FORMER Manchester United youth-team skipper Josh Howard secured a league and cup double for FC United and sparked a virtual beach party at sand-strewn Tameside Stadium.
The Rebels midfielder won his side a penalty and then produced a magical solo winner 10 minutes from time after a Chris Worsley goal had threatened to upset the FC apple cart in the North West Counties League Challenge Cup final.
And that brought words of praise from his manager Karl Marginson, who said: "I was in Spain on Sunday night watching Barcelona play, and if one of their players had scored a goal like that it would have been beamed around the world time and time again.
"It was fantastic skill at any level of football, especially on such a hard, bumpy pitch, but we know Josh is a special player."
That goal was the highlight of a hard-fought game which was spoilt by a sandy pitch, but Marginson had sent his players out with a special message.
He said: "I told them that there would be 3,000 hard-done-to Reds out there, still hurting from the night before and what happened in Milan, and that they couldn't let them down.
"It's been a great season for us and it was also important to finish on a high."
It was a shame that Tameside Stadium was the only venue available, because the pitch was a shocker.
For the conspiracy theorists, it could have been the film lot when Nasa faked the moon landing in 1969.
What could have been a great final between two teams who have been the best in the North West Counties League this season turned into a battle of scuffers and scrappers, players who were prepared to wait for the breaks.
Curzon had the better of the first half chances, three times beating the linesman's flag as Steven Moore, Worsley and Mike Norton all broke clear of the defence, but could not beat FC goalkeeper Sam Ashton.
But Curzon went ahead on 67 minutes, just as FC seemed to be taking control, and it was a belter. Worsley cut in from the left wing and smashed a right-footed shot across Ashton into the far corner.
Curzon had barely had time to celebrate before the Rebels were level.
Howard went down in the box and Nicky Platt, only just back on the pitch after having stitches in a head wound, calmly slotted home the spot kick.
That set up Howard for a grand finale, and when he picked up the ball on the left, he jinked past three players before crashing the ball gleefully home.
FC UNITED pogo'd out of the North West Counties League to the strains of punk music and amid wild celebrations at Gigg Lane.
But manager Karl Marginson will tonight gather his players and warn them that there is still one more big game to play this season, the League Challenge Cup final against Curzon Ashton - who have also been promoted along with Nantwich Town - on Thursday night.
The Rebels beat Formby 5-0 to round off their league season, and with George Best's sister Barbara McNarry watching from the stands, it was appropriate that Ulsterman Rory Patterson should be the star, crashing in a hat-trick to take his tally for the season to 39.
Rhodri Giggs kicked the party off by opening the scoring and in the midst of Patterson's treble, Formby defender Chris Pauls also put through his own net.
The beer and champagne flowed after that as North West Counties League chairman Dave Tomlinson handed over the trophy, and the first team was joined on the pitch by the Reserves who have won their league in their first season and on Wednesday play Padiham in the reserves' cup final.
Marginson, who brought himself on for a swansong appearance with 20 minutes to go, was the party-pooper, reminding his players that they are back in training tonight for the all-ticket final at Tameside Stadium.
"It's been an incredible league season, and we have broken a couple of records along the way by amassing 112 points and scoring 157 goals, and that's all down to the players," said Marginson.
"I told the players in the dressing room before the game how proud I was to be associated with them, and that they have all earned the right to be here when we move up to the UniBond first division next season.
"What a day it has been - United go five points clear, we pick up the trophy and Leeds have gone down! Now we want to make it a great week with a result at AC Milan on Wednesday and us lifting the cup the following night."
As punk band Sick Nurse set the tone for the celebrations from the back of an Army truck, Tomlinson said they would be sad to see FC go.
He said "They have brought a lot of finance to the majority of our clubs."
"They have brought a high profile to the league, for which we are always grateful, and they have also shown a lot of clubs what you can do in terms of organisation - they are one of the best-organised clubs around. Because they have such a large following, they have an awful lot of people with different skills which shows in their use of information technology, their programme and their matchday organisation.
"When they first appeared, a lot of clubs had misgivings. I think a lot of them thought `Hang on, we are getting somebody here with a lot of money and there are only two promoted from the second division'.
"But we didn't get a lot of critics. Generally clubs accepted the fact that they would benefit. I wasn't sure that they would find it as easy as they have, but Karl Marginson has done a remarkable job in finding the players and getting them together as a good squad.
