pelican crossing to get you across. The ground is in front of you down Spayne Road. Train details can be found at www.thetrainline.com

Refreshments: Boston United's Social Club and Sports Bar will be open prior to kick off. Alternatively the Coach and Horses in Main Ridge 100 yards from the ground serves Bateman's Ales. Eagles Fish and Chip shop will also be open close to the ground.

Good win at Boston today...1-0 with a late goal from Kyle Wilson.....