The cup games continue to come thick and fast as this Saturday FC United take on Colwyn Bay in the FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round at Gigg Lane kick off 3.00 pm. After the drama of the FA Cup win over Barrow on Sunday and the exertions of a fine away league win at Ossett on Tuesday evening Margy is hoping that the winning run continues against the Welsh side.

"I was delighted with Tuesday’s performance as we recorded an excellent win over Ossett. Of course we’d beaten them comprehensively at home recently but it was always going to be a tricky game after Sunday’s exertions. We looked to freshen things up a bit by bringing in Mark Ayres, Simon Carden and Nicky Platt and stressed the need for us to match the fight which they’d inevitably show. The players did that and ultimately gave us a base to go on and win the game."

"Given all the cup games we’ll hit a backlog of matches at some point and we’ll need all the lads raring to go and ready to step into the team when called upon. Everyone will be looking to impress with the big FA Cup game coming up and that’s a nice situation for any manager to be in, but at the same time there’s a danger that some players are distracted slightly, no matter how much we tell them to forget it until it comes round. League points are always the most crucial currency to any football club, whatever the rewards on offer in cup competitions, and we kept our focus on Tuesday which was good to see."

"We welcome Colwyn Bay to Gigg Lane on Saturday. They’re a good, experienced side and are doing well in the league. They lost a few players in the summer to Chester but I believe they’ve replaced them with what are very good capable footballers for this level so they’ll be no pushovers. We stressed the need to adopt the right approach to lower division Newcastle Town in the last round and did so extremely well. The message we’ll be stressing today is to apply that same effort - just because we’re playing a Football League side next week doesn’t mean we’re suddenly one of the big boys. We want to keep our winning streak going. It’s five games on the bounce now and we want to make it six and seven and eight. Winning gets to be a habit and victory on Saturday will take us nicely into next Friday’s game with confidence sky high."

"We thoroughly deserved to beat Barrow and were the better side for most of the game. As for the atmosphere: unbelievable, absolutely breathtaking. When the goal went in I saw people running and jumping down the stand and couldn’t believe it. The number of press and TV people wanting interviews was ridiculous and that carried through to the Monday with calls for interview requests from 8:30am until 9:20pm. It’s not an ideal situation but it’s an opportunity to showcase the club and that’s what the FA Cup brings. And of course it’s far better than not still being in the competition! However, if I get one more question about the possibility of playing United in the Third Round…"

"I’ve been involved in the First Round five or six times as a player, but as a pro we came in at that stage anyway. Probably the furthest I got from non-league was with Stalybridge when we lost 1-0 to Chester in the Second Round and they went on to draw City at Maine Road. Friday night will be a huge opportunity for all the players and it’s a great challenge for them, one to enjoy. ‘Enjoyment’ was the word of the day on Sunday and that will be the same at Spotland. As long as we do the things we have been, then, whatever the result, we’ll walk away with our heads held high."

"It’s a cliché but we’re in a situation where we have to take each game as it comes. With the Barrow game gone the focus was on Ossett. Now it’s Colwyn Bay and only then onto Rochdale. With all the cup fixtures there’s a danger we could get left behind in the league but it’s not worth worrying about as the other side to that is two defeats would see it all over in a week. We have to build on the feel good factor, the results, the confidence and the form. Five or six weeks ago all the players were getting asked questions but to a man they’ve answered every one. Right now that’s the most pleasing aspect."

Get yourself to that football ground, FC United V Colwyn Bay, FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round, Gigg Lane, Saturday 30th October, kick off 3.00 pm.

We would like to advise supporters that our FA Cup 1st Round Proper tie against Rochdale will take place on Friday 5th November, kick off 7.45pm

On the morning after our victory over Barrow (Monday 25th October), the Club was informed by Rochdale AFC that the FA had contacted them to say that ESPN had requested our game be shown live on their channel on the evening of Friday November 5th. Each club will be paid £67 500 for the game to be shown, a sum of money undoubtedly valuable to both clubs. We were asked by Rochdale if we had any opposition to the game being switched. It was reassuring to learn that such a switch is not enforced by broadcasters and that we had a choice, but nonetheless this presented us with an immediate decision to make.

We recognise that playing such a high-profile, important game on a Friday evening is not ideal, not least of all for those supporters who live outside of the Greater Manchester area. It is an unfortunate consequence of our democracy that any decision the Board takes will not always meet with the approval of every FC United supporter as there are a wide range of circumstances and opinions to take into account, not all of which can be represented by the final decision. However, by accepting this offer the Board feels they have acted in the best interests of the Club as a whole, both in the immediate and long term, as it increases awareness of what we’re doing in Newton Heath and removes some of the enormous pressures of running a football club whilst playing at Gigg Lane.

In reaching this decision the Board took into account a number of factors including the financial incentive, the impact on the team, the overriding goal of reaching Ten Acres Lane, and most of all the impact on supporters.

With these considerations in mind the crucial factor which guided the Board towards the final decision was the previously held members vote on FA Cup participation. At this meeting members voted for the Club to enter the FA Cup on the precondition that progression into the 1st round proper and beyond may invite offers to play our games live on television. It was the view of the Board that this ‘yes’ vote constituted a steer to consider this offer from ESPN. Of course we had the power to decline their offer, but in the absence of any overwhelming opposition when the issue was debated, the Board felt we had a mandate to accept.

The Board always strives to avoid making unilateral decisions and always acts in the interests and according to the wishes of its members. We believe we have again done so, but of course the beauty of our democratic structure ensures that if there is opposition to this decision then members can submit resolutions on future participation, votes can be taken and any future decision be influenced accordingly.

That democratic input should be cherished and held dear by all members, because as much as the decisions themselves it was the lack of a voice, a lack of an influence in decision-making that led to the disillusionment of many before our formation. FC United members will always have that voice and can therefore continue to make strategic decisions and dictate the direction of our club.

We would also like to advise supporters that Rochdale, mindful of the effect it may have on both clubs’ revenue, asked us if we had any opposition to prices being lowered from their usual prices of £20 for adults and £14 for concessions to £12 for adults, £8 for concessions and £5 for under 16’s. We had no hesitation in accepting this fantastic gesture, which helps us to meet our constitutional aim of providing affordable football for match going fans.

We hope that as many people as possible can make it to Spotland for what will be the biggest game in the Club’s history. Regardless of the result, the impact of this fantastic run in the FA Cup will be felt long after the final whistle on November 5th and evidenced in our onward march to Ten Acres Lane, Newton Heath.

The Board of FC United of Manchester.

Smile Please?

It seemed like the media outlets had moved into overdrive before during and after the historic 1-0 win against Barrow at Gigg Lane last Sunday. There were five camera crews at the game itself as well as a platoon of journalists and more photographers than you can shake a tripod at.

The coverage will no doubt go up a further notch or two as we build up to the game at Rochdale a week on Friday. If you can’t access the internet then live TV coverage will be on ESPN.

For those that may have missed the coverage of the Barrow game try these links:-