SIX THOUSAND supporters turned up as FC United threw a wild title party at Gigg Lane.
The rebel Reds, bolstered by an estimated couple of thousand Old Trafford regulars, came up with a madcap end to a remarkable first season in which they have proved to be "champions" in more sense than one.
The team suffered its third league defeat of the season, going down to an injury-time goal in a flat, bad-tempered match with Great Harwood, but the result was an irrelevance with the Moore and Co Construction Solicitors League second division trophy already in the bag.
The size of the crowd, which was 6,023, was a far more significant statistic - a clear message to Manchester United and the rest of top-flight football that people will not continue to tolerate being priced out and taken for granted.
At Gigg Lane, the support sang for 90 minutes, and after the trophy presentation and lap of honour, they clogged up the A56 as the team staged a tongue-in-cheek open-top bus ride from the stadium just 200 yards to the Swan and Cemetery pub.
Skipper Dave Chadwick, a no- nonsense centre half and self-confessed City fan, lifted the trophy and then expressed his incredulity at the club's growth from an idea discussed over a Rusholme curry to a club which at the weekend attracted a bigger crowd than half of the games in League One.
"Just one word sums up the season - fantastic," said Chadwick, a double glazing fitter from Wigan whose job has become the subject of a dozen FC chants - "You buy one, you get one free, I said you buy one, he plays for FC" being one.
Dream
"I don't think anyone expected the club to build a fanbase like this. Six thousand people! Playing in front of a crowd like that is something you dream about.
"But here we have a hard-core which has stuck with us right through.
"For a new team to go top of the league straight away and then open up and maintain a 20-point lead, is a credit to the lads, but everything we have done we have done for those fans.
"This time last year if someone had told me that in 12 months I would have a few thousand Manchester United fans cheering me as I picked up a trophy, I would have thought they were on drugs."
Formed just ten months ago, FC United has, in some ways, been the biggest story of the football season, a means by which football supporters can express their disgust at the over-commercialisation of the game. But the bottom line is that supporters have flocked to FC because they can have a traditional day out at the match without emptying their wallets.
General manager Andy Walsh said: "I would have been more than happy with 4,000, but the sight of all those supporters singing their hearts out makes everything worthwhile.
"The lasting memory of the day, and of the season, for me, is the kids who have come to watch live football week after week. Hopefully those kids who watch us will go out and play football as well. We will be setting up our own reserve and under-18 teams next year."
And the club's attitude off the field has also earned them a more meaningful "champions" tag. The main sponsor of the club is the Bhopal Medical Appeal, a charity that is trying to help the thousands of victims of the poisonous gas leak in that Indian city in 1985. FC have recently set up FC United of Bhopal, a sports club aimed at bringing some joy into the lives of children affected by the shocking disaster which claimed 20,000 lives and has left 120,000 still suffering from the effects.
Tribute
And the arrival at Gigg Lane of kit man George Hayden, who - with a couple of colleagues - had cycled to each of the 20 clubs in the division over the previous four days, was another symbol of what FC is all about. He was raising funds for eight-year-old FC fan Alex Croft, from Chorlton, a cerebral palsy sufferer who needs é15,000 for an electric wheelchair.
The team had emerged to collect the trophy wearing T-shirts with "Russell Delaney" on them, a tribute to the board member who worked tirelessly to help FC United get off the ground last summer, despite needing oxygen to combat the effects of the pulmonary sarcoidosis which claimed his life in November, at 47.
The game itself was a non-event, livened only by a red card on the hour for FC assistant manager Phil Power, whose casual flick of the hand at Great Harwood defender Kieran Fletcher brought on a display of histrionics.
Now the club is looking forward to next week's final league game against Padiham at Boundary Park, followed by a benefit match at Telford on May 6 in aid of badly-injured United fan Jamie Turner and the club's first overseas jaunt, to play Lokomotive Leipzig on May 12.
The ethos of FC United was summed up by the trophy presentation as nine-year-old Chantal Adams, from Dunham Massey, accompanied Chadwick to receive the trophy from league chairman Dave Tomlinson.
