


1st Leg in Podgorica, Montenegro on Monday 3rd March, Montenegro Football Federation Training Ground KO 6pm local time (5pm in the UK).
The ground is located here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TqaanRd1z6pUazpx6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
2nd Leg at Broadhurst Park, Manchester on Saturday 8th March, ko TBC
The Fenix Trophy has reached the ¼ Final stages and FC United have been drawn to play Montenegrin opposition for the first time against 3rd division side Fans United who qualified with a 7-2 aggregate win against Italian side Brera FC in round 1
Although not on the same scale as previous trips to South Korea and the US, FC United’s deepest foray yet into Eastern Europe is a touch more challenging logistically than usual as there are no direct flights from Manchester at this time of year.
The 3 most convenient airports for this trip are of course Podgorica but also Tirana in Albania and Dubrovnik in Croatia who are both within a 3 to 5 hour bus ride of Podgorica.
Ryanair fly London Stansted to Podgorica on Friday 28th Feb and Sat 1st, Monday 3rd March with return flights on Tues 4th March and Friday 7th March.
Ryanair fly Manchester to Tirana in Albania on Fri 28th Feb and Sunday 2nd March with return flights on Thurs 6th March. We are currently trying to organise transport with the team for those arriving on Sunday on Ryanair RK8292 so we suggest that those on that flight wait for further info. There are a few buses that do that route including FlixBus which has 2 daily morning departures from Tirana and on the return 2 daily afternoon departures from Podgorica. Failing that a taxi for 4 costs between €110 and €140 (it’s suggested that the official taxi stand at Tirana airport charges €130 but we’ll get that checked if the option to go with the team falls through) and some online transfer operators are offering an 8 seater for £200 which is a cheap and convenient option if you group together.
EasyJet fly Manchester to Dubrovnik in Croatia on Sat 1st March with a return flight on Wed 5th March. Flixbus offer a service to Podgorica on Sunday 2nd March but this is 2 hours longer than if you come from Tirana .If you check buscroatia.com you can also book 2 local Croatian operators who unlike Flixbus have daily availability. Taxi transfers are under €200 for those who want to group together.
Fans who live outside the Manchester area should check out flights to Tirana and Dubrovnik from their local airport such as Wizz Air from Luton to Tirana.
Just one week on from the 1st leg our ¼ final tie will be settled at Broadhurst Park on Saturday 8th March with a 15:00 ko
£13 Adults
£9 Concessions
Free: 21 & Under if ticket reserved online ahead of the game. Those aged under 14 must be accompanied
We rely on fans attending the home game to fund our participation costs in the Fenix Trophy so we would ask fans to make every effort to attend as if crowds aren’t sufficient we wouldn’t be able to keep participating in future years. With flights paid for in January but the match income not until March we would ask that wherever possible you book your tickets as early as you can online here: https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=9264
Having comprehensively beaten Italian side Brera FC 7-2 in round 1, we expect a tough challenge against Fans United who play at the 3rd level of the Montenegro football pyramid. Fans United director Filip Vuckovic tells us more about his club:
“We are Fans United. A small club with big dreams.
Founded in 2022, Fans United is not just a football club—it’s a movement. Our story is unlike any other because we are run entirely by our fans. Through our mobile app, supporters from around the world become active members by paying an annual fee, giving them full access to the club’s finances and the power to make crucial decisions. From selecting the club’s colors and coach to deciding on player signings and future projects, every major step is shaped by the fans. Our mission is simple: to give every football lover a genuine sense of belonging and the chance to be part of something bigger.
We proudly promote friendship, transparency, and an honest love for the game. That’s why we call ourselves one big Purple Family. Our commitment to keeping football pure—free from hidden interests and politics—has helped our voice reach far beyond Montenegro. Our passion for the game caught the attention of global football legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Luís Figo, and Andriy Shevchenko after our Instagram reel was featured on UEFA’s official Instagram page and covered by the renowned Spanish sports newspaper Marca.
This is only our second season ever, and we are already making history. Competing in the Montenegrin Third League (Central Region), we face tough competition among 22 teams divided into two groups, with only one team earning promotion to the Second League. Despite the challenges, our hard work and dedication have earned us a place in the prestigious Fenix Trophy—a European tournament celebrating the spirit of amateur football. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and see it as proof that our passion and persistence are paying off.
Our squad consists of 24 passionate players who give everything on the pitch and build lifelong friendships off it. Most of our players are local talents who play without pay, driven purely by love for the game and the club. Despite limited resources, our spirit remains unbreakable.
We believe that football belongs to everyone. Whether you’re cheering from the stands in Podgorica or supporting us from across the globe, you are part of this journey. Together, we are proving that fans can run a football club better than anyone.
This is just the beginning.”
It certainly appears that our 2 clubs will find we have much in common. Finally an interesting detail about the 1st leg is that as well as the usual live stream on the Fenix Trophy YouTube channel our game in Podgorica is due to be shown live on national terrestrial TV in Montenegro