SAMMY McIlroy believes FC United can "go all the way'' to the Football League on the back of their phenomenal crowd-pulling power.
The Manchester United legend, who guided Macclesfield Town out of the non-league pyramid and is now bidding to do the same with Morecambe, says that the rebel club have the support base to become a roaring success.
FC United were recently named as non-league football's Club of the Year after averaging home gates of over 3,000 in their inaugural season, and McIlroy was on hand to present the award to manager Karl Marginson, who played under him during the glory years at Moss Rose.
Marginson shared the accolades for FC United's remarkable season with assistants Phil Power and Darren Lyons, also former Silkmen who played under McIlroy.
McIlroy, who cut his managerial teeth by guiding Ashton United out of the North West Counties League - which is FC United's challenge next season after promotion from the second division - says the new club have a great chance.
"For me working at that level was a great learning curve, because you are still handling players and still have the hassle of sorting things out when someone rings you on a Thursday to tell you they can't play on Saturday because they have to work a late shift," said the 51-year-old, who went on to manage Northern Ireland and Stockport County before returning to Conference management with Morecambe last season.
"Managing in non-league presents different challenges. I had a chat with the lads when I presented them with the awards and they told me that they got over 6,000 for the last game of the season, which is unbelievable.
Atmosphere
"That has to be a great advantage, and a fantastic atmosphere for the players, but there is the other side, in that it also gets the opposition players going as well.
"And Karl and the lads will know they have to have players who can handle that kind of atmosphere.
"But when you have support like that, players will want to play for you, and if they can keep bringing in players who are that little bit better as they move up the leagues, they can go all the way."
Power, who still dons his boots for FC, was a star for McIlroy's Macclesfield, helping them into the League and then scoring the goal that secured promotion to the old second division in their historic first season in 1998.
And both Lyons, who also still plays, and Marginson, turned out for the Silkmen.
"That is one of the reasons I agreed to present the awards," says McIlroy. "They are all good lads and played their part in the great success we had at Macc.
"I bumped into them when Macc had a fund-raising game against a World XI in February, and since then I have looked out for their results, and it's good to see lads like that still in the game.
"To be honest I never really saw them as management types when they were playing for me. Darren was very, very quiet, just did his own thing, while Phil was a character in the dressing room and Karl had a great, dry sense of humour, a bit of a comedian."
McIlroy himself almost made history last season by taking Morecambe to the Conference play-offs where they narrowly lost out to Hereford. He would have been the first manager to take two different clubs into the League.
How will FC United get on in the new division? Have your say.
Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
3,000 people cant be wrong.
Im not the least bit surprised McIlroy is an FC fan. He knows the local football scene and grass-roots fans. I remember him speaking up for FC United in a TV interview last year which included other interviews with Ryan Giggs, Lee Sharpe and Tommy Docherty. I think Margie could do a lot worse than pick Sammys brains and emulate his success at both non-league and league level. Dont forget MEN, the NWCFL div.1 league fixtures list will we out next Wednesday 28/6/06 and I expect a full spread of all football fixtures in the sports page from the prem to NWCFL div. 2. Viva la revolution, come on FC.
Exiting days ahead indeed.
He is the only ex united player to mention them. The rest of united's old guard look at them as throwing their toys out of their pram.
Red all over. I think you need to do your homework. Ever heard of Eric Cantona who Played for United before 1999 (not that you would remember). He was one of the greatest players to play at Old Trafford and he supports FC United.
The sooner these so called Manchester United fans start realisng how massive FC truly are the sooner we will be able to buy back our club from Malcolm Glazer. The atmosphere at most games was awesome. Where else could you get such a fantastic day out for 7 pounds. No wonder Sammys kids became blues.
Mark - Yes they can be wrong actually. This is a minor-league team, with a minor-league owner and minor league fans. The self-importance and self-indulgence shown by the FC leadership is unwarranted, unnecessary and unappealing in every way. Glazer shut down their little niche as leaders of the local pub fan club chapter. Guess what Shareholders United (now MUST) never spoke for me and they don't speak for me now that they are running FC.
RAO, the only ex-MUFC players who have come out against FC United are those who still have their snouts in the trough at Old Trafford. These are the same people who will say whatever it takes to ensure they never have to really work for a living. I wonder what their position will be when the supporters finally do have to take over at O.T. to clear up the Edwards and Glazer mess?
actually red all over, other ex players are afraid of being cast out into outer darkness if they admit even the existence of FC.
Update for the MEN -NWCL fixtures will be released on 7 July. Let's have a full spread, and a feature on FC Utd vs Maine Road. 8,000 anybody?
There's no way in a million years the current Utd players and officials haven't heard of FC Utd. But as we know from Fergie's little fit at the press conference, it's a no-go area for them.
As for Division 1, they've got to have a chance. Top 3 went up last year, with no replacement from above (due to restructuring). So winning it this season would be like coming 4th last season. Definitely achievable.
mark, manchester ??" I case you dont already know, Dash Walny (the Andy Walsh anagram) aka Tommy Tampa is not and never has been a United fan. He is a Bucs fan, who by his own admission, is only interested in United because he claims to know the Glazers and would have no interest in United if it wasnt for the Glazers. Personally, I think he is just the local Tampa wineo. He certainly does a lot of whining. He is right about one thing though, MUST or any other fans group have never represented him or any other Glazer lovers.
