Home | Sport | Football

Football

Karl cracks it

KARL Marginson and FC United have struck another blow for grass roots football - with the rebel club's manager being named as Manchester's Sports Personality of the Month.

The 35-year-old led the fledgling club, only founded last summer in protest at Malcolm Glazer's takeover of Manchester United, to promotion and then the North West Counties League second division title.

Charged with achieving two promotions in the club's first three seasons, but also briefed to put out a team which will entertain supporters who have grown up on Old Trafford's attacking, entertaining tradition, Marginson has come good on both.

The 35-year-old, who gets up at 4am most mornings to work as a fruit and veg delivery driver, was named as winner of the monthly award by a joint panel from the sports desks at the Manchester Evening News and BBC Radio Manchester.

Leading the praise for Marginson was his gaffer, FC general manager Andy Walsh, who said: "Karl has been outstanding, not just in terms of putting a team out on the pitch but in over-seeing the future playing direction of the club as well.

Important

"Many people thought we should have gone for a more experienced manager but our concern was to get someone who understood what the club was all about - and it was important to us that he is a Red."

In his first managerial job, Marginson ended up in charge of a team playing in front of a non-league record crowd of over 6,000, but took it in his stride.

"No-one foresaw just how big the club was going to get," says Walsh. "But he has gone from his first press conference, where he got changed from his work clothes in his van parked outside the Midland Hotel, to being interviewed by Russian television and French and Belgian journalists at one match.

"Some supporters want success, others want entertaining football, and Karl has relished those two pressures. Lesser men might have buckled."

Marginson beat off challenges from some more illustrious names to land the award, including Lancashire newcomer Tom Smith, who has made a big impact at the start of the season.

Also in the frame were Salford City Reds star David Hodgson, Manchester City youth team captain Michael Johnson and Andy Morris, who successfully defended his British featherweight title.

Comments

Login or Register to comment

A big well done to Karl, with a deserved award for a man true to his word, who understands what grass roots Reds want. He has done exactly what he said he would do at the EGM and I for one have no complaints. Its been a great season and I want nothing more than the same kind of fun and frolics next season. Another promotion and cup run would be great, but if nothing else at least finish above Maine Road FC. Viva la revolution, come on FC.

Report This Reply

What a fantastic year for all these locals.
Well done to Karl and thanks a million for bringing football back to the working class.
Karl deserves the title

Report This Reply

nice one Margy. Thoroughly deserved.

Report This Reply

Do Andy Walsh and Stuart Brennan share a flat?

Report This Reply

Dash the only flat thing around here is your sense of humour.



Report This Reply

Next Up, AFC TELFORD v. FC UNITED. This charity game will be played tomorrow Saturday 6 May 2006 at the Bucks Head Stadium Telford. K.o. 3.00 pm. 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 before FC United was formed. All the money raised by FC will go to Jamie and his family. DIRECTIONS: There are a few ways but heres one. From the M60 exit jct 4 taking the m56 to jct 7. Take the A556 to the M6 south. Now when you reach jct 16 you can either go the scenic route via the A500, A51, A529,A525, A529 (AGAIN) A53, A442, A5223 and B5061 followed by a right on to Watling st, right onto Regent st and a further right onto Urban Gardens, or, take the M6 south to jct with the M54 and drive west straight to Telford. The latter may be longer but it will be a fair bit quicker i.e. no tractors, country lanes, lights etc. Viva la revolution, come on FC.

Report This Reply

Well Done Karl. Very much deserved.

Report This Reply

Margy is the man.

Report This Reply