FC United of Manchester have launched a fan fundraiser to make urgent repairs to the pitch at Broadhurst Park.
The pitch at Broadhurst Park has suffered with drainage issues for many years, causing difficult playing conditions and the postponement of their recent home fixtures against Stockton Town and Cockfosters.
The fundraiser would allow for a grant from The Football Foundation, as part of the Premier League Stadium Fund, which promised the club £130,000 if they provided £40,000 of their own money which they are on course to do
For long-time supporter and volunteer Bob Shawcross, who has followed the club since the first game and now volunteers at the club three days a week, the campaign demonstrates the unique relationship between the club and supporters.
“The fans knew that it’s their club, it’s our club, it belongs to us all,” he said.
That feeling of collective ownership has been a key part of the response, with fans significantly supporting the fundraiser.
The club have raised £37,600 to date by dividing their pitch into 400 squares and allowing supporters to purchase squares ranging between £25 and £500.
FC United of Manchester is 100 per cent fan-owned club which was founded in 2005 by Manchester United supporters who opposed Malcolm Glazer’s takeover of the club.
It is a uniquely democratic club with everybody involved getting one vote each; from board members to season ticket holders and staff.
However, this has been praised as a unique way by many to run a competitive club and is often seen as a positive antithesis of the way modern football has become in recent years.
The nature of the club being fan-owned does however comes with restraints because the club must rely on the supporters for financial backing more than most clubs.
This has been seen throughout the clubs 21-year history with the most notable investment coming when £2 million was raised through a community share scheme to build the stadium at Broadhurst Park, which was opened in 2015.
@aydingorgun1 Why are some Football pitches more prone to flooding than others? #football#soccer#field#drainage♬ original sound – Aydin Gorgun
Quays Sports – Aydin Gorgun