Article for North West Counties League

I wrote this article to be published on the official website of the North West Counties Football League. It was published in their first ever online monthly newsletter back in 2006.

Last season was the 1^st season of non league football for many FC United fans. The general opinions were of over-riding joy, of enjoying football as they never had before, of being involved in and helping to run their own club and generally having the time of their lives. The feedback from the vast majority of places reciprocated this feeling, as we were greeted with open arms and warm welcomes in 90% of places we visited.

The 1^st thing noticeable was of course the lack of rivalry. As Utd fans we have always been used to coming up against rivals, usually in the form of Liverpool, Man City or Leeds.

Who would be cast as the NWCL pantomime dames? Winsford fitted the bill 1^st, due to their perceived proximity to Merseyside and also due to the fact that at an early season game, they seemed to be fielding a whole team of Olympic standard divers (oh and the fact that they were a good team!!)

Flixton and Darwen both took over later in the season, due to the lack of concessions offered to children and OAPs. The fact that Flixton are local and took 4 points off FC didn’t help much either!

My favourite game has to be the home game verses Winsford at the start of January. It was a game that could have gone either way with Winsford challenging at the top. They took a 1-0 lead through Rick Arnold and it looked like they were going to take all 3 points in a game that could have shaped the rest of the season, but FC grabbed the game by the scruff and when Rory Patterson hit the winner, the crowd and players reaction was something that hadn’t really been seen before during the season.

Other highlights that stand out were the minute’s applause at Gigg Lane for the passing of board member Russell Delaney and the game at Great Harwood on a wet and wild Monday night. That game, brought home to many FC fans what non league football is all about as it was watched in driving rain, hail and snow, topped off by a lovely force 10 gale.

The best moment of the season has to be the open top bus parade that accompanied the presentation of the championship trophy. The 200 yard drive down Manchester Road to the Swan and Cemetery will live with me for a long long time. This wasn’t intended as anything “big time” was just a reference to the days of old when we turned out to watch the heroes of Man United bringing home the silverware. Tongues firmly in cheeks on that day.

As for the future, well who knows?
The club is owned and run by its supporters and despite what the critics may try and say, it will be around for a long time yet. It is run on a one member, one vote basis, the board is voted on by the membership, all important decisions about club policy are voted on by members at club meetings and this situation is one that people are happy with.

Personally, I wish the club to go as far as possible, without compromising any of the principles involved in setting the club. I am happy about not having shirt sponsorship, that is one of the key decisions at the club, I am realistic to see that, difficult decisions have to be made in the future, but that is the beauty of Fc United, we have that opportunity to debate the issue and vote on it.

A world away to what we are used to, and long may it continue.