"They will be missed. Whether their crowds stay as high as they are, I don't know, but our clubs are grateful for what they have had, wish them all the best and hope they go from strength to strength.
"If ever they come back to us, they will be welcome."
WHAT should have been a routine victory for FC United ended in disappointment last night as the rebels let slip a three-goal lead to draw 4-4 with Trafford FC in their penultimate game of the North West Counties League season.
The Rebels were crowned champions a week ago, winning promotion to the UniBond League a year ahead of schedule, but the ease with which they lostconcentration here warrants cause for concern ahead of the League Challenge Cup final against Curzon Ashton on May 3.
Just five minutes were on the clock when Stuart Rudd opened the scoring with a penalty - the former Wigan youth player's 45th goal in 48 appearances this season.
FC wasted countless opportunities to extend their lead before Rory Patterson smashed into an empty net shortly after half-time.
That brought up FC's 150th league goal of the season and a record 36th league win in a season looked to be a formality.
Liam Ralph pulled one back for the visitors but two more goals for Patterson should have rubber stamped the three points.
Substitute Mark Fitton gave Trafford hope before John Bluck's free-kick caused tension to sweep around Gigg Lane.
With just five minutes remaining Billy McCartney completed the comeback from the penalty spot to send the pocket of Trafford supporters delirious but the FC crowd home praying this was a minor blip in an otherwise magnificent season.
KARL Marginson earned praise from one of the leading lights in FC United's formation after guiding the club to a second successive title.
Marginson has built a successful team from scratch to take the Rebels into the UniBond League a year ahead of schedule.
And FC general manager Andy Walsh says that Marginson's Manchester roots - plus his ability to attract the cream of non-league football - have been the key factor in the club's success.
"Karl is a Manchester lad and a United fan through and through," Walsh said.
"He has assembled a team and a set of coaches who understand what FC United are about, and he makes sure that every player knows that the supporters are the most important part of this football club."
The Rebels have won the North West Counties League title at a canter. They still have three league games left and can complete a double by winning the League Challenge Cup final against closest rivals Curzon Ashton on May 3.
The Rebels forged ahead after nine minutes when left winger Jerome Wright crossed for Rhodri Giggs to turn in his 11th goal of the season.
A minute later, Ian Berry smashed in a terrific equaliser from 25 yards but the FC response was emphatic.
Atherton defender Rob Hope sliced Wright's near post corner past his own keeper on 19 minutes, and just three minutes later Dave Brown hammered in a 35-yarder and make it 3-1.
After some sustained pressure, Stuart Rudd was floored in the area and Nicky Platt calmly slotted home to make it 4-1 at half time.
Defender Rob Nugent continued his goalscoring streak by knocking in the fifth after 66 minutes.
Nugent then got a little carried away with his prowess in front of goal, but when he tried to fire in number six from the edge of the box his defensive partner Dave Chadwick rose to deflect it home.
Leading scorer Stuart Rudd finished things off by smashing in his 44th of the season from close range after Nicky Platt's drive had been blocked on the line.
FC UNITED can bring the title home this week after crushing Colne 5-1.
Karl Marginson's team are now just three points short of the NWCFL Division One championship.
Defender Rob Nugent netted twice in the first half and Jerome Wright put the visitors three up by half-time in front of 838 spectators at the Holt House Stadium.
The Rebels were cruising in the second half and 41-year-old assistant player-manager Phil Power stretched their lead before striker Stuart Rudd scored his 36th league goal of the season to make it five.
FC United fans celebrated promotion in the sweetest possible way - with a victory in their own Manchester derby.
The Rebels revelled in a Bank Holiday battering of Maine Road FC, the non-league club set up 52 years ago by a group of City fans.
A crowd of 3,605 was in party mood from the kick-off at Gigg Lane and Rory Patterson, Dave Brown and Rob Nugent were all on target to keep the home fans singing.
It is only two years since the formation of FC United, but the breakaway Reds have already left their Blue counterparts behind as they head for the UniBond League.
Karl Marginson's team won promotion from the North West Counties League Division One on Saturday with victory at Ramsbottom, to claim a second step up in two seasons.
And the Reds - who are on a run of ten straight league victories - will claim a second successive title if they can win just two of their last five games. Only Curzon Ashton can pip FC United to top spot in the NWCL First Division.
