Curzon Update

The board would like to thank supporters for the incredible number of messages of support the club has received giving backing to the stand taken over the change to Saturday’s kick off time.

Despite the depth of feeling expressed by supporters and, in the face of all reason Invision and the League have insisted the match goes ahead at lunchtime this Saturday, inconveniencing match-going fans and costing Curzon Ashton potential revenue.

In looking forward to the game Karl Marginson has given his backing to the stand taken by supporters:

’I fully back the calls to boycott as I think the powers that be need to see that the supporters won’t be messed around as they have been in the past for the benefit of television coverage.

If I was a fan I wouldn’t be going, as I think it’s a wrong move on the League’s part. It’s strange that the first time they move a kick off time for TV it’s when we’re involved!

As a team, however, we have obligations to play the fixture because if we didn’t the penalties imposed on the club would be very harsh.

We’re therefore going to treat the game as a big test and wake up call for our players. Some of them have never played at this level without your backing, so it will build their character and improve them as people. It will also make some of them remember how lucky they are to have you lot backing them the way you do and I think that it will make for a very good exercise in putting things in perspective and appreciating what we have.

We really do appreciate your support, but also fully understand the decision to call a boycott.’

Instead of looking for a solution Invision have instead now claimed that their staff face possible threats to their safety.

The League have asked FC United to put out a message to supporters that threats against Invision staff are unacceptable.

Invision have not supplied any evidence of potential threats or any indication that ’threats’ have come from anyone to do with FC United but as the League is obviously concerned FC United is happy to state that threats to the safety of anyone are unacceptable.

FC United is a democratic club and as such we respect those who do not share our view of the world. All supporters are free to make up their own mind as to whether they support the call to attend the reserves match at Abbey Hey.

The club is aware that there has been some talk of a protest at Curzon’s ground with banners and leafleting etc but we would respectfully suggest that the best possible protest and the best way to register any opposition to the decision to change the kick off time is to stay away from Curzon Ashton’s ground on December 29th altogether and attend the reserve fixture at 2pm instead.

Saturday 29/12/07, kick off @ 2.00pm.

FC United Reserves v Club AZ at the Abbey Stadium, Goredale Avenue, Gorton, Manchester M18 7HD.

Directions:

From South - approach: leave M60 Jct 24 (Denton). Take A57 towards Manchester City Centre. After 1 1/4 miles turn left into Woodland Avenue and right into Ryder Brow Road, pass under railway bridge and turn first left into Goredale Avenue.

From Manchester City Centre - take A57 (Hyde Road) 1 mile past Belle Vue junction (Showcase Cinema) turn right into Woodland Avenue and right again into Ryder Brow Road, pass under railway bridge and take the first left into Goredale Avenue.

Parking is extremely limited at the ground and supporters should take care when parking so as not to inconvenience local residents.