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Club defends FC United deal
ALTRINCHAM vice chairman Grahame Rowley claims the controversial deal that could see FC United play cup games at Moss Lane next season will only be good for the club.
The Robins have struck a deal with the breakaway Manchester United fans' club in which the Reds will play all home FA Cup and FA Trophy games at the ground during the 2008/09 campaign.
Both teams will also meet in a preseason friendly at Moss Lane on Tuesday July 22 and the two announcements have caused unrest among the club's support.
Much of the anger stems from an incident which occured at a preseason friendly between the two clubs at Moss Lane in 2006, when young Altrincham fans were attacked by a handful of FC United supporters.
There is also a worry the deal could lead to a permamnent groundshare agreement between the two clubs, but Rowley has moved quickly to allay fans' fears.
He said: "The decision was made on a purely financial basis.
"The club are looking at all areas to be able to increase our budget and this was one of them. We want to be able to compete at the highest level possible and that means generating more revenue.
"It's financially sound for the club but I can assure people that it's not leading towards a permanent groundshare.
"We have hired our ground out plenty of times since the end of the season and it's not been a problem so why should it be now.
"It may not even happen because they might be drawn away in the cup so we'll have to wait and see."
2:55pm Thursday 8th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: waldo, Sale on 12:37pm Fri 9 May 08
As a supporter of FC United, I can confirm that we like all football clubs have a small percentage of fans who are not there for the football, and in that sense I can partly understand some negative reaction to the announcement that FC will play cup games at Moss Lane next season. But let's add a little perspective shall we? First, the person who was responsible for the previous incident at Moss Lane has been banned from attending FC games. Second, I think you will find that Altrincham fans were not altogether innocent in that incident. And third, FC fans - men, women and children football fans - have endured three separate and organised attacks by 'fans' of Leeds United in the past two seasons. 100 turned up at Silsden Railway Station to provoke a fight. 50 showed up at Goole and had to be controlled by dogs. 50 turned up at Garforth and had some success in gaining entry to the ground, causing damage to the FC fans' coach. FC United carries a large following in non-league terms and the club does what it can to ensure the safety of all fans. To brand us all as hooligans is a hysterical reaction. Go and enjoy the games and if there are problems report them.
As a supporter of FC United, I can confirm that we like all football clubs have a small percentage of fans who are not there for the football, and in that sense I can partly understand some negative reaction to the announcement that FC will play cup games at Moss Lane next season. But let's add a little perspective shall we? First, the person who was responsible for the previous incident at Moss Lane has been banned from attending FC games. Second, I think you will find that Altrincham fans were not altogether innocent in that incident. And third, FC fans - men, women and children football fans - have endured three separate and organised attacks by 'fans' of Leeds United in the past two seasons. 100 turned up at Silsden Railway Station to provoke a fight. 50 showed up at Goole and had to be controlled by dogs. 50 turned up at Garforth and had some success in gaining entry to the ground, causing damage to the FC fans' coach. FC United carries a large following in non-league terms and the club does what it can to ensure the safety of all fans. To brand us all as hooligans is a hysterical reaction. Go and enjoy the games and if there are problems report them.
Posted by: GT, Alty on 6:17pm Sat 10 May 08
Point taken, however Alty fans were innocent. Colin Little put Altrincham ahead and fans celebrated. Those individuals you mention rana a full 30 yards to punch teenagers in the face.
Let bygones be bygones by all means but please make sure you don't protest too much.
Point taken, however Alty fans were innocent. Colin Little put Altrincham ahead and fans celebrated. Those individuals you mention rana a full 30 yards to punch teenagers in the face.
Let bygones be bygones by all means but please make sure you don't protest too much.
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