Thursday, 1 December 2011 SORROW FOR MAGPIES? It’s back to Saturday Evostik League action A clipped cross from Astley Mulholland and this weekend as FC United take on an instinctive header in off the post from promotion rivals Chorley at in a Mike Norton sealed the win 13 minutes 3.00 pm. kick off. Both sides have had from time to send the home fans into some excellent results in recent weeks raptures. including a 3-1 away win for Chorley at high flying Northwich Victoria. With only 2 days to recuperate and the players having to hold down jobs at the After the trials and tribulations surrounding same time the team had a difficult away Mike Norton’s Trophy winner against Altrincham the earlier game this season which resulted match awaiting them at Nantwich Town on in a 2-0 win for the Magpies of Chorley FC Tuesday night however not a word of a Three substitutions midway through the United will be looking to set the record moan was heard from manager Karl second half saw a change in fortunes. New straight and show their opponents what a Marginson. A number of changes were signing Stephen Johnson was set free potent force they can be with the noisy made in midfield and attack including new down the left hand side to fire in a superb backing of their supporters. signing Stephen Johnson starting on the cross which was met with a bullet header wing. from Mike Norton to draw FC level. Despite FC created a small piece of history for some more late pressure FC couldn’t add themselves on Sunday afternoon as they The fresh legs didn’t seem to compensate to that strike and were happy in the end to progressed to the FA Trophy 1st Round for the reorganisation of personnel and maintain their unbeaten run of 9 games. proper for the first time with an exciting win Nantwich went ahead with a penalty on 9 over near neighbours Altrincham. A superb minutes after a foul by keeper James Now for the Magpies on Saturday and an long range strike from Carlos Roca Spencer which many thought may result in unbeaten run into double figures? Get seconds before half time put FC 1-0 up a red card as a double punishment. yourself to that football ground. before some poor marking at a corner Spencer remained on the field and was allowed Jack Redshaw to equalise not long fortunate not to beaten on two other into the second half. occasions in the first half leaving FC thankful to be only 1-0 down at half time.

MARGY

We weren't at our best on Tuesday night, but it is a mark of a good team when you still manage to get something out of a game when you have fallen short of your usual standards.

We are in a very happy place following recent results and performances and after the way we have raised the bar against Altrincham, I know the players now realise the standards they are capable of and the quality of performance that we hope will become the norm.

We want this good feeling to continue - we want to foster the belief that we can beat anyone on our day and we have instilled this in the players.

Saturday will be a test of how far we have improved of late, as Chorley are a quality side. They beat us earlier in the season, but I'd like to think we have improved since then and having home advantage is a big plus for us. Chorley will undoubtedly be near the top come the end of the season and we need to show that we can be there too.

Enjoy the match. Margy.

MARGY'S ON THE BBC

Our very own Karl Marginson is one of the special guests on BBC Radio Manchester’s Non-League Football this coming Friday, 2 December.

Margy will be talking about the season so far, looking ahead to Saturday’s crunch game with Chorley and giving his thoughts on the FA Trophy draw. Presenters Jack Dearden and Ian Burke will also be joined by the Northwich Vics manager Andy Preece, and will be discussing Stockport’s current problems too.

You can listen to Margy on BBC Radio Manchester on 95.1FM, DAB Digital Radio and online at bbc.co.uk/Manchester from 7pm. You can also ask questions by emailing [email protected]

MAKE SPACE 4 YOU AND CASH 4 FC

Calling all FC Listeners, Watchers and Players! We need all you Goodfellas and CoolCats out there to have a root through your sophisticated media libraries and dig deep to help raise money for club funds.

We’ve teamed up with local firm Used4Cash so you can donate all your unused and unwanted CDs, DVDs and computer games to raise cash for Club Funds. With all your help, we could raise anywhere from £10,000 to £20,000 in just one day, so get looking in those dusty drawers and see what you can dig out!

We’re asking supporters to email your postal address to [email protected] and you’ll receive a "Fundraising Sack" to fill with your unwanted stuff, and then bring along to the Chorley game and post them in the FC crested pod which will be located outside the Main Stand near the season ticket turnstile, there will also be a large van at the ground to deposit your goods.

