FC United of Manchester celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, born from the frustration of Manchester United fans with the Glazer family’s ownership. Established on May 13, 2005, in the wake of the Glazer takeover, FC United emerged as a breakaway club, quickly gaining attention for its unique fan ownership model, where every member has a vote in key decisions. The club’s origins trace back to a protest over the Glazers’ leveraged buyout of Manchester United, which saddled the club with significant debt. As FC United’s co-founder Paul Hurst notes, the outcome of that purchase was largely what they had predicted: a financially unstable Manchester United.
FC United’s rise was swift. Their first match, a friendly against Leigh RMI in July 2005, drew a crowd of over 2,500. The team’s first competitive win came a month later, setting the tone for their early success. Under the management of Karl Marginson, the club quickly progressed through the leagues, winning the North West Counties Division Two title in their debut season, followed by further promotions in subsequent years. They made an impressive FA Cup debut in 2010, beating Rochdale 3-2, a highlight in the club’s short history.
In its early years, the team was made up of players with regular jobs captain Billy McCartney worked as a scaffolding supervisor and they trained at local schools. Ground-sharing with Bury, FC United faced challenges, including the financial strain of finding a permanent home. The club’s struggle to secure land for a new stadium was exacerbated by financial missteps, which nearly brought the club to its knees. However, fan investment ultimately funded the £6.3 million required to build Broadhurst Park in Moston, which opened in 2015.
Despite early successes, financial problems continued to haunt FC United. Construction delays and rising costs set back the club’s plans, and internal conflicts led to the departure of several key figures, including general manager Andy Walsh, one of the club’s founders. Tensions within the board also resulted in a series of resignations, with some claiming a toxic atmosphere had developed. This period of instability, however, did not deter the club’s supporters, who remained committed to its ideals of fan ownership and community values.
Under new leadership, FC United has maintained its unique identity as a fan-owned club. Current manager Mark Beesley has steered the club to stability, guiding them to safety in the Northern Premier League Premier Division. Despite financial setbacks and challenges on the pitch, the club’s commitment to its founding principles has remained unwavering.
One of the most significant moments in the club’s history occurred in April 2025, when football legend Eric Cantona became a member of FC United, joining alongside his family. Cantona, a former Manchester United star, expressed his dissatisfaction with the Glazer family’s stewardship of the club and praised FC United’s fan-led model. His membership highlighted the continuing relevance of FC United’s ethos and its growing influence as a club that challenges the commercialization of modern football.
Today, FC United remains a symbol of fan power and community spirit, a club built from protest that continues to thrive on its own terms. The club’s growth has been a testament to the passion and dedication of its supporters, proving that a fan-led model can succeed even in the competitive world of football. With its unique ownership structure, FC United’s story is a reminder that football can still be about more than just money and commercial interests.
