Blog: FC United Mid Season Review

William Burch is a 16-year-old aspiring sports journalist who’s written a short piece on FC United, attracted by the history the club and the size of the club’s fan base.

FC United of Manchester are competing in the Northern Premier League, Premier Division, which is the seventh tier of The English football league system. They currently sit ninth in the table on 18 points. After a tough 2018/19 season, where they were relegated, FCUM seemed to have found some stability as they sit mid-table. They suffered three defeats in the first three games and it was looking like the loyal fans were in for another tough season ahead.

However, the results started going in favour of the Mancunian side as they went six games unbeaten and then fell to an unfortunate loss to Warrington Town in the FA Cup first round qualifying.

The 2014/15 season was when they last had real success, when they went up as champions in the Northern Premier League Premier Division where they currently reside.

FCUM devotees are one of the best groups of fans in non-league football, and no mean feat with such clubs as Manchester United and Manchester City surrounding them, you would be forgiven for thinking that FCUM would struggle for fans, but even during the roughest and most depressing times for the club, such as last season, they still managed to average at 1,943 at home. That’s pretty impressive.

FC United of Manchester currently have three stand out players, who you can tell have brought their shooting boots this season. Firstly there is Paul ‘Charlie’ Ennis, then Tunde Owolabi and by no means least, Regan Linney. With the trio scoring a combined total of 15 goals.

Ennis, who started his youth career at Stockport County, has found himself move around a few times in his career, with his most prolific goal scoring season for Stalybridge Celtic, scoring 31 goals in 74 games across 2013 to 2015.

He knew FCUM was the right club for him as he said about joining the club: “I’ve had a huge amount of experience of playing non-league football and am familiar with this level. It’s brilliant to join FC United. I spoke to the gaffer for five minutes, and pretty much made up my mind.”

If FCUM are looking to add some silverware to their collection, then the Frank Hannah Manchester Premier Cup is the perfect opportunity, as they beat Radcliffe Borough to progress to the next round.

FC United have really kick-started their season now and at least will look to secure a stable finish, but nothing is stopping them achieving what they really crave, a place in the play-offs could be a real possibility, if the right players show what they can do in the bread and butter of the league and give the ever faithful fans something to cheer about again.

I have nothing but positive to things to say about this "family-friendly" club and I wish them all best for the rest of this season and in the seasons to come.