Don’t worry if you haven’t received a Fundraising Sack, bring your CD’s, DVD’s and computer games along in anything you can. Unfortunately we can’t make use of old VHS video tapes. Every fan that donates will also be entered into a prize draw to win a one night stay in Barcelona and watch them play a game next May.

Step on this people - it’s a great opportunity to clean out your cupboards, give us the stuff you no longer play or use and help us get to our own ground quicker.

FAMILY FUN DAY IN MOSTON

Moston Miners Community Arts and Music Centre is the venue for a special "FC United... It's Your Co-op Family Fun Day" this coming Sunday, 4 December from 1pm until 4pm.

There's loads going on for all the family including entertainment for all ages, fun and games for the kids, including face-painting, penalty shoot-outs and Santa Claus. There'll be refreshments served in Colours Cafe and a raffle with great prizes on offer.

The Fun day is also an opportunity to catch up on the latest news on the new community stadium for Moston and what it means for local people. FC general manager Andy Walsh will be in attendance as well as representatives from Moston Juniors FC and two local councillors. The Co-op, who are backing the day, will also be on site, along with local community groups, resident groups and a special guest!

Kath Harvey, secretary of the Moston-based M40 4 FC group, said: "We hope to get a good turnout from local people as it's a chance to meet representatives from FC United to find out what the new stadium will bring to the area and the local community. It should also be a great fun day for everyone that attends so make sure you don't miss it."

"FC United... It's Your Co-op Family Fun Day" Sunday, 4 December from 1pm until 4pm Moston Miners Community Arts and Music Centre Teddington Road, Moston, Manchester M40

O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL - SILENT NIGHT (NOT) - 8th DECEMBER NOT TO BE MISSED

This year’s Christmas party promises to be a cracker. It’s also great value at £10, which includes food and a raffle. The entertainment is provided by the fantastic local artist ’Little Miss Dynamite’ who’ll be rockin’ around the Christmas tree singing a selection of motown, soul and popular music.

Yule not get a better night out for a tenner!

O come all ye faithful and join in the festivities

Date: Thursday 8th December 2011 Time: 7.30pm ’til late Venue: Brambles Bar, 9-13 Silver Street, Bury BL9 0EU Tickets: £10 (includes food, raffle and entertainment) available from the FC United Office 0161 273 8950 or call Vinny Thompson 07792 833086. Tickets are also available before any home game

FA TROPHY FIRST ROUND MATCH DETAILS - UPDATE

The kick-off time for the FA Carlsberg Trophy first round match between Guiseley AFC and FC United on Saturday 10th December 2011 will be 12 noon.

Both FC United and Guiseley AFC advocated a traditional 3pm kick-off, however, subsequent meetings between Guiseley AFC and West Yorkshire Police resulted in the changes above.

The game will be pay on the gate and tickets will be priced at £10 for Adults, £6 for concessions and £1 for under-12s. Although the prices have been set by Guiseley, as a cup game the proceeds will be shared between both clubs.

COME ON – A FEW MORE STILL TO GO!

The relaunched Community Share Scheme is now well under way but there are still a number of original investors in the first scheme for Lane that have still to return their application form to give consent to their investment to be switched over to the new scheme.

All investors have now received a letter containing the form, however full information on the scheme and application forms can be found here http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/communityshares?moston . It is imperative that these forms are returned immediately to Cobbetts solicitors in order that the Club can demonstrate to outside grant funders that we have our own funding in place.

If you don’t have the chance to post your form then it can be handed in to the Membership Stall at this Saturday’s game against Chorley. Blank forms will also be available for completion on the day if required.

Please also consider topping up your original investment if possible but don’t delay sending in your application form for this reason, you can always top up later on with a second application form.

GET SET FOR BIG COAT DAY – AND UNDER-18S GO FREE TOO

Members of the cast of Shameless are the latest stars to get involved with FC United’s Big Coat Day promotion, which takes place at our Boxing Day home game versus Ashton United. As an extra incentive to turn up, under-18s can attend the match for free too.

