Salford City gear up for the Rebels

Stuart Brennan

October 03, 2006

FC UNITED could be facing another first tonight - the first time their huge non-league support has ever been outnumbered by the opposition!

The runaway Rebels, who have won a record-equalling 12 on the bounce at the start of their NW Counties League first division season, take on local rivals Salford City in a match shifted to the Willows rugby league ground (7.45pm).

Salford officials are expecting a crowd of more than 4,000.

FC normally take between 1,200 and 2,000 to away games, but Salford have launched a mass publicity campaign throughout the city to boost the gate, which is expected to surpass the Salford City record of 3,000 when they played Whickham in the FA Vase in 1981.

"Our players are really up for it, and we have had a good month, winning eight and losing one, so we are hoping we can peg a few points back on FC United," said Salford secretary Bill Taylor. Rebels' boss Karl Marginson is savouring the challenge: "My assistant Phil Power is a Salford lad, and he says everyone in Salford appears to be going. I even spoke to one lad who said there could be 10,000.

"It could be the first time our fans are outnumbered, and football-wise it will be a big test for us, because they are a decent side. If we win we will have won 14 on the bounce in all competitions, another league record."

FC welcome back Rob Nugent to a defence which has kept eight clean sheets in their 12 games, but they will have to cope with former Manchester United winger Ben Thornley, midfielder Matty Burke - who had trials at Stockport County in the summer - and former FC goalkeeping hero Barry George.

The game has revived memories of the Lowther Shield final between Salford Sunday League arch-rivals Grove and Wellington in 1948 which attracted a staggering 18,000 people to the rugby ground and the winners went home in an open-topped bus.

What do you think? Have your say.

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Free Red, Manchester (03/10/2006 at 12:30)

Tonights match will k.o. at 7.30pm and not 7.45pm as shown in this article. This Match is pay on the gate Adults ¿¿7, Conc. ¿¿5 U16 ¿¿2. This eagerly anticipated high profile tie will feature on the BBC Radio Manchester. The sports programme will broadcast between 7.00pm and 10.00pm and will include live coverage so if you cant make it then you can tune in the action. On a different note. It is well known that our thoroughly modern 21st Century Club is run for the benefit of the fans. Being a community orientated family club, during the closed season we had a pre-season friendly v. The Celebrity Allstars to help raise funds for the Chris McCuirk Appeal fund. Chris is a young Salfodian lad who broke his neck last December when playing Rugby for De La Salle Salford. For tonight, raffle tickets will be on sale for a half time draw with all moneys razed going to the Chris McCuirk Appeal fund. The prizes include a Salford Branch Polo shirt signed by FC players and the signed match ball. If you cant make tonights match, there will another raffle at our home game against Squires Gate on 14th October and Chris will be at that Match to draw the raffle on the pitch. Viva la revolution, come on FC.

Torpey's Ghost, Main Stand Gigg Lane (03/10/2006 at 13:23)

I hope there's a bumper crowd there tonight. Salford City are a very good side and will be a real test for us tonight. Lets hope we can keep the 100% record going.

Raymond James, Crumpsall (03/10/2006 at 13:29)

Anyone know what happened to the Grove and Wellington clubs? A little like Dick Kerr Ladies. A distant memory. Could FC experience the same fate?

Little Jockey, Swinton (03/10/2006 at 13:35)

Ed. This is the most barmy article I have ever read. Salford City have virtually no support and yes loads of people from Salford will be there ................to support United as they have done for the past 100 years.

Delia Smith, Eccles Old Road (03/10/2006 at 13:39)

Even GPS man can't confuse the bus driver this time surely although it is a fair old way from Bury to the Willows. Come on Salford City lets be having you.

You know it makes sense, Gorton (03/10/2006 at 13:48)

So how about devoting more space to local league and non league sides rather than this politically motivated sham that calls itself FC of Manchesteer (even though they are a Bury team).

Terry Blackwell, Northern Moor (03/10/2006 at 14:43)

We are one of the few fans founded football clubs in England. We have bigger gates than our Landlords Bury. Tonight will be the biggest non league clash in Mancunian history. Carpet baggers should be worried cos we're not just any club, we're Manchester's finest, we're the future, we're FCUoM and we're here 4 eva

Torpey's Ghost, Main Stand Gigg Lane (03/10/2006 at 15:07)

Whilst clearly many of the people calling for coverage of Non league clubs other than FC are on a wind up, I would agree that the regions bigger non league sides like Stalybridge, Altrincham, Hyde and Droylsden etc do deserve some more coverage. I hope the MEN and Channel M can both spare some space for these equally deserving clubs that offer so much to football and the community.

claire, middleton (03/10/2006 at 15:09)

yes salford city are a good team but fc are better. people say we will be out numbered tonight by their fans but so what if we are, can they pull the crowd every week or just as a one off.tonight will be a top game cant wait good luck boys do your best make us proud you ALWAYS do xx

the voice of reason, MANCHESTER (03/10/2006 at 22:16)

Oh well we had to loose some time , but don't be to downhearted its our very 1st defeat away from home in the league ever. Not many teams can boast that record from a team in only it's second season.

We have to start another run now.

tony p, houston texas (03/10/2006 at 22:42)

To "You know it makes sense" from Gorton- Sorry, mate, but you don't make much sense. FC United are big news and the ride is just beginning. To quote Free Red, "Viva La Revolution, Come On F.C.!"

matt, worsley (03/10/2006 at 22:51)

salford, salford, salford, 2-1 get in there!!!!!!

