A brief word about Rob Nugent

It had to happen. For the new season the club brought out a new sponsorship offer whereby fans or groups of fans could sponsor individual items of a player’s home or away kit. So when Rob Nugent’s socks (£15), shirt (£35) and shorts (£50) had gone, you can guess what unlisted items went next.

If you can’t then they were his underpants at a mighty £30, which probably only leaves his boxers untouched and unspoken for, though who’s to tell with the FC wit.

With Big Sam’s kit booked up another enterprising supporter has sponsored his gloves. In contrast, while two women supporters have grabbed James Baguley’s shirt and socks, they have left his shorts alone.

Any fans wanting to sponsor an item of kit, help the club and have some fun should pick their player and contact sponsorship@fc-utd.uk or phone the club at 0161 273 8950 with their offer.

The sponsorship offers have been taken up well this year and only a few player sponsorships are still available. Matchball and Programme sponsorships have been booked as birthday and wedding presents by fans for their friends and relations. Some remain, so don’t delay and ensure you get your first choice fixture, and take a look at

http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/files/documents/sponsorship0809ratecard.pdf .

At the other end of the scale FC’s popular 127 Club has increased in membership once again with TM Footprints, e-reward, Scotbet, CBF Printers, Onyourbike.com, Lichfield Leather, A-Line have all signed up, plus an unholy alliance of supporters known as Of Course It’s Political/Cardboard Pyjamas.

Better news still, software house, Chauntry, has agreed to become the club’s official Youth Team sponsor and Carbro Sheet Metal is now Match Sponsor for all the Youth Team’s home fixtures.

And just to show how FC supporters are linking the club up with the community, the German supporters branch has just signed up as a community sponsor, funding three junior season tickets (including £15 travel money with each ticket) to be given to local schools. The schools will be asked to use match report writing competitions with the winners given a VIP invite to a match for them and their friends later in the season.