Chantal won a M.E.N. Sport competition to claim her place in the club's history, and was a fitting winner - she has followed the Rebels from their inception.
You can see more pictures from the big day in our picture gallery.
Can FC United win back to back promotions? Have your say.
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How wonderful to see FC United shove the bitter words of the naysayers back down their throats. A truly phenomenal club that will lead the way for many more to come. But weren't the massed hordes too late to see the game? I thought FC United had disintegrated at Christmas Time. MARGENTINA!
Great result in their first season. Must stick in the throats of those that said it wouldn't last - 6023! As the article says proof that many fans are fed up of being taken for granted. Thanks for the great coverage from the MEN long may it continue.
I think we are good enough to get back to back promotions. But for me, next season is more about finishing above Maine Road FC. I wouldnt mind a good cup run in the FA vase as well. WE have won the League, but I am looking forward to the game against Padiham next Saturday. They are a good outfit for this level and I think there is a strong possibility they will be going up with us. If the new step 4 division is in place and teams out of Div.1. move into that new league then there will be room for four teams out of our current division to move up. The Jamie Turner fund raiser is one no fair-minded fan of any club should miss. Jamie, a life ling United fan, was attacked by thugs with an iron bar following United away to Southampton last season. This was before FC United was formed. United of course have done sod all for Jamie, which should come as no surprise as there is no profit in charity. All the money raised will go to Jamie and his family. I will then mark the first anniversary of the Glazer takeover with a Euro away to watch 1 FC Loko in Lepzing. It just goes to show you dont need to watch top flight football to enjoy Euro away days. You cant kill off ideas, and free thinkers can imaginate there way around any obstacle. Viva la revolution, come on FC.
Now then - who's got directions to Leipzig?
A very proud day. I don't think anyone in their wildest imaginations could have anticipated such a large attendance. It is great to see so many Kids from the local area enjoying Football as it should be, unsanitised, loud and raucous. Well done to everyone involved, the Fans for being friendly and funny, the Players for showing us commitment and passion don't have to cost ??80k per week and The Board for their inovation, vision and belief. Looking forward to another great season.
steve, Stretford. Fly from Manchester to Lepzig. Take the A14 east for 10 km. Turn right onto the B2 for 6km and you will arrive in Lepzig City centre. Thats about as much as I know so far. The last time I went to Saxony was for the CL semi v. Bayer Leverkusen and Ive never been to Lepzig before, so Im doing this one off the hoof.
Free Red.So Maine Road are your new rivals? That has made me laugh. Thanks
I think they need to strengthen a little for next season, especially in defence but they have a very good chance of going up again and hopefully will do it.
This has been the most exciting season since 99 and its all down to FC. What a refreshing change. Great to see so many local people enjoy football at an affordable price in a great atmosphere. Shame about the result and performance on Saturday which was not typical of the standard seen for most of the season, but I think Saturday was more about being a party day than the match its self.
There is official talk that the reorganisation of Step 4 may be postponed for a year. Thus, finishing third or fourth in the NW Counties Division 1 next year might mean FC United being promoted into the Unibond.
However, in order to achive a top four finish, we do need to upgrade the squad. Sadly, in doing so, I anticipate several current faces will not to be at the club next season.
Do not forget we still have one remaining league game to play at 3:00 PM on Saturday against Padiham at Boundary Park (Oldham FC's ground).
Isn't it strange the passion that flows from a commitment from an idea? I have always supported MUFC, but in recent years began to realise I was nolonger enjoying the packaged feel, the tv hype the cost, god the cost and the sense that actually we don't care if you don't come more will take your place - "go and watch Chelsea" as someone said! And then someone had the courage to say enough, we don't need to feed the cash cow, what we need is OUR club, where the fans decide who runs it, where the manager is anounced to the fans not the stock market, where players play for the unfettered joy of the crowd and not because they have got the wage rise they held out for - the man with no shame - see the Fcuom song sheets for libel actions!
