FC United of Manchester welcomes the publication of the written reasons of The Football Association Appeal Board following our recent appeal against the Northern Premier League
As previously confirmed, the Appeal Board unanimously allowed the Club’s appeal. In doing so, it found that the Northern Premier League had reached a decision “to which no reasonable such body could have come” — a high threshold within FA regulations — and that the approach taken was "unfair, illogical and inconsistent with the principles of sporting integrity", having been reached without proper assessment of the pitch or meaningful engagement with the Club.
The Appeal Board further determined that the appropriate course was for the fixture to be played at Broadhurst Park as the primary venue, with a contingency arrangement in place - consistent with the approach the Club had proposed throughout.
We welcome the clarity provided by the written reasons and the principles they reinforce.
This case goes to the heart of how clubs are treated and how decisions are made within our game. Where outcomes have a direct impact on competition integrity, they must be based on proper evidence, fair process and genuine engagement with the clubs involved.
Those standards are not optional — they are fundamental to the credibility of any competition and must be upheld at all times.
This is not an isolated issue. It highlights broader concerns around governance, leadership and the independence and impartiality of decision-making within the Northern Premier League, which we will continue to pursue through the appropriate channels.
We expect the Northern Premier League to reflect carefully on these findings and to take the necessary steps to strengthen its governance, leadership and standards of conduct, and to improve how decisions are reached going forward.
We are grateful to the Appeal Board for its careful and considered review, and to the many clubs, supporters and members of the wider football community who offered their support. The strength and breadth of that support reflects a wider recognition of the importance of these issues across the game.
This is not just about FC United. All clubs and their supporters deserve confidence that their competitions are run fairly, transparently and to the highest standards.
FC United will continue to engage with the Northern Premier League and all stakeholders. That engagement must be underpinned by transparency, accountability and the highest standards of governance and conduct.
As a supporter-owned club, we will always stand up for fairness, integrity and the interests of supporters across the game.
The full Written Reasons for the Appeal Board's decision can be read here; FA Appeal Board Written Reasons: FC United of Manchester v Northern Premier League (17th April 2026)