Keep on keepin' on, keep on keepin' strong

Keep on keepin’ on, keep on keepin’ strong: From Atlanta, Georgia, to Longsight, Manchester, everyone willing and able...

FC United manager Karl Marginson: "From day one it’s been amazing to see the support we’ve got from our fans. As players and coaches used to playing at non-league or lower league level we were really taken aback by the crowds we have got and the vocal support FC fans provide.

"I can’t overstate how much the crowd lifts the players. There’ve been games when the supporters have quite literally carried the team - Quorn in the FA Vase at Gigg Lane was one such day. We were down to nine men and the lads on the pitch were dead on their feet but the noisy backing we got that day drove us on to what was nearly a miraculous victory.

"Time and again the crowd have made the difference for us - just look at the end of season run in and the play-offs last season. We were out of contention just after Christmas but we went on a hell of a run, backed all the way by the best fans around. The support at Bradford on a Monday night stands out from that time, as does the play-off games at Gigg Lane against Bamber Bridge and Skelmersdale when we needed a lift and well and truly got one.

"It makes me laugh when I hear commentators on television go on about Liverpool and the The Kop being the 12th man. They haven’t got a clue what they’re talking about - we make more noise with 2,000 fans than the Scousers do with a full stadium these days.

"??FC fans are the proper 12th man, not some cliché that people put about. That is how important you lot are to us. Myself and the players know that we are only here and enjoying the FC United experience because the supporters got off their backsides, started a club and put their all into running it. We are all so proud of every single one of you and you can be sure that the loyalty you give to us is repaid in effort from every player who pulls on that red shirt.

"As we face an important time in our history - with the play-offs once again a possibility and a new ground hopefully on the horizon - we need every one of you to get down to games and continue that magnificent support. Get your mates down too, especially the ones who may have lapsed a bit in their attendance for whatever reason. Let’s get together and push this club forward as one, United in everything we do. The bigger the crowds we get, the more it helps us achieve our aims as a club so get yourself to that football ground and let’s keep on keeping on."

Remaining fixtures this season (home games in bold, at Gigg Lane, Bury, BL9 9HR). Kick off times: Saturday’s 3pm, midweek matches 7:45pm unless otherwise stated.

Saturday 28th Feb 2009 - Buxton
Sunday 8th March 2009 - Matlock Town (note Sunday, k.o. 3pm)
Saturday 14th March 2009 - Frickley Athletic
Tuesday 17th March 2009 - North Ferriby Utd
Saturday 21st March 2009 - Hednesford Town
Wednesday 25th March 2009 - Ashton United
Saturday 28th March 2009 - Marine (all ticket)
Wednesday 1st April 2009 - Ossett Town
Saturday 4th April 2009 - North Ferriby Utd, Youth United Day (U18s free)
Monday 13th April 2009 - Nantwich (Easter Monday, k.o. 3pm)
Saturday 18th April 2009 - Ilkeston
Saturday 25th April 2009 - Bradford Park Avenue