FC United have made their first signing of the close season. They have signed up one of the best players in the league, Stuart Rudd. Rudd has been a prolific striker playing for Skelmersdale United and last season scored 47 goals, whilst also holding the record for most goals scored in the league, 214 goals in 301 games. His signing is a huge boost to the club as they look to emulate their fantastic first season.
Who wouldve thought, less than a year of being in existence, FC United would end their season playing over in Germany. Well its what happened as FC made their first venture abroad in their very short history to play against Lokomotive Leipzig.
A crowd of 7,462 turned out at the Bruno-Plache-Stadion, with atleast 500 of those being United fans who'd made the journey.
FC took a shock early lead through a scrappy goal by dave swarbrick, which silenced the Leipzig fans and sent FC's fans into raptures. LOK came straight back though and were given the chance to level from the penalty spot after a dubious decision. A complete turnaround in the match was complete straight after when Melville failed to claim a loose ball leaving Leipzig the chance to put themselves 2-1 up. FC managed to level affairs again through a great header from Rob Nugent, but went in at half time 3-2 behind after an incicive Leipzig counter attack. A very unfortunate scoreline for FC as they had been far the better team and also had a blatant penalty claim turned down.
FC continued theyre great attacking play in the second half with Torpey absolutely running rings round the Leipzig defence, and he was denied two stone wall penalties after being felled in the box. FC did evetually get a penalty at the fourth time of asking, which Patterson duly despatched. It was party time in the FC end with 15 minutes to go as the game was turned on its head again, Simon Carden scored from close range to put United 4-3 up and look good for the win. It wasn't to be though as with very little time left on the clock poor clearances by both FC defence and keeper left Leipzig with an easy tap in to tie the game again at 4-4. A fantastic match was followed by a great evening to, as United fans and Leipzig fans sang and drunk together throughout the city to celebrate the next stage in our on going revolution of fans football
As the memories of the Legue title celabrations passed and the expectation of the trip to Leipzig rose, FC made their way to Telford A match that would see the reds play Telford United in benefit match for United fan Jamie Turner who suffered serious head injuries in an attack last season.
The first half was quite a tight affair with Telford showing why they are two divisions above FC by not allowing them to get a foothold in the game. Chances were few and far between, notablly Perrow heading wide for Telford and Chadwick almost putting the visitors ahead with a header just before half time.
The second half saw Telford up a gear and within six minutes of the restart they had took the lead as a close range effort by Turner just manged to go despite George getting a hand to it. FC were hardly in the game in this half as Telford controlled the match in midfield and created chances to go 2-0 up. Telford eventually did make it 2-0 on 79 minutes when Steve Pope slotted home a penalty. Within 2 minutes FC's challenge was over as Turner got his 2nd of the game and Telford's 3rd, finishing a low cross with a diving header in the six yard box. FC did almost get a consolation goal at the death, a looping strike from 25 yards out by substitute Will Ahern was unlucky to hit the post. 3-0 it finished though in a match that was more about helping out a fellow football fan than the scoreline.