Other Big Coat Day backers include Corrie actors playing taxi driver Lloyd, Eileen Grimshaw, her new 'love interest', Paul, and Hayley Cropper, as well as Johnny Vegas, Justin Moorhouse, James Quinn, John Henshaw and ex-Inspiral Carpets star, Clint Boon.

Royal Mail are promoting Big Coat Day to their staff in 28 delivery offices and on visual display screens in every unit from Crewe to Carlisle. Not to be outdone, the Fire Service has also agreed backing and promise to send along a Fire Engine to the Boxing Day game.

Given that the derby fixture versus Ashton has been declared an Under 18s Go Free Game, what with fire engines, an FC Brass band and a monster collection of clothes for the homeless, it promises to be a great day out for the family.

Any reasonable quality winter clothing can be brought to Gigg Lane before the game where it will be collected by Mustard Tree and Boaz Trust for distribution around the city. Let us know if you get your colleagues and bosses or schools, colleges, stores or sports clubs to support it.

Contact [email protected] If you can help to publicise Big Coat Day at work or in your local shops then posters can be downloaded here http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/posters.php and printed copies will be available at this Saturday’s game from the Membership Stall and from volunteers at full time.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING ONLINE

It’s that time of year again and if like many you are going shopping online rather than fighting the crowds in the Trafford Centre then please register at easyfundraising which will provide you access to a large range of online retailers. Should you decide to buy anything through the easygiving site then FC United will receive a fee and you will be able to buy your present at exactly the same price.

It’s a win win situation so here’s the link! http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/fcunitedofmanchester/

MARINERS AND MAGPIES

Latest signing Stephen Johnson is hoping to make his home debut for FC United against Chorley at Gigg Lane on Saturday. The tricky winger was thrust into the side at Nantwich Town on Tuesday following his move from Marine and quickly made an impact, his pinpoint cross from the left being headed home by Mike Norton in the 81st minute to salvage a vital point.

Johnson was in the Tranmere Rovers academy before joining Burscough, where the Linnets were involved in a memorable FA Cup run in 2005-06, beating Gillingham 3-2 in the First Round before losing 1-4 at Burton Albion, thus losing the chance to face Manchester United at home in what would have been a money-spinning Third Round tie.

In July 2006 he switched to Prescot Cables, and two years later was plying his trade in the League of Wales in the shirt of Caernarfon Town. Despite a season fighting relegation, Marine joint manager Kevin Lynch spotted Johnson’s potential and signed him for the Mariners in July 2009. For the Crosby-based outfit he made 116 appearances and scored 14 goals, one of which secured a point in a 1-1 draw against FC United at Bower Fold in October 2011.

The new signing strengthens the Scouse connection in the FCUM dressing room, which began with Steve Torpey, continuing with Adam Carden, Kyle Wilson and current team mate Greg Stones.

Chorley lie in 4th place in the Northern , 7 points ahead of FCUM but having played 2 games more. The sides first met in September 2007 when a brace from Rory Patterson and a Stuart Rudd strike gave the Reds a 3-0 win at Victory Park. Patterson was on target in the return fixture but also missed a penalty as the home side edged the points by two goals to one.

In what was the third league meeting of 2007-08, Karl Marginson’s men once won at home in March 2008, with Patterson and Rudd once more sharing the goals, the score this time being 3-0. But in September of this year, the newly promoted Magpies came out on top at Victory Park 2-0. Lee McEvilly converted an early penalty and Andy Teague doubled the advantage. This was a disastrous day for the visitors, Matt Wolfenden being withdrawn before the kick off after straining a hamstring, Kyle Jacobs and Steve Torpey going off injured, and Ben Deegan receiving a red card in the closing minutes.

Chorley are managed by former Manchester City midfielder Gary Flitcroft, whose younger brother, Steve, was also sent off in the last meeting. Flitcroft the elder played 10 times for at Under-21 level and was a League Cup winner with Blackburn Rovers in 2002. He took over at Chorley in May 2010 and guided them to promotion at the first attempt last season.

FCUM are currently on a 9 game unbeaten run, whilst the visitors have won just one of their last 5 league fixtures.

Usual home match prices apply:

Adults £8

Concessions £5

Under 18s £2