And the 'Nash' also stand in the way of a possible double for the Reds, as the pair meet in the final of the Challenge Cup on May 3.
ECSTATIC FC United fans will stage a huge promotion party at today's big Gigg Lane showdown with Maine Road after the Rebels booked their ticket to the UniBond League with victory at Ramsbottom.
But manager Karl Marginson warned his players WON'T be joining in the celebrations unless they chalk up one of the three wins they now need to clinch their second successive title.
Ten-man FC fell behind to a Steve Maden strike and then had 41-goal top scorer Stuart Rudd sent off at Ramsbottom.
But they hit back to win 2-1 and seal promotion with goals from Jerome Wright and Nicky Platt.
FC United's latest milestone achievement sparked scenes of jubilation among the ranks of visiting fans in a crowd of 1,653, around 700 of whom had travelled to the game by steam train from Bury.
Hundreds more are expected to join them in celebration today, when Gigg Lane will once again be turned into a sea of red and white.
But, thrilled as he is to be on his way up once again, Marginson says he, his backroom staff and players will resist the temptation to get caught up in the party atmosphere - at least until after the final whistle.
"Winning promotion for the second year running is a fantastic achievement, but there's still a title to be won," Marginson said.
Platt's 61st-minute penalty almost brought the house down at Ramsbottom's Riverside Ground.
The goal resulted in a crowd surge that temporarily halted the game as touchline hoardings buckled.
Platt converted the spot kick after United captain Rory Patterson had been dragged down by Rams keeper Martin Campbell.
Wright had earlier equalised by beating his man and lifting the ball over the keeper.
"We still have to win three of our last six games to be champions - and we'll be looking for the first against Maine Road in what our supporters regard as the mini-derby."
FC's brave comeback win at Rammy means they can no longer be caught by second-placed Salford City.
That leaves Curzon Ashton, in fourth, as the only team with a chance of overtaking the Rebels in the run-in.
But, in spite of Marginson's warning, the NWCL First Division championship is as good as in the bag.
Meanwhile, Curzon's best hope of rocking the Rebels will come when the teams meet in the final of the NWCL's D-Zine League Challenge Cup at the Ashton-under-Lyne club's Tameside Stadium on May 3.
Steve Moore hit all their goals as they crushed semi-final opponents Flixton 4-1 to march through 7-2 on aggregate.
Facing the `Nash' in the final is an appealing prospect for Marginson, who numbers Curzon among his former clubs.
"We've had two great games with Curzon in the league this season and I'm sure the final will be just as exciting," added the Rebels manager.
FC UNITED can clinch a second successive promotion with a win at Ramsbottom on Saturday.
The Rebels moved effortlessly to within three points of the UniBond League, scoring four times in each half to rattle up a record away win and equal the club's biggest winning margin.
After months of uncertainty, the FA's leagues committee confirmed on Tuesday that the splitting of the UniBond first division into two regional divisions will take place, and that means at least three teams will be promoted from the North West Counties League.
This week's events have handed Ramsbottom a headache, as all of the 1,250 FC allocation for Saturday's game has already been snapped up.
FC general manager Andy Walsh has advised fans without a ticket not to travel on Saturday, and says that, if promotion is secured, the celebrations will be held at Easter Monday's "mini-derby" with Maine Road at Gigg Lane.
Any suggestion that FC boss Karl Marginson might ease up against struggling Nelson were dismissed as he fielded what was close to a full strength team, and they cruised into a two-goal lead within nine minutes.
Defender Rob Nugent, who headed the Rebels into their first cup final on Saturday, repeated the dose after six minutes last night, rising high to nod in Nicky Platt's free kick.
And three minutes later Rory Patterson's free kick bounced awkwardly into the goalkeeper's chest and dropped for Josh Howard to knock in his 11th goal of the season.
With shots peppering the Nelson goal, the third came on 30 minutes when Simon Carden released Rhodri Giggs and he slipped it home.
Nelson defender Chris Ridehalgh then turned Jerome Wright's cross into his own goal on 34 minutes, but Marginson made three changes at half time and for a while the deluge was stemmed.
But FC finished with a flourish, Giggs pouncing to grab a fifth on 74 minutes, Carden crashing in his second on 82 minutes, sub Stuart Rudd scored his 42nd of the season on 86 minutes and Patterson headed in the record-breaker in the last minute.