Here's the weekly round-up for each of FC's sides - including a league title for the U18s on the last day of the season. With the season now wrapped up, bar cup finals and playoffs, this will be the last full Red Round-Up of the season - but keep an eye on the website and our socials for details and results of those important remaining games!
The Red Round-Up – 1st May
Men’s First Team
The Men’s First Team finished off their league campaign with a 1-1 draw against Guiseley on Saturday at Broadhurst Park.
John Lufudu opened the scoring for the visitors in the 22nd minute, just minutes after being involved in an off-the-ball incident that left Matty Grivosti requiring treatment from the physio, but which wasn’t seen by the officials.
The visitors took the lead into the break, and after a relatively quiet opening to the second half, Michael Donohue popped up with a 66th minute equaliser. Adam Le Fondre found Jordan Buckley with a lofted ball forward, before Buckley laid it off to Donohue who ran forward into the box and slid it home.
From that point, it was all FC, with a good block from goalkeeper Cracknell keeping Le Fondre’s shot out shortly after the equaliser. The Reds had a shout for a penalty waved away as Josh Miles went down under pressure in the box with five minutes to go. FC came closest to nicking a winner deep into injury time as Charlie Munro found Le Fondre in the area, but he could only find the side netting.
After the match, manager Mark Beesley gave his thoughts on the season, thanking everyone at the club for the support he’s had since joining in September. He reflected on the big positive of achieving the key goal of avoiding relegation, but with expressed disappointment over a ‘really poor’ finish to the season.
The Reds now look forward to a trip to Italy next weekend for the Fenix Trophy finals in Iseo, Lombardia, with a semi-final against Avro on Saturday 10th May at 3.30pm (UK time)
Under 18s
FC United Under 18s are CHAMPIONS of the North Bury Junior Football League!
The season came down to a final day decider between FC and rivals Roach Dynamos, and it was Roach who drew first blood, taking the lead after four minutes. However the young Reds kept their heads and were back on level terms just four minutes later. They then turned in a dominant performance, taking a 3-1 lead into half-time, before adding a fourth ten minutes from time – the goals coming from Alfie Stott, Andrew Ndhlovu (x2) and Fola Fasehun.
Martin Morris and Mark Crilly expressed their pride in their lads, in particular their resilience and determination over the course of the season. After losing two games on the bounce shortly before Christmas, their side remained unbeaten in 2025, reeling off eight straight victories to finish the season off in style and capture the league title - even more impressive playing as an U17 side in an U18s league.
The young Reds now have the opportunity to seal a league and cup double, as they face a rematch against Roach Dynamos in the league cup final – this time at Broadhurst Park on Tuesday 13th May (8pm) and we encourage supporters to come down and cheer them on!
Men’s Development Team
The Men’s Development Team remain top of their division having completed their season but await the result of Avro’s final game of the season against Hopwood Hall College on Sunday to determine who wins the league – with a point for Avro enough for them to take the title.
If Avro are victorious, Callum Greenwood’s side will face a promotion playoff fixture in a couple of weeks against either Nantwich Town or Kidsgrove Athletic.
Academy
The Academy have finished their season in third place in the league after a final day defeat at Halifax Town on Wednesday.
Going into the final day, the Reds were still in with an outside chance of the title – needing a victory in Yorkshire, along with a defeat for leaders Chorley at Stockport County. In the end, Halifax were too strong, running out as 6-2 winners.
After a big win against Chorley last week, the Yorkshiremen may have thought the margin of victory could have been enough for them to get their hands on the trophy in dramatic fashion – however Chorley’s 6-1 win against Stockport saw the Magpies claim the championship by virtue of a two goal superior goal difference.
In the end, it was draws that proved costly – with the Reds actually losing one fewer game than both sides above them, but with six draws compared to two for both Halifax and Chorley. After winning the title last year, the Reds will be disappointed not to have followed up, but can claim a creditable third place.
COMING UP
The Men’s First Team head to the Fenix Trophy finals in Iseo, Italy looking to retain the trophy they won last year in Desenzano del Garda. For those who can't make it, our semi-final against Avro on Saturday 10th May (3.30pm) will be livestreamed on YouTube, along with the third/fourth place playoff and the final on Sunday 11th.
The Under 18s have their league cup final being played on home soil at Broadhurst Park on Tuesday 13th May (8pm)
The Men’s Development Team's promotion playoff, should they need it, will be in mid-May.