I just can't wait for the opening game of the season. I know these Rugby League types don't know much about playing football but they do have some big blokes in their side. Have the players been warming up with a few pints in training?

I was pleased to see Nelson promoted as their Chairman spoke very highly of us. They had a tremendous backlog of matches and did well to turn Padiham and Winsford over for third spot, so fair play to them. Im particularly looking forward to the derby matches but I guess most are. Fflint was another great day out with a tour look round the old medieval castle pre-match. Built in 1285, it was in better nick than the old Maine Road kiphole stand. Its incredible to think that we took more away fans to a resers game than some clubs at this level take all season. It isnt possible to watch all pre-season matches of course as some clash, but here is the list of the rest to choose from. First Team. 15 July. Radcliffe Borough (a) Saturday. Stainton Park. k.o. 3.00pm. Reserves. 15 July. Monton Amateurs (a) Saturday. First Team. 19 July Altrincham (a) Moss lane. Wednesday. Moss Lane. k.o. 7.45 pm. Reserves.19 July Clitheroe FC (a) Wednesday. First Team. 22 July. AFC Wimbledon (h) Supporters Direct Cup. Saturday. Gigg Lane. k.o 3.00pm. Reserves. 23 July Mossley (a) Steel Park, Mossley. Sunday k.o. 3.00pm. First Team. 26 July. Bury (a) Wednesday. Gigg Lane. k.o. 7.45 pm. First Team 29 July Sheffield FC (a). Saturday. The Don Valley Stadium. k.o. 3.00pm. Reserves 29 July Kirkham and Wesham (a) Saturday. First Team. 1 August. Halifax Town (a). Tuesday. The Shay Stadium. k.o. 7.45pm. Reserves. 2 August. Warrington Town (a) Wednesday. First Team. 5 August Leigh RMI (a) Saturday. ko 3.00 pm. First Team. 9 August Abbey Hey (a). Wednesday. Abbey Stadium. k.o. 7.45pm. Viva la revolution, come on FC.

Lets 'Rock an Roll'.

Which local will be sponsoring the club this season? I wonder if they would be winning to provide t-shirts for the fans with the pub logo on them? That way we can represent the pub in a proper fashion. Has Andy Walsh been taking bids from the pubs for sponsorship? Maybe the Man of the Match will get a free pitcher. That would be in good order.

900 fans for a non league pre season reserves friendly! That is more than Manure get for a premiership reserves league game. Makes our turn out look a bit thin as well.

Dash FC have added the following sponsors, Orwelco a Barrow Engineering Company, Aztec Flooring from Oldham, John Manning (who he?), George Wimpey builders Kendal printers and Electricty 4 Homes. Apparentl this sponsorship strategy works because there is more room on an FC players shirt. By the way Horace FC are not playing the St Helens Rugby League team.

John Manning is a long standing MUFC (now FC) supporter.

I would think he is sponsoring as a private individual.
I will be making a regular payment to the FC (facilities) development fund, like many others.
PS - all this dash walny, tommy tampa rubbish is extremely childish and boring. FC United is a revelation.if you dont understand FC you're not meant to.
Please move on.

MONTON AMATEURS FC v. FC UNITED XI. Being played tomorrow. 15 July 2006. This reserves team friendly will be played at Granary Lane, Worsley M28 2PH. k.o 2.30pm. Admission to this fixture is FREE. There is on site Car parking and a licensed bar. Hot and cold refreshments are also available. DIRECTIONS to the ground. BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT. From Manchester, Salford or Eccles take First Bus service 33 or 68 to Barton Road, alighting just before Bridgewater Public House. Turn right into Granary Lane, and ground at bottom of road on right. Also from Manchester, take First Bus services 26 and 35 and alight at Worsley Court House. Turn left into Barton Road, and then then right into Granary Lane just past Bridgewater Public House. Alternatively, take Metrolink to Eccles and take First Bus service 33, 68 or 554 to Barton Road, alighting just before Bridgewater Public House. Turn right into Granary Lane, and ground at bottom of road on right. BY CAR. Exit M60 at junction 13 and follow signposts for Eccles onto Barton Road (B5211). Take second right into Granary Lane and ground at end of road. Viva la revolution, come of FC resers.

RADCLIFFE v. FC UNITED. Also being played tomorrow15 July 2006. This first team friendly will be played at the Inn2Gether Stadium, Pilkington Road, Radcliffe, Manchester M26 3PE. k.o. 3.00pm. Entrance adults ??7.00, OAP,s ??4.00 and under 16 ??1.00. For further match day information Tel: 0161 724 8346. Some will know Stainton park from our match against Castleton Gabriels but for those who dont. DIRECTIONS. To the ground BY TRAM. From Manchester Piccadilly or Victoria, join the Metrolink towards Bury. Radcliffe is the next to last stop. From here you are 10 - 15 minutes walk away. Alternatively, call taxi (Domino Cabs 723 4945). Proceed through the car park and go left slightly uphill to traffic lights. About a quarter mile. Turn right and proceed to next lights. About another quarter mile. Go right again uphill, Ainsworth Rd, until you get to the Victoria pub about another quarter of a mile. Go left here past Red Bank playing fields). Stainton Park is at the far end just to your right about 400m. BY CAR. From the M60 ring road exit Jct 17 at Whitefield. Head towards Whitefield but keep left, then take the bare left at McDonalds & Aldi just after first set of lights about a quarter of a mile. Carry on through two sets of lights until you come to a mini round-about, with a chinese opposite about one mile. Turn left heading down hill. Continue through town centre turning right at the sixth set of lights approx 3 miles. Carry on up hill turning left at Queen Victoria pub. continue until you reach a second mini-round-about 400m. Stainton Park is just on your right. Viva la revolution, come on FC

Here's to Radcliffe Borough putting the Plastic Reds in their place. Pity FC til I die had to borrow a City invented chant for his childish name. You FC'ers really don't get it do you. Once a turncoat always a turncoat. Hows the yellow strip coming along? As they say when the going gets tough the tough get going or in FC's case on their bikes double quick. The only bikes with ten reverse gears and one forwards.

Free Red (accept no palpitations), First City did not invent that chant as it's been sung by many for a couple of decade's, it's just that City have finally discovered it. Secondly you use the word 'borrow' but it's you who has borrowed the name Free Red ! Maybe the original and best Free Red should add (accept no imitations).

to the fake free red . could you please explaine why city stole crewe,s old time song of blue moon ?? or does this not count?

Col, Gorton, Manc. You believe what you want matey but just because you believe it doesn't make it so. Oh and Feed the Goat and he will score has been around for at least a century. I am the

Col, Gorton, Manc and dave, harpurhey manchester Take no notice of free red replica he/she is total waste of post space. RADCLIFFE 3-2 FC UNITED, MONTON AMATEURS 2-3 FC UNITED XI.

As forcast Radcliffe put those pub players firmly back in their place on Saturday. I am really looking forward to the season. They think its all over. It is now!

Fake Free Red,Feed the Goat probably has been around longer than a century, ask any farmer. But thats no excuse for starving all the donkeys you've had over the years! Ha ha.

Col will Bury be holding a beer festival at Gigg Lane again or will they just make it a rolling event every time FC play at "home" (ie Bury). As for donkeys it looks as if FC have been busy signing most of them. Whatever next sandcastles at Gigg Lane or a guess your weight machine in the dugout?