Source: Bury Times

 STUDENTS and under-18s are being encouraged to watch a crunch football match in Bury on Saturday — and it will not cost a penny.

Supporter-owned club FC United of Manchester are holding their annual Youth United Day at Gigg Lane when they entertain Worksop Town in their bid for promotion.

Hundreds of youngsters from all over Greater Manchester can enjoy a series of fun activities in the run-up to the 3pm kick-off, including dance and drama workshops, street football sessions, banner and flag-making workshops.

People can also have their faces painted, try making badges, tackle a climbing wall, and get players’ autographs.

Among the special guests will be Mad Theatre Company, North Manchester West African Drumming Circle and Drama 2 Dance.

FC United spokesman Andy Walker said: “We hope that schools and youth groups across Greater Manchester will get involved in Youth United Day to celebrate their achievements and promote what they are doing.

“We would also like for people with links to youth organisations or groups, junior football/sports clubs who would like to help or get involved in Youth United Day to contact youthunitedday@ fc-utd.co.uk or promotions@ fc-utd.co.uk”

FC United started life in July 2005 based at Gigg Lane, although construction of their own stadium in Moston is due to start later this year.

The team has been promoted three times and currently play in the Evo-Stick League Premier Division, and narrowly missed out on promotion last season after a play-off final defeat at Colwyn Bay.

Activities begin at 12.30pm at Gigg Lane and at Holy Cross College on nearby Manchester Road.

Entry to the game costs £8 for adults and £5 for over 60s.

 Source: Bury Times

 Fan-owned football club FC United of Manchester has raised £1.6m to help fund the building of a new ground that will see them move from Bury to Moston.

A community share issue was launched to pay for a new football ground and community sports facility in Moston, north Manchester.

The club currently plays at Bury FC's Gigg Lane stadium.

Reaching the £1.6m target enables the club to unlock the grant funding they need to meet the costs of the £4.6m project and enable building to start on the Moston site in the spring.

FC United general manager Andy Walsh, said: "Reaching our £1.6m target from the share issue is a fantastic achievement, especially in the current economic climate.

"We believe this is the largest amount ever raised by football supporters independently. Raising capital through community shares is a unique development in English football and has been recognised as offering a real alternative to the way football is run and financed."

FC United of Manchester has worked closely with Co-ops UK.

The share schemes are designed to enable cooperative organisations like FC United to raise finance from local communities to support expansion and development much more effectively than through traditional methods such as bank borrowing.