FC United ready for ‘next grand phase' as breakaway club mark 20th anniversary

Powys County Times

21 hours ago

FC United want to continue being an 'antidote' to modern football as the breakaway club celebrate their 20th anniversary and prepare for the 'next grand phase'.
The Glazer family's controversial takeover at Manchester United was the catalyst for the club's foundation on June 14, 2005, offering an affordable, inclusive and fan-owned alternative for disenfranchised supporters.
FCUM reached the National League North and built a 4,900-capacity stadium within a decade and now the goal is for the Northern Premier League Premier Division side to kick on again.
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'I think the future's bright,' chair Nick Boom told PA. 'I think we're about to enter into our next grand phase.
'I think there's been about 10 years of challenge, of moving into that ground and a realisation that the club's probably overstretched itself a bit in the clamour to get in there.
'Then we've spent a lot of time trying to kind of get the club into a position where it's financially stable, and it feels like we now have got to a position where we can kind of invest. There's loads going on.'
FCUM recently made headlines when United great Eric Cantona became a member, along with his two brothers and four children.
Eric Cantona is now a co-owner of FC United of Manchester.
Because at our club, fans aren't just supporters – they're owners.
Join Eric as a co-owner: https://t.co/nH1NI9LCzH pic.twitter.com/N0sBdsjEgn
— FC United of Manchester 🟥⬜⬛ (@FCUnitedMcr) April 5, 2025
That played a part in interest in the club going 'off the scale', as did March's joint protest at their Broadhurst Park home against the Glazers with United fan group The 1958.
'In my view, FC wasn't just created in protest alone,' Boom said. 'It was created in hope – the hope that football could do more, (be) more democratic and truly rooted in its communities.
'The Glazers coming along was a seismic event. We're not happy to say that we were right back then in terms of the Glazer takeover and what it would do to Manchester United.
'The modern game's almost drowning in money, and you could argue that it's starving in soul. FC United were built as an antidote to that.'
FCUM are now working on what the next decade looks like.
Their ambitions off the field are as important as anything they do on it, with board member Paul Hurst speaking of Broadhurst Park being 'an anchor facility' for the community.
'Whether it's the football pitches outside or the rooms inside, I think for me over the next 10 years it's about how do we use the power of football to better and help and support the local community,' he told PA.
'We're probably getting that generation of fans, of kids, who are saying 'FC United are my local team'.
'As well as something for them to do on a Saturday, it's there for them throughout the week to support them and give them something to do, plays a part in their education, health, whatever it may be.'
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Boom says, unlike some clubs, the community program is central to FCUM, who are planning for next season under the tagline 'football, fans, community'.
'We've done a lot of talking about the past and history, but the future is probably what's most important to us,' he said. 'Can we show there's a different way in football?
'We think there's an absolute place, and we're real proof after 20 years, that supporters can run football clubs.'
Hurst added: 'It's really core to our identity that we believe that the football club should be entirely owned by the fans.
'That comes with its challenges but I think that's where we are as a club that's maybe different to some of the other stories over the last 20 years.'