Press statement again:
The Steering group set up to lay the foundations of the new fotball club
for disenfranchised manchester United supporters today announces the name of that club as voted by it’s founder members.A spokesman said:
"Over the last few days those who have pledged money and help to the new club have been voting on a range of names. The name of the club, as decreed via a democratic vote is 'Football Club United of Manchester.
"The number of people who have pledged support for Football Club United of Manchester is already in excess of 2600 and is growing daily.
"The club will now apply to a league for admittance for season 2005/06. The steering group will be presenting its case, which includes a comprehensive business plan and full structure of the club, to officials from Moore & Co Solicitors North West Counties Football League on Wednesday ahead of the league's AGM this weekend.
"The venture is quickly gathering momentum as will become more and more evident to our supporters. We will be announcing further developments in the coming days. We are optimistic of a successful outcome"
The M.E.N.
Jules Spencer, former chairman of the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association (IMUSA) and now a member of the steering group, revealed that 2,600 people had pledged anywhere between £20 and the full price of their Old Trafford season tickets.
"We were hoping for those kind of numbers, but have been pleasantly surprised," says Spencer.
"Some of those who have pledged will follow both Manchestrer United and FC United, which won't be difficult, with hardly any matches at Old Trafford kicking off at three o'clock on a Saturday these days.
"But there is also a significant number who have thrown their lot in entirely with FC United, and we expect the whole thing to gather momentum over the next few days."
The numbers have caused some concern in non-league circles with worries that North West Counties League clubs might struggle to cope with large numbers of visiting fans.
But Spencer says: "We have two ground-share agreements in place, and both stadiums can cope with those kind of numbers. As for away games, the image of roped-off pitches is not accurate, and the league has told us it could cope with those kind of numbers."
Ed. BTW Jules Spencer put in a storming performance on Talksport last night in the face of some general f***wittery and ignorance.