Introducing Your 2024/25 FC United Men's Squad

Thursday evening (1st August) saw the 2024/25 Season Launch event here at Broadhurst Park with a welcome to the new squad ahead of the coming season.

Neil Reynolds and his backroom team have been busy with recruitment since well before the end of last season, building on the core group who we have kept on. There are a few new faces, including one seriously big name, alongside a full slate of the players they wanted to retain from last season.

Reflecting on the squad's composition, Manager Neil Reynolds said, "I'm absolutely delighted with how we've managed to retain all the players we wanted from last year. The commitment and effort from everyone during pre-season have been outstanding, with the lads showing great fitness levels, adapting well to our playing style, and really gelling as a team. The spirit in the camp is fantastic, and we're ready to hit the ground running."

The defence sees the return of the familiar faces of 2023/24 FCUth Player of the Season Curtis Jones, Jan Palinkas, Charlie Oliver, Joe Ferguson, and 2023/24 Russell Delaney Men’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season Guy Hall.

In midfield, returning for another season is club captain Charlie Ennis, alongside Michael Donohue, Charlie Munro and 2023/24 Goal of the Season winner Dec McLoughlin.

Club captain Charlie Ennis expressed his excitement about the upcoming season: "The quality we've brought in this summer is incredible. It's exciting to see so many talented players in the group, and the competition for places is fierce. It's pushing everyone to be their best, and that's exactly what we need to challenge on all fronts this season."

At the top end of the pitch we see the return of Dontai Gabidon, Jordan Buckley, and the 2023/24 Fenix Trophy Player of the Tournament Aaron Bennett. We are also delighted to welcome back Callum Gribbin and Jay Fitzmartin from long-term injuries; both are raring to get back to playing competitive football.

Joining the returning group of players are a number of new signings. With shot-stopper George Murray-Jones’ loan spell coming to an end, we’ve brought in ex-MUFC Academy product Ollie Byrne. At the back, Dec Evans joins from Southport, giving us added presence in the centre of the defence, whilst midfield is bolstered with the addition of Hayden Lindley, a former FA Youth Cup winner with Aston Villa.

We have a new winger in Jake Connelly who joins from Lancaster. Lewis Rawsthorn, last season’s North West Counties Player of the Season following a 31-goal campaign for Atherton LR, comes in on loan from Radcliffe. We have also added Jordan Preston, who scored twice against us in our trip to Bradford Park Avenue last season.

And finally, we’re delighted to confirm that the rumour that has been on everyone’s lips over the last few weeks is true. Ex-Premier League player Adam Le Fondre joins after featuring for Hibernian in the SPL last season. With over 400 Football League appearances, and his 56 goals in 97 games guiding Australian side Sydney FC to two A-League Championships in two years, ‘Alfie’ comes with a wealth of experience and class.

The management team would also like to place on record their thanks to Josh Askew, Eddie Church, Lewis Gilboy, Andre Mendes, Aaron Morris and Ryan Qualter, who have been involved with the squad over pre-season but will be playing their football elsewhere this year.

With the start of FC's twentieth season just over a week away, the stage is set for the 2024-25 FC United of Manchester squad to shine.

Be part of this exciting journey and stand with the Reds—grab your Season Tickets and Memberships today at www.fcumshop.co.uk and let's make this season unforgettable!