Latest news with #FCUM
Powys County Times
a day ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
FC United ready for ‘next grand phase' as breakaway club mark 20th anniversary
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. View this post on Instagram A post shared by F.C United of Manchester (@fcutdofmanc) '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: — 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.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by F.C United of Manchester (@fcutdofmanc) 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.'
Powys County Times
a day ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
FC United ready for ‘next grand phrase' as breakaway club mark 20th anniversary
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. View this post on Instagram A post shared by F.C United of Manchester (@fcutdofmanc) '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: — 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.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by F.C United of Manchester (@fcutdofmanc) 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.'
The Independent
29-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Man Utd fan group planning sit-in protest against owners during Manchester derby
Manchester United fan group The 1958 are planning a sit-in protest at next weekend's Manchester derby after they and breakaway club FC United held a joint protest against the Glazers on Saturday. The 1958 organised the biggest anti-ownership demonstration since Sir Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner when Arsenal visited Old Trafford 20 days ago, and they continued their fight seven miles away at FC United's Broadhurst Park ground on Saturday. The Glazers' takeover was the catalyst to the foundation of FCUM in 2005 and The 1958 joined them in their stand against the ownership and current situation around Manchester United as part of the first 'United United Day' in six years. The fan-owned club and protest group linked up at the Northern Premier League Premier Division match against Stockton Town – a show of solidarity that will be followed by another demonstration during next Sunday's Premier League derby at home to Manchester City. Steve Crompton, spokesman for The 1958, said: 'I think probably one of the most impactful (protests) we did was the sit-in, and we will be running another one of those against City next weekend.' The last Old Trafford sit-in was in August 2023, when thousands of fans stayed behind following a comeback win against Nottingham Forest. There will be millions of eyes on next weekend's Manchester derby, which will be United's first match since season ticket price increases were announced, including large hikes for some senior supporters. Chris Haymes of The 1958 group said: 'We're going to get people to sit in their seats. 'MUST (Manchester United Supporters Trust) did a flash survey and they reckon there's going to be about 7,000 concessions, OAP people, who are not going to renew their season tickets. 'So, they're trying to price them out of their seats, so we're going to tell you to sit in your seat, stay in your seat. That's your seat that you paid for. You probably have done for last 50 or 60 years. After that game, we're going to stay in that seat.' The pair were speaking at Broadhurst Park, where there were chants, flags and banners calling for the Glazers to leave outside the ground two hours before kick-off. Ratcliffe was also subject of some fan ire at a match that attracted a crowd of 2,357. A couple of hundred fans were joined by more inside the ground, where The 1958 and FCUM chairman Nick Boom hosted a Q&A. FCUM said The 1958 were the first fan group to formally contact them since their foundation and Boom believes they are 'fighting a worthy battle', including seeking to form a coalition of United groups. 'I think there's a point where a lot of supporters feel they're powerless,' Boom said. 'At FC United we'll argue unity is strength. We're a cooperative here at FC and it's our greatest strength. It's our people. 'But I think these guys (The 1958) who are leading with their chin at the moment, everyone's having a swing at them about what they're not doing, but they're putting themselves out there. 'That's why at FC United we looked at each other and went 'do you know what, these guys deserve some admiration for what they're doing – they're being courageous and, you know, we need to be courageous'. 'Because some of our fanbase might think 'why are we reconnecting with United, it's not our battle?' But, actually, it's a battle for football. It transcends football clubs. It's about football fans. 'We stand with these guys, and we'll get behind the charter around those sort of key pillars that we talked about, affordable football, etc.'
