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Celebration of fan-owned football as United take on Wimbledon

Celebration of fan-owned football as United take on WimbledonFC United make our fourth trip to The Fans’ Stadium, Kingsmeadow to take on AFC Wimbledon for the fifth time and the match promises to be another celebration of supporter-owned football.

Saturday’s hosts were formed in 2002 and their advice was integral to the formation of our club three years later. As such, the two clubs have always enjoyed a good relationship and, despite the gulf in league standings, have been keen to lock horns on the pitch.

Four previous encounters over the last eight years have been closely fought with Wimbledon winning the three that have been staged at Kingsmeadow and United fighting back to sneak a 2-1 victory at Gigg Lane in July 2006 thanks to goals from captain Dave Brown and fans’ favourite Steve Torpey.

It’s been four years since the two clubs last met, so the encounter at the weekend promises to be extra special. Since then, whilst FC United have had three years of Evo-Stik play-off final heartbreak, the Wombles have made it into the Football League for the 2011-12 season and narrowly avoided relegation on the last day of last season.

Both clubs have also gone on impressive FA Cup runs, which have helped put supporter-owned football firmly in the public-eye and media-spotlight. Whilst FC United reached the second round in 2010, the Dons highlighted the reasons behind their existence with a much debated second round tie with Milton Keynes Dons two years later.

Although a friendly, Saturday’s contest will give manager Karl Marginson a good opportunity to see how his players respond to competing against a full-time, professional outfit, whilst supporters of both clubs will once again come together to enjoy the pleasure of owning their own football clubs. Get yourself to that football ground.



First Posted ~ 17:42 Thu 11 Jul 2013
News ID ~ 4973
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021