P.S. FC Uniteds Reserve Team has been accepted into the Reserve Division of the Moore & Co Construction Solicitors League. I understand that the decision was made at the NWCFL AGM. Home matches will be played at Abbey Hey FC. For those who dont already know, the address is Abby Stadium, Goredale Ave, Gorton, Manchester M8.
Free Red: I find it amusing that you and other FC Supporters are so afraid of any bit of criticism of your new communal experiment. Also, what happed to all the "world is ending" predictions that SU made in the past that drove so many people to the FC matches?
walnut dashboard, what you write is not criticism, it is pathetic snide below the belt, belittling unsubstantiated bile. There is nothing against proper - negative or positive - criticism but you are not interested in healthy debate, you just want to sound your own trumpet in a no one else thinks you anything but a norman no mates pub bore while you think the world listens enraptured at your feet. We are here to stay, get over it.
And then there are those who find it more than amusing that so many who profess to have no interest whatsoever in FC Utd simply can't stop reading and writing about them.
ITS PARTY TIME! On Sunday 2 July, FC United members will be holding a closed season party at Conners Bar on Stockport road, Heaton Chapel Stockport just off the A6 through Levenshulme. The do starts from 2.00pm and finishes when everyone goes home. Entrance will be a one pound or three quid for a family. All are welcome. Entertainment includes local bands Hanky Park, Hangnail, Concerned Aces and acoustic guitar playing from Kitman George, Keith (from Crispy Ambulance). There will also be a BBQ and out-door bar plus Bouncy Castles and face painting for the kids. The day will also feature an arrangement of up and coming DJ's rounding off the night with a Northern soul, funk, set. All profit made from this NOT FOR PROFIT event will be distributed amongst several local charities. All bands and DJs are PLAYING FOR FREE.
Free Red - Nothing says "pub" club, like throwing a party at a . . . .errr PUB. I couldn't stop laughing when I read your post. . .
I have no time for FC United and what they have done, they cannot be compared with what Runcorn Linnets hope to achieve. I support Manchester United and I support football facilities and a team in my home town of Runcorn. I cant see the club secretary of Runcorn Linnets being on ??18,000 per year. With regards to a friendly, I have no problem of FC United being used as the proverbial cash cow.
??oeI have no time for FC United and what they have done, they cannot be compared with what Runcorn Linnets hope to achieve???????????????????????????..??oeWith regards to a friendly, I have no problem of FC United being used as the proverbial cash cow???. So let us get this straight. You have no time for FC United, except, of course, for the time you take to read and write about them. You would, however, be prepared to make time for them if that involved making some money for a team for whom you do have time? Seems to me then that your first statement is, kind of, well???. untrue really, no???
Oh and by the way, how much work does the Runcorn Linnets club secretary have to do? Would you imagine it to be anywhere near the workload of the secretary of one of the best supported, fastest growing and most talked and written about non-league football clubs in the world???
My prediction for this season as mentioned in a previous story are that United will have a better cup run and finish in the top half. Last season achievements were awe inspiring, but I think another immediate promotion would be impossible considering we will be playing better teams than last year who as always will up their game against United. As for the long term..I agree with Sammy, League football can never be discounted, but we have to be realistic and understand this could take 10 or twenty years. One last point I've just got back from Oz and cant believe Blues are still on this site, surely we cant be a threat to them??????
FLINT TOWN UNITED v. FC UNITED. Our newly formed reserves team will be playing their first friendly on Saturday 8 July 2006 at Cae Y Castell, Marsh Lane, Flint, Wales. k.o. 3.00pm. Pay on the gate ??5 Adults, ??2.50 O.A.Ps. and free entry for children under 14 years. For other information tel. 01352 730982. DIRECTIONS. From the M60 ring road take the M56 to North Wales/Chester. Exit Jct 16 onto the A5117 for about one mile then turning left onto the A550 for about another half mile then take the A548 signposted for Flint. Arriving in Flint, follow signs for Flint Castle where the ground is situated on the sea front. There is ample car parking and social club on site outside the ground. With a bit of luck Ryan Giggs brother Rhodri Giggs will make his debut for FC in his native Wales.
Are there any plans to bring out a special FC beer along the lines of the United "full strength" lager? Perhaps on reflection it should be a bitter. Any thoughts on a name? How about "Boiling Brew"? (catchy hey?)
The Flint away game is worth a trip. The area has a big United following and am sure some of them might turn up. Will be interesting to see what the crowd is, anything over 100 would be a staggering achievement.
FC fans voting on mass has ensured that FC fan Thomas McEldowney has won the BBCs prestigious Sport Photographer of the Year competition with more than 20% of the votes. The clubs official photographer Andy McIntyre also made the final shortlist, but it was Thomas picture of an FC United fan celebrating Rory Patterson converting a penalty against Great Harwood Town at Accrington that won the award. Well done Thomas, you got my vote after a friend sent me the e-mail attachment. I think your pic is one for next years programme. Nice one.
Sad.......Very Very Sad indeed, that you feel the need to form another club away from Old trafford???, Yeh OK it might be a laugh at the moment and a bit of a novelty for you renegade reds but what,s next? form a third team and maybe perhaps a fourth! why not???. Wheres your loyaly, gone?. At least City fans stay loyal and devoted to the one true Club in Manchester that they could never abandon!!. tsk tsk tsk. Fans?????.