Mavericks or Mercenaries

So FC United have taken the TV money. Sell-outs? Hypocrites? Not in my eyes but it’s easy to see why people looking in might suggest it all looks a bit pot kettle black.

3,200 tickets sold as of this afternoon would suggest supporters aren’t too fussed about playing on a Friday night, although it is in Rochdale which is a 15 mins train ride from Victoria. Maybe if it was Brighton away it might have been different, but then again maybe not.

Rochdale took the step of cutting the price of a ticket in half when it was decided the game would be shown on ESPN on Friday night. Twelve notes for a ticket, 15 on travel and some for the chippies. All in all it’s going to be a decent return on a Friday night out.

This is affordable football for fans of football. No one at the Barrow game will forget the moment Roca poked the ball home. Everyone went ballistic at a goal that saw a team progress into the first round of the FA cup following four qualifiers and all for less than a tenner.

Quite a turn around for a group of fans used to not taking interest in the FA cup until the new year and that’s if they choose to enter it in the first place.

FA competitions take on a completely different meaning at lower league level. They offer teams exposure, giant killing opportunities/potential for embarrassing exits and prize money that can turn a club around.

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Hailing from Glossop, I went to a few of the games on route to the 2008 FA Vase final. Wembley was a decent day out but it was the second leg of the semi at Surrey Street that was the highlight of the run.

A 123^rd minute equaliser in front of some vociferous home support sent the tie to penalties, which saw a teenage ‘keeper make the winning save and send the town down to the Big Smoke - a trip made by 6,000 Glossopians.

The club made a few baht from the journey and got shot of the bobbly old pitch and replaced it with a flat new one. Since then the old sheds have been torn down to make way for terraces that would allow the Hillmen to move up a division - the only major hurdle is getting enough points to seal a promotion.

While there will never be a return to the top tier of English football - Glossop played in it for one season in the early 20^th century and got beat 9-2 by Chelsea along the way - for one of the oldest teams in the country, at least a legacy from the cup run is being created.

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FC on the other hand are writing their history as they go along. By taking the TV money they are doing what is best for the club by accepting a handsome cheque that will buy a fair few bricks to go into the new ground at Newton Heath. Not mercenaries, just good business.

Five years ago no one could have predicted what would happen to the club as it was borne out of disillusionment with the Glazer ownership. Since then some choose to buy a new United shirt and wear a green-and-gold scarf to OT like as if its a fashion statement.

There are plenty who ‘get it’ as was shown by the protest before the Spurs game last Saturday and it would not be surprising if a fair few involved in that march are not in Rochdale on Friday. People who support FC still follow ‘big’ United, there's just a few issues that need sorting out concerning the ownership.

An easy counter-argument to that is to point out the clubs record under the Glazers: three league titles in a row, a champions league trophy and a few others to boot.

Counter this with a massive hike in ticket prices and the club being saddled with hundreds of million pounds of debt.

It’s a contentious issue and I’ve met loads of United fans who say anyone going to FC is a deserter and should remain loyal no matter what.

From a personal point of view I want to see United win trophies but refuse to pay the prices. FC offer an alternative, offer brilliant value for money - and they play at 3pm on Saturdays.

Most of the time anyway.

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Whether FC fans are particularly interested in the politics of the club or not, the crowd who turn up to watch get behind the side, stand up for ninety minutes and sing - anti-Glazer, old favourites and new FC songs - all the way through, making for a proper atmosphere the like of which is apparently hard to come by at OT these days.

So given a choice of 40 pound all in for Friday or 40 to contribute a nominal amount towards Rooney's wages, sit down at OT on a Saturday/Sunday and hope for a ticket in one of the noisier parts of the ground, I’ll take Spotland every time.

The Soul is One.

Wayne Rooney's Diary*

* DISCLAIMER. this is entirely fictitious. although if you do sure me Wayne it might be good for my career and I have no money anyway so do your worst.

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Last week was quite a tumultuous one for Wayne Rooney. From Man United player to City's next big money signing to the highest paid footballer in the history of the club. Everyone would like a penny for his thoughts.

Imagine my surprise therefore when I found a small book with Wayne's World written on the front surrounded by lots of Panini stickers of Duncan Ferguson, Neville Southall, Tony Cottee and Everton shinies.

After an arduous and painful translation process, I've written it up the best I can.**

**Dear the Times, Guardian and BBC (and the NOTW), I own all the copyrights so you can either:

a. give me a job
b. give me some of Murdoch's money

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Sunday 17th October.