Because of all this, on Saturday I cried, sheer unadulterated tears of pure joy, the tears that Ole and Teddy made me cry, yep those tears. My club, mine - not mine in the Roman Abram' sense, but mine in the emotional family sense. I am hooked, I was from the start who cares if I didn't know who was who they were playing for me, for the shirt and for the ethos and that Mr Glazer you cannot buy, he bought Old Trafford but he simply will never buy me.
I have been a Manchester United supporter all my life but if any United fan dismisses this club, then they are in for a shock. I have been to 12 FC games this season and 5 United games and the enjoyment and atmosphere at the FC games has just been incredible? How can you get a better atmosphere with between 3 - 6000 fans than 70000. I will always go to the Man Utd games when I can but I will be going to a lot more FC games and then watching United in the pub, going to save a fortune and watch a club who have their supporters interests at heart. Who can forget the aways at places such as Blackpool, Barrow, Radcliffe Borough, Accrington to name but a few. I just hope they will still get the crowds next season even if they struggle and are mid table or near the bottom. I hope we get the chance to play Blackpool again next season in the cup as it was fantastic this year. Also, in time, I hope we manage to have our own stadium within the borders of Manchester itself even though I have enjoyed the games at Gigg Lane.
2 United's but the soul is one.
Manchester La La La.
It will never last! ;)
I think we most definatally can achieve yet another promotion next year and even win the league again. Its not going to be as easy as this year but with a few tweaks to the back 4 I dont see why we cant take home more silverware next year. I know the club goal is two promotions in three years, Im game for say three promotions in three years. Good luck to lads for the remainder of the season!
YES!
Absolutely brilliant end to a superb first season.
Champions record crowd again,
and I am not ashamed to say a few tears were shed just like the man from AFC Wimbledon forecast.
Roll on next season.
are you watching David Gill
This piece of propoganda beats anything I have ever read from any spin doctor. The chants appear pathetic at best and sad at worst. This whole charade becomes more a more comic each day. They criticise the so called happy clappys yet I have never seen a more accurate parody.Perhaps FC will morph into a comdey sitcom.
Given the crowd over the weekend I think its only right that the whole FC squad be given the freedom Bury and Andy Walsh aka Mad Mullah be installed as heir to the throne. This has been an amazing season. A little club started with barely a hundred thousand pounds or so with the backing of a tiny focus group formed over a chip butty in Stretford has now grown into the countrys biggest growing club. Only Chelsea can claim to have acquired more fans. Soon every high street in the UK will be full of footie fans wearing FC replica shirts. Viva la franchise.
Different strokes for different folks . Viva fcum .
Red all over, Manchester. Laughter, or any other noise is a rare thing at OT. So Im pleased to have spread a little happiness. Wonder what happened to Malcolm Tampa? I really must introduce him to my new mate Stuart Webb.
Andy P don't worry about Blackpool in the cup. Next season we play Squires Gate in the league and they are another Blackpool based side so it'll be donkeys, kiss me quick hats and hangovers on the big one all over again.
Its true we havn't heard from Malcolm in a few days! Could it really be that he was the real Malcolm! ??....
6,000 fans for this game = Glory hunters. The club becomes more and more like Chelsea FC everyday. Players paid higher wages than in leagues above, inflated admission prices, highly paid Kenyon like club officials.
These ex-United supporters, become more distanced from MUFC and its loyal supporters, as each day passes.
Daz, Manchester . FC United hire Gigg lane for five grand a game and still season ticket prices have gone down. Players get 40 pounds a game. Casual workers in London earn more than any full time member of staff. A team has been put together that is capable of competing at this level. When k.o. times are different all the fans fill up the local pubs to watch United the games on TV, like Malcolm Tampa and Stuart Webb watch games on TV all the time. Some of the fans who go to FC games simply couldnt afford to watch live football throughout the season at OT anymore, so where on earth do you get your ideas from? The distance only exists in your head. You really need to do your homework.
If you are a football fan who cares where it is played. I have to agree with Andy P. I too am a life long United fan, and still I still am. However being unable to get tickets means going to watch football wherer I can - yes that does include going to watch City as well as FC United. Whats the problem with that?
Sorry Colin but I wouldn't go to watch City at any time unless they were playing United or in the future FC.