FC United of Manchester have appointed Karl Marginson as their first manager.
The 34-year-old former Rotherham and Macclesfield striker was revealed at a press conference held at a central Manchester hotel this morning. He has been recruited because of his extensive experience of the local semi-professional scene. Spokesman Jules Spencer said: "Karl was the outstanding candidate. We consulted with AFC Wimbledon who said we needed someone who knows the game at that level. He fitted the criteria."
Marginson is a lifelong Manchester United fan and is totally behind the concept of FC United, formed by Red Devils supporters disillusioned with Malcolm Glazer's takeover of the Old Trafford club.
"It is incredibly exciting to be involved at the birth of a project such as this," said Marginson.
"As a kid I used to play on the pitch used by Newton Heath 100 years ago, so I had no hesitation in accepting when I was offered the job."
In just 24 hours, FC United have already been contacted by 260 potential players who will turn out at Sunday's trial, with Marginson keen to get a squad in place for pre-season training within a week. Anyone wishing to register to take part in the trials must do so by Thursday afternoon
Discussions over sponsorship are also ongoing, while an EGM on July 5 will determine the club's board.
"We have had 15 people working on this project night and day for the past fortnight," said Andy Walsh, a fierce opponent of Glazer and a member of the FC United steering committee.
"Even at this stage, we are taking a massive leap into the unknown. But I think everyone is aware how serious we are.
"This is not just a reaction to Malcolm Glazer, it is about taking a stand for the vast number of ordinary fans who have been priced out of the game in recent years."
Said Spencer: "We are about building a community club owned by its members, to provide a home for disenfranchised Manchester United supporters and extending into the Manchester community as a whole."
FC United will learn their first league opponents early next month, although it is widely expected they will face Leek CSOB when their North West Counties Division Two campaign gets underway on August 13.
Before that, they will tackle Leigh RMI in their first friendly at Hilton Park on July 16, with AFC Wimbledon providing the opposition a week later.
The club have also announced they will play in red, white and black.