Dear diary lar. Who are theese monkees playing with me at the moment. We drew twos each with the Baggees at home on Sattyday after taking a 2-0 leed. I came on for the last twenty mins but I'm playin as bad as Rios world cup wind ups. I've merked meself diary lar!

Then citee beat Blackpool today and got three points. I spoke to me lar Caritos and he said Mancinee is always lookin out for a strirker. Apparently citee have got loads of monee as well. I'm still paying direct debit on the ten thousand vuvuzelees I shipped backed from South Africa. Me agent said I'd make millions but they've been banned isn't they. He merked me diary lar!

Monday 18th October.


Not much to report today diary lar. I did some footee at Carryton and had a good laugh with the boys. Rio  is such a joker, he knelt down behind Paddee Evra and when Giggsee pushed him he fell right on his jacksee. Paddee didn't like it and said I should never play for the club again which I thought wasn't very nice. I love me team mates diary lar! They're all really really good.

I went back to train but my bad ankle that has been slightly injured although it hasn't stopped me from playing but has not been 110 per cent right but I think it's ok sort of went really bad and so I went to the doctees and now I can't play footee so I'll just practice Guitar Hero on me PS3.

Tuesday 19th October.

Mr Fergiee has merked me diary lar! Tonight he said I didn't want to play for the red ones anymore and wanted to leave Manchestee. I never want to leave this citee, I am a big fan of Corriee and it's near the back streets in Livvypool where I used to play footee. I'd still play footee for nothing me.

I tried to ring Rio to find out what's been going on but he didn't answer and I don't like to leave a message cos of his answer machine. He never gets his messages anyway and always ends up missing stuff.

So I hung up and asked Colleen why she never talks to mee after those photies with big words and that pretty girl on those bits of paper.

She told me the pretty lady had merked me diary lar.

I said she did something but it didn't feel like one of Rios merks.

Colleen said not to speak to her for a bit.

Wednesday 20th October.


Dear diary lar. Paulee rang me moby earlier saying ee ad a plan to pay me back for his advice on the vuvezelees. I said me and Kai had built a big climbing frame out of them so it was ok now but ee said i'm not being given enough pennies to play footee and Mr Glazee can't buy more people for me to kick the ball to.

So Paulee told me what to say and then wrote it down on a bit of paper - he said he had to do the words because I only know the vowels. He said not to worree and said my best interests were at the forefront of his mind at all times. I asked what I had said but all he would tell me is is ee wants me to be happy.

I went and played on FIFA on me PS3 with the team of Wayne Roonees i've made. My formation looks like this:

                                               Rooney

                  Rooney        Rooney        Rooney       Rooney

                  Rooney      Stevie Gee      Rooney       Rooney

                                        Kai             Wazza

I've played three seasons and we've won 23 trophees. I want to play for a team that wins trophees. But tonight diary lar I was playing against Real and that cheekee monkee Ronaldo scored in the last min of the big trophee at Wemblee. The little winker merked me again diary lar!

Thursday 21st October.


Dear diary lar. Paulee was gone all day and every time I rang his mobee it went straight to his message which I don't like either. It's that song by some old band of Swedes - Monee Monee Monee - and I only like the stereophonics so I hung up and played a game of Risk with Kai but he was rubbish and I merked him in every battle diary lar!

Friday 22nd October.

Dear diary lar. Lots of bigger boys came round to play hide and seek at me big house last night but Colleen said I couldn't go out to play. Ever again.

Then Paulee rang and said i've changed my mind because they gave him I mean me enough pennies to play football so i'm staying with the red ones and not going to the blue ones. I like red, I always bets on it in the casino where I ALLEGEDLY met some young ladies who were nice to me.

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The Soul is One

Follow follow follow

FC United of Manchester head to Rochdale in the first round of the FA cup in a tie that will take place over the weekend of November 6-7 after defeating Barrow AFC in front of a crowd of 3229 today.

Carlos Roca scored the decider in a deserved 1-0 win over the Bluebirds, who play two divisions higher than FC in the Blue Square premier.

Watch the goal here or watch the highlights here.

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Now the jubilation of securing a place amongst the league one and two sides has subsided slightly, I can't help but wonder what the plan of action will be if FC are selected by ITV as one of the live games.

If they are chosen then general manager Andy Walsh has a big decision to make.