Free Red, Manchester (03/10/2006 at 23:42)

Salford City 2-1 FC United. In a match that we could have won 0-1, that should have finished a draw, ended with Salford taking all three points. We may have won against Bacup last Saturday, but we make hard work of that as well. I said a couple of weeks ago that out biggest adversary would be complacency, and at the end of the night, I would have to say Salford deserved too win. Not because they were the better team, but because they wanted it more. I hope this result serves as a timely reminder to our players that no club has the right to win any tie least of all a local derby. I trust Margie will have a word and that our players and that they have been suitably brought down to earth. We play Padiham next Saturday in the FA Vase and there are no second chances in a knock out comp. Viva la revolution, come on FC.

Eric the Red, Doncaster (04/10/2006 at 07:57)

Congratulations to Salford City on a great come back last night. Their battling spirit never dimmed and they deserved all three points. The way the home crowd responded showed who they wanted to win.

Torpey's Ghost, Main Stand Gigg Lane (04/10/2006 at 09:10)

Congratulations Salford City, 3 well deserved points in my opinion. They were first to every ball, fought like tigers and despite us scoring first I thouhgt they were the better team on the night.

You know it makes sense, Gorton (04/10/2006 at 09:40)

So Tony P its not about the level or standard of football that is being played and more about the size of crowds. That makes no sense at all to me from a football (soccer to you) perspective. Perhaps the MEN could come up with a crowd watchers section. Never mind the qulaity just look at the size. Its time local football fans fought back against the FC hype merchansts and their disenfranchised franchise. Get off the "brand"wagon.

Slim, Salford (04/10/2006 at 10:41)

Great game last night. A fantastic advert for NWCFL football played by 2 equally matched teams but it was ruined by the number of idiots that turned up focused on causing trouble. I had split allegiances last night being an ex-Salford City player but also having a lot of respect for what FCUM stand for. Whilst the behaviour of the FC fans was exemplary, vast numbers of the Salford fans were made up of local scallies who were there to cause aggro. The "FCUM - Judas Scum" banner was inflammatory and obviously made by an uneducated "MUFC fan" (who has probably never set foot inside Old Trafford) who has no idea what FCUM is about. The subsequent assault on the FCUM fan that ripped the banner down also went unpunished by the inadequate policing. Where will these fair weather Saflord City fans be on Saturday when Salford are at home to Blackpool Mechs? That's right, sat on their backsides watching In-ger-lund while the Salford City gates drop back to their normal 80+ average. Why Salford gets such negative press in the media I just can't fathom.....

Torpey's Ghost, Main Stand Gigg Lane (04/10/2006 at 10:52)

You know it makes sense - Gorton. A season and a quaretr on, still averaging crowds well above local league sides like Macclesfield, Rochdale, Bury and Stockport. Can you explain how that's hype? Facts are facts and more people in Greater Manchester go to watch FC United so the MEN quite rightly provides coverage. If you don't like it, don't read it.

Ricky G, Urmston red (04/10/2006 at 15:09)

It is true that there was some MUFC/FC trouble at last nights game? Been told that was the case this morning.

You know it makes sense, Gorton (05/10/2006 at 07:19)

Torpey I know for a non league club FC get good crowds but this is about football not crowds. The standard of the football your club plays does not warrant the coverage. Fact. Thats hype. Unlike apparently FC fans I think its good that various club fans can express their views. I think the standard of football played should be the criterion and therefore many other clubs deserve the right before FC or put another way if FC have a site so should they. Do you really want news on football covered with based on the number of fans or on football criteria?

Johniejohn, tunbridge wells (05/10/2006 at 15:58)

Actually, anonymous of gorton, coverage is about newsworthiness and what attracts readers. It is not about the quality of the football. For instance in the 1970s when United were relegated, they still got the most coverage in the MEN. When City were in the same division as Macclesfield not too long ago, they still got more coverage than Macclesfield. Do you get it?

corky, salford (05/10/2006 at 16:18)

Trying to make sense in Gorton:
It's pretty simple really.
The MEN is a business, and needs to sell its product. Do you try and sell to a market of a few hundred (ie Altrincham, Stalybridge et al) or to one which last season attracted 6,000? Simple economic sense as far as the newspaper is concerned.
Likewise, when City were in Div Two, they still got equal coverage with United, because the interest in the two clubs in Manchester is deemed to be similar.
By your illogic, for that one season, City should have been given less coverage than Bury and Stockport, who were in the division above and there fore at a higher standard of football.
It is simply providing a service for most people

You know it makes sense, Gorton (06/10/2006 at 09:34)

So its purely about volume is it? Why not more coverage of Big Brother and other audience catching trivia. Maybe a bit of porn that should pull the punters in surely? The fact is journalism like it or not is not only about generating "sales" it adheres to greater principles. Were Wimbledon less news worthy because they only attracted small crowds in the Premiership. If thas the case then the MEN shouldn't have a football section it should focus on graeter opportunities to see. As usual you FC clowns no nothing. News is news. Without that ethos we would all be watching the latest reality eye candy show. No wonder you are so fond of pub football.

Andrew Kilduff, Cheshire (06/10/2006 at 11:25)

corky, salford. He will just go on and on and on and on and on. He always has to have the last word so let him have it eh? You know it makes sense.

You know it makes sense, Gorton (06/10/2006 at 12:46)

Porky feel free to have the last word. I have already proved you wrong with my superior intellect and rhetoric. I know you feel happiest in gangs. Force of numbers and so on. Its what you are used to so its unfair for anyone to expect you to rethink your lifestyle overnight. When you grow up you will see things in a more mature light. Its the journey of life. Over to you for your last word.

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