FC United of Manchester were promoted last season as champions of the Northern Premier League and have become renowned for the large following at home and on the road. In the seven league games they’ve been involved in so far the average attendances in those matches have been 3401 at home and 1418 away. It will be their longest journey of the season but even with that taken into consideration, the crowd is expected to top the 1000 mark for their first ever clash between these two sides.

Here's some information on the match, along with some history about FC United of Manchester:-

Admission Prices:-
Adult - £12
Concession - £9
Under 16 - £3

Programme Cost:-
£2

Sponsors:-
Our Main Sponsors – TBC
Platinum Match Sponsors – Custom Kitchens
www.customkitchenslowestoft.co.uk
Platinum Match Sponsors – The White Horse, Corton
Ball-boys (sponsored by Greater Gabbard Offshore Winds Ltd) – Mutford & Wrentham Predators U13’s
Mascot – Jacob Eagle

Ground:-
Name - Crown Meadow
Postcode - NR32 2PA
Capacity - 3000
Seating for - 466
Car Parking: Limited on-street parking but agreement with local college 250 yards away for cars to park there.
Food & Drink: There is a fully licensed bar within the clubhouse. While in the ground there is Muriel’s Tea/Coffee Bar, Barbara’s Tea/Coffee bar at which a selection of pastries is also on offer, our burger van and our excellent chilli van that had rave reviews from travelling and home supporters last season.

Form:-
Lowestoft Town (13th) – Last five league results; LLLDD
Leading Scorer (League) – Jake Reed (4)
FC United of Manchester (14th) – Last five league results; DLWWD
Leading Scorer (League) – Luke Ashworth, Rory Fallon & Sam Madeley (2)
Lowestoft Town are on the same amount of points as their opponents (eight) but those points don’t fairly reflect the positive performances by the blues so far. What has also been impressive is that with their patched up and makeshift defence at present, they have delivered three clean sheets in their opening seven matches and have only condeded six goals, which is just one more than the best defensive record in the league. The Trawlerboys also boast an impressive home record, having lost on just two occasions in their least fourteen league matches at the Crown Meadow. The blues will be looking to keep it tight against a side that have scored three times in each of their last three matches. While hoping that their mixture of quality and experience in attack will see them continue to create chances in front of goal and chances that give the blues every opportunity to win matches.
FC United of Manchester have been free-scoring of late and are unbeaten in their last three matches with a 3-2 win at home to Brackley Town being followed by a 3-0 win away to Hednesford Town and most recently a 3-3 draw at home to Curzon Ashton. The never say die attitude that is a trait of Lowestoft Town, was evident in FC United’s last performance with them fighting back from three goals down against Curzon Ashton to score two very late goals in a six goal thriller at Broadhurst Park. This will be the longest trip of the season for the Manchester club and they will be hoping to take something from their journey having lost two of the three away games so far.

Previous Meeting:-
This is the first time the two clubs have played.

Club History:-
FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER were set up in protest to Malcolm Glazer's takeover of Manchester United' and is a statement often used to describe FC United. But while there is no doubt that FC would not have happened without the American invasion, it was the catalyst, the final straw, but not the sole reason.

The material theft of a Manchester institution, forcibly taken from the people of Manchester, was the tip of a pyramid of destruction, with changing kick off times for the benefit of television, soulless all-seater stadia full of 'new' supporters intent to sit back and watch rather than partake in the occasion, heavy handed stewarding and ridiculously priced tickets propping it all up.

By May 2005 some supporters had had enough. The failure to prevent Glazer and repeat the successful repulsion of Rupert Murdoch in 1998 resurrected a 'last resort' idea from that previous campaign and the FC United wheels were put in motion. A group of individuals determined to continue the fight formed a steering committee and FC United of Manchester was delivered.

Critics of the idea argued that if supporters were disgruntled with the Premiership then why didn't they go and support other local cash-strapped clubs instead of setting up their own? But that wouldn't have been theirs would it? It wouldn't have been United and it wouldn't have been right to takeover another club after they had just been taken over themselves. Nor could they drift off in various directions and be lost to each other and maybe football forever. They wanted to maintain the momentum of the protest, to stick together, to sing United songs, to reminisce and bring back the good bits of the good old days. They wanted Our Club, Our Rules and they got just that, a member owned democratic, not-for-profit organisation created by Manchester United fans. A club accessible to all of the Greater Manchester community, dedicated to encouraging participation of youth whether it be playing or supporting and to providing affordable football for all.

For a full and in-depth history of FC United of Manchester, please CLICK HERE

They began their 2014–15 campaign with only 12 points from their first eight matches, putting them mid-table. However, a streak of 21 games without a loss from December to April, including 16 victories, saw them with a five-point lead at the top of the table. The club also had its most successful run in the FA Trophy, eventually losing 1–0 to Torquay United in the Fourth Round. On 21st April 2015, they beat Stourbridge 1–0 to confirm their 2014–15 Northern Premier League champion’s title and promotion to the Vanarama National League North.

F.C. United are playing the 2015–16 season in their new home at Broadhurst Park and recorded their first victory in the National League North in a 3–2 home win over Brackley Town on 22nd August 2015, which was also the club's first competitive victory at Broadhurst Park.

Lowestoft Town v FC United of Manchester
Vanarama National League North
(Crown Meadow)
Saturday 5th September 2015
3pm kick-off

Come on you Trawlerboys!!

Terry Bullen