Part of the FC ethos is that they play at 3pm on a Saturday. One of the the chants starts "we don't play Glazer to work for Sky".

But with the position FC are in financially - as one of the lower earners in the Evostik Premier due to the payments to Bury for renting their ground and all the focus being on generating revenue for a move to Ten Acres Lane - turning down a big pay day from a broadcaster would not be the wise move financially.

A decision to take whatever they can get would bring the ground at Newton Heath one step closer yet there is the danger that a precedent is set - resulting a dilemma for the general manager.

It might never happen and ITV might decide to show one of the other fixtures.

If it does come about and, to be honest, if Chiles and his merry band of pundits aren't sent to Spotland I would be very surprised - then I think the fans would appreciate the necessity of capitalising on a fantastic cup run and all of the added exposure that a live televised game would provide.

So it might mean a slight change in club policy, but then United said they'd never pay anyone over 100k a week...

The Soul is One.

Que sera sera...

FC United head into their 4th qualifying round FA Cup tie against Barrow AFC on Sunday knowing a win will secure a tie in the first round proper of the competition for the first time in their brief history.

They're already in the draw for the arrival of teams from leagues one and two after the fixture was put back to this Sunday due to the unavailability of their temporary home - Gigg Lane - where Bury are playing the day before.

Take a look through the teams currently playing in league one and two and you can get carried away at the thought of making the first round. An away day at Wednesday or Oldham could await.

A trip to OT in the 3rd round? That would get SAF going.

An away tie against a 'big' club would mean more money for the club to go towards the new ground that needs to be built for FC to progress. The rent at Bury puts a tight grip on finances and as far as the future is concerned, a ground at Newton Heath is the grand plan.

Andy Walsh was quoted as saying FC's own ground will come before a move up the divisions and with the rule that half the gate goes to each club, a tie against a league side with a big ground would provide a more than welcome pay day.

Hopefully a big name will come out on Sunday  to give the fans and players an added incentive before the game, followed by a Ben Deegan hat-trick...

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FC look good at the moment, having scored 14 times in their last three games and should go into the fixture full of confidence.

Recent results included a seven goal thriller on Teesside against Norton & Stockton Ancients in the last qualifying round, which featured almost as many pitch invasions as it did goals.

A five-nothing drubbing of Evostik North high-fliers  Newcastle Town followed last weekend.

Barrow provide a sterner test and will be favourites to progress as they play two leagues higher in the Blue Square Premier. A look at the table suggests a giant-killing could be on the cards however, as Barrow sit third bottom with no wins on the road in the league this season.

FC manager Karl Marginson knows all about his sides' opponents thanks to the three seasons he spent with the Bluebirds and expects them to bring plenty of support on Sunday.

The FC faithful will be in full voice - que sera sera is sure to be ringing out - and hopefully some flares will be going off in the MRE as well.

FC United of Manchester v Barrow AFC kicks off at 3pm at Gigg Lane this Sunday.

The Soul is One.

Jobs for the boy

I think we've all jumped to conclusions about are Wayne.

First SAF gave his 'I'm not angry I'm just deeply, deeply disappointed' spiel.

Then, Wayne released this statement earlier today, saying he'd had enough.

How he can say the most successful English club of the past twenty years lacks ambition is astounding and smacks of an unconvincing excuse. He's taking the only root that could save him from the ire of the fans: blame it on the Glazers. Or the people who look after him are anyway.

Tapping into fans' antipathy towards United's owners in one thing, selling them a story about why you're leaving is another. As one banner at (an empty looking) OT read tonight: "Coleen forgave you Wayne. We won't."

That said, no one seems to have considered the possibility Rooney has had enough altogether. Maybe he's ready to walk away from the game entirely and play FIFA for a living.

Perhaps the next contract he'll sign will be on a house he intends to renovate and sell on for a profit?

If I was Wayne's career adviser - and i'm as qualified as anyone - these are the options I'd tell him to consider:

X Factor. My 'source at OT' tells me Wayne is quite the vocalist and is a big fan of the talent show. Cheryl Cole has previous with one of England's other model footballers so may well take a shine to our man from Merseyside. Simon Cowell knows a cash-cow when he sees one and would be sure to sign him up.

The Soul is One predicts an album including the future chart-topping hits Money for Nothing, Gold Digger and Laid.

