FC United has announced that there will be a host of special guests at todays game at Gigg Lane including Andy Burnham MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and David Chaytor MP for Bury North. Mr Burnham, MP for Leigh and the former chairman of Supporters Direct, has been an outspoken advocate of supporter owned football clubs for a number of years and has been keen to take in an FC United game for quite some time. The lifelong Everton supporter is planning to attend today with his six-year-old son, his Labour Party colleague, Mr Chaytor, the Mayor of Bury Councillor Peter Ashworth and also Beijing Paralympic gold medallist and Bury resident Zoe Robinson.

Mr Chaytor said yesterday: "I'm delighted to be attending tomorrow's match with Andy Burnham, who has a strong background in working with football clubs in the community and supporter's organisations. "FC United represent something unique in English football – a club run by the fans on a not for profit basis. I know that the club do a great deal for community groups and a lot of charity work, which is really commendable. "However, what impresses me most is the way in which they keep their prices affordable, so that anyone who wants to go and watch can do so at little cost. This policy is especially important for young people, who are all too often priced out of going to the match."

The event is a direct result of FC United supporters contacting their local MPs to discuss the matter of affordable football in the community with them. A group of supporters from Leigh contacted Mr Burnham and Mr Chaytor was approached by one of the club's founder members, Gary Peace. Gary said: "I read a piece on the official website encouraging supporters to get in touch with their local MPs to discuss the state of the modern game. I contacted David Chaytor who was interested and asked if I’d like to come and discuss it further at his 'drop-in' session for constituents. I met with him and had a good chat about football in general. "David was keen to attend an FC United match and Andy Burnham had already expressed a desire to meet with members of the Board. So, after working around their busy schedules, we've managed to get them both to come along to Saturday's match against Prescot Cables."

FC United 2-0 Prestcot Cables

FC United 2 – 0 Prescot Cables. We have now moved to within two points of the play-off zone. Two second half goals from Simon Carden saw off Prescot Cables at Gigg Lane this afternoon. Carden broke the deadlock four minutes after the interval by stroking home the rebound from a Kyle Wilson shot that the Prescot keeper could only parry. The midfielder struck again with 15 minutes to go after being played through by a delightful ball from left-back Simon Garner, sealing victory in front of 2,045 ecstatic supporters.

Next up, Witton Albion FC v FC United of Manchester, Saturday 24th January 2009, Kick off 3:00pm. This game is to be played at Wincham Park, Chapel Street, Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 6DA. This game is pay on the gate. Admission prices are as follows: £9 Adults £6 Under 16s & Senior Citizens. Three turnstiles will be open at both the Lostock and Wincham ends of the ground and will be open from 1.00pm. There will be no segregation.

The Bar/Social Club: Will be open before the game, access to the bar will be from the car park or the ground (via the turnstiles). Supporters accessing the bar from the car park will be required to exit the bar to gain access to the ground via the turnstiles. Supporters accessing the bar via the ground will be issued with a special ticket at the turnstiles that will allow access into the bar/social club and back again through the door between the social club and the main stand. No bottles will be served from the bar and all drinks will be served in plastic glasses. Witton Albion FC has a strict policy of not allowing alcohol onto the ground.

Refreshments: Two tea huts will be open on the ground from 1.15pm, each selling chips, pies, snacks and hot drinks. These huts will be the only source of hot food and are accessible from the social club unless supporters have already entered the ground via the turnstiles.

Match Programmes: The programme will be a standard match issue priced at £2 and will be available from the turnstiles & social club.

Raffles/Draws: Half time draw tickets to be sold from the social club with prizes to be collected from the social club after the match.

Car Parking: Free car parking around 100 cars is available at the Lostock End of the ground.

Directions By Car: M6 junction 19, follow A556 towards Northwich for 3 miles then turn right at the beginning of dual carriageway onto A559. After 3/4 mile turn right at traffic lights at the'Slow and Easy' pub. After a further 3/4 mile turn left opposite the Black Greyhound Inn into Wincham Lane. Ground is 1/2 mile on left immediately after crossing the canal.

By Train: The nearest train station is Northwich. The journey takes approximately 53 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly, followed by a 20 minute walk. Outbound: Manchester Piccadilly to Northwich – 10:17 11:17 12:17 13:17. Return: Northwich to Manchester Piccadilly – 18:37 19:37 20:37. Full train details and fares can be found at www.thetrainline.com.