FC United will once again be doing its bit to help those in need, in and around Greater Manchester, this winter through its annual Big Coat Day. This year we will be collecting much-needed warm coats at our fixture against Ilkeston Town to ensure we attract as many donations as possible.
We’re calling on all FC United fans to bring along a warm coat (new or in good condition) to donate at our home fixtures against Ilkeston Town on Saturday 29th November.
Your donations will go directly to people in our community who need them most this winter.
Collections will also run from 24th November – 2nd December at the ground.
Let’s show the power of our FC United family – bring a coat, spread the word, and help keep Manchester warm this winter.
#BigCoatDay
What is Big Coat Day?
Big Coat Day is FC United’s annual collection of warm winter coats to help those in need across Greater Manchester and this year it will take place on Saturday 29th November at Broadhurst Park prior to FC’s match against Ilkeston Town. Full details on all the fun, football, fundraising and informative events being held that day can be found here
It’s been a regular, and hugely popular, feature of the club’s community programme since 2005 and down the years the club has worked with a number of charities to help distribute warm winter clothing to those most in need. This year the club will be working again with Leoni Painter from Winning Hearts and Minds – an organisation that works to improve heart and mental health in North Manchester. We would also like to thank Manchester Cabins who have kindly donated a storage unit free of charge to help store the donations we receive.
What items are we collecting?
This year we are focusing on the collection of warm winter coats that are either new or in good condition.
Why is it called Big Coat Day?
The ‘Big Coat’ title refers to a comment from the club’s very early days when it played its second ever match at AFC Wimbledon in July 2005. On a lovely, warm summer’s day in south west London a television crew interviewed supporters and when one fan was asked whether he’d still be as keen to follow FC United in the depths of a freezing northern winter he replied, succinctly, that he’d “just get a big coat”.
And so, a few months later, in the winter of that first season when the club staged its first collection of clothing for homeless people ‘Big Coat Day’ seemed like an apt, slightly tongue-in-cheek title.
For any further information on Big Coat Day please contact our office at office@fc-utd.uk or 0161 769 2005