The Apprentice. Once his pop career goes to the dogs Wayne would almost certainly appeal to the Lord. With ex-Brum chairlady Karen Brady having replaced the lovely Anne he would have an ally in the boardroom. To get Wayne on side Karen would just have to provide him with detailed plans on where she sees their future going together.

Rooney would surely excel in the competition, with recent events demonstrating his business nous. He's got the basics down to a T - you take the option that gets you the most money.

Marriage counsellor. There must be thousands of men out there contemplating where to spend the night after coming home to find the locks changed, shredded clothes in bin bags and facing the prospect of having to their own ironing after being caught with their trousers down,- who would pay good money to know how Wayne manages to get away with it.

He could start with the England players - that would keep him going for the first couple of months - before moving on to Joe Public.

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So good luck to you Wayne son, you leave with my blessing and I wish you every luck in your future career.

Just don't go to City.

The Soul is One.

So much for paper talk

Remember the name, Wayne Rooney and with those immortal words Clive Tyldesley announced the arrival of the England's brightest prospect some seven years ago.

Hailed by his then manager as the last of the street footballers and revered by fans for his whole-hearted approach to the game,  a meteoric rise to one of the pantheons of English football, Old Trafford, quickly followed a dream debut in an international tournament.

Another dream debut followed and trophies were not far behind as the best footballer from the land nurtured his early promise over the intervening years to become one of the most complete footballers in the world.

Last season Rooney enjoyed the most productive season of his career as he moved out of the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo following his move to Real Madrid, becoming the heart and soul of a side combining the old heads of Giggs, Scholes and Van Der Sar - who just seemed to get better with age - with Fergie's latest crop of bright young things.

For times last season it was easy to forget the loss of Ronaldo to Spain. Even the noise emanating from the 'noisy neighbours' was reduced to a distant hum thanks to results on the pitch and serene progress in Europe.

Rooney's form and United's seemed to go hand-in-hand, he was playing at a higher level than ever before and the team were winning football matches.

England even had a chance of winning the World Cup while Wayne was scoring for fun.

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A year later and the picture could not look any more different.

Five draws from their opening games, a leaky defence and an out of sorts and out of form Rooney has cast a gloomy outlook over the opening exchanges.

Today, all of the recent speculation regarding Rooney came to a head during one of the most remarkable press conferences ever given by SAF.

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To pinpoint a date on where the downward slide began is difficult but the injury Rooney suffered while at the peak of his powers after being rushed back to play in United's exit from Europe at the hands of Bayern following a beautiful Arjen Robben volley is as good a date as any to start.

Since that day nothing, it would appear, has gone right for the lad from the back streets of Croxteth.

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Chelsea won the league last season after going on a scoring spree that carried on into this term, with United 'only' able to look back on a successful Carling Cup campaign.

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Then the World Cup happened.

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Rooney looked distant at the World Cup, a player whose touch had deserted him on the biggest stage available to a professional. It should have been his chance to shine. Instead, he and the rest of the England team left South Africa and the vuvuzela behind after being humbled at the feet of an exciting, young Germany side.

On his return, things did not improve for the striker on or off the field. It was not the first time the tabloids had revealed allegations about his private life but you couldn't help but think the shadow of the details had hung over Rooney whilst on duty in South Africa and continued to effect him now.

His form has not improved and with one goal in open play for club and country since March, Rooney has started to cut a frustrated figure.

He has been through goal droughts before in the past but this time it was different.

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Last week, Rooney told a newspaper he had been 100% fit all season, which seemed to directly contradict what SAF had said. Players have dared to believe they were bigger that SAF before - Keane, Beckham, Van nistelrooy, Stam - and all have been shown the door.

Now it looks as though Rooney will be added to that list but in circumstances that have potentially wider reaching consequences than any of the players that have left before him.

If he is leaving because United have not offered enough money then United fans will be as disappointed as SAF. As a football fan, you love having players like him in your team.

However, he wouldn't be the first to seek a big pay day in a short career, although why he would trade playing for one of the most prestigious clubs in the world with unrivalled facilities and brilliant (away) fans for somewhere else is hard to swallow.

It was only earlier this year Rooney seemed to be making all the right noises, saying he wanted to stay with the club for his entire career. Now, SAF has confirmed paper talk doesn't always only come in use as wrapping for fish and chips.

Apparently there were no quotes saying he was leaving. Well, now you have your quote.

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United now face the prospect of losing their best player to their neighbours, with the noise next door having risen from a distant hum to a clear and present clanging.

After all, the league table doesn't lie.