Get yourself to the right football ground again. FC United V Stocksbridge Park Steels, Bower Field, Stalybridge, Saturday 18th September, kick off 3.00 pm.
VERY IMPORTANT DATE FOR YOUR DIARIES: Thurs 23rd Sept. 7pm.
With the launch of the Community Share Scheme imminent and plans for Ten Acres Lane progressing rapidly, we have arranged a meeting for supporters at 7pm on Thursday 23rd September at the Methodist Hall, in Manchester city centre.
The purpose of the meeting will be two-fold. Firstly we will update supporters on the latest developments with the new ground, including the very latest architects’ drawings. We’ll explain the methodology used, that has got us to where we are in the process and we’ll discuss together the future vision for FC United and Ten Acres Lane.
Secondly, following a full press launch and release of the prospectus earlier in the week, we’ll present, discuss and answer questions on the Community Share Scheme. We hope that following the meeting everyone will be suitably enthused to go and evangelise the appeal of the scheme on the clubs behalf.
The significance of next week’s events on the road to Ten Acres should not be underestimated. We’ve had a few important meetings in our time and this is yet another, so we urge as many people to attend as possible.
The meeting is open to all supporters, not only members. So drag anyone you think might be interested in hearing our plans and who would like to know more about the Share Scheme directly from us. Parents, grandparents, work colleagues, the postman. If you know someone who recognises the importance of FC United to you, the importance of making football accessible to all, the importance of delivering a community asset to an area that needs it, then get them to the Methodist Hall at 7pm on Thursday 23rd.
See you there.
Steels Stats
FC United resume their league programme on Saturday with Stocksbridge Park Steels the visitors to Bower Fold. Our last league game there was against Matlock Town, who count as one of the oldest non-league clubs, dating back to 1878, which incidentally was the year Newton Heath came into existence. Stocksbridge PS was formed as recently as 1986, when Stocksbridge Works FC and Oxley Park merged.
Our first ever meeting was in October 2009 at Gigg Lane. The game was a seven-goal thriller, capped by an injury-time winner from Carlos Roca. United were 3-1 down after 47 minutes to the then league leaders before staging a courageous fightback. Roca 2, Ben Deegan and Jerome Wright netted for the Reds.
The return in Sheffield was in January of this year, Roca again being on target on the hour. The tough-tackling Steels accumulated 8 Yellow cards and Brett Lovell was dismissed with 20 minutes to go, but a late rally earned a point when Andy Ring forced in a low cross from close range with 2 minutes left on the clock.
Currently the Steels are a point behind FC in 13th place. Away from home they drew 2-2 at Hucknall Town and lost 0-1 at current league leaders Matlock Town during August. This month they went to Marine and trailed 0-5 at half time, before an amazing comeback after the interval which left the final score 5-4.
Last Saturday they defeated Trafford 4-2 in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round and travel to Yorkshire rivals North Ferriby United for the next round.