FC United and northerncare score a hit for Young People

The Match sponsors this Saturday are the children’s residential care providers, northerncare. northerncare were part of the original group of 127 Club members last season. This season, not only did the company join the 127, they also teamed up with FC United to offer free match attendance to all young people in care in Greater Manchester and their carers.

It was a groundbreaking agreement, and we have had enquiries about the scheme from all over the region, from football staff linked with Port Vale FC, and care managers as far away as Devon and Southwark.

The scheme has been reported on the websites of the British Association of Social Workers, the National Children’s Bureau and the North West Counties League. An article has appeared in the magazine of the National Centre for Excellence in Residential Child Care, and articles are going in Fostercare magazine and Tameside’s Teenzone magazine. We also have the backing of the Who Care Trust and A National Voice for Young People in Care and Leaving Care.

northerncare Marketing Manager, Karen O’Leary, told the FC website: "A number of our young people have attended games and already said they want to become regular match goers."??

Both club and company are keen, not only to encourage young people enjoying the big match atmosphere provided at FC United, but also to engage in other activities with the club. Hence some young people with northerncare have already attended matches as ballboys and girls.

In addition, for over 40 young people in care, the football will start early this Saturday. The morning will see them kicking off a tournament in partnership with FC United and northerncare. The 5-a-side event takes place at the JJB Soccerdome at the Trafford Centre, and involves seven teams take each other on before making the trip to watch FC United play Silsden at Gigg Lane.

The tournament follows a successful morning at Blackpool last weekend, when over 20 of the players involved in the tournament took part in two hours of coaching delivered by our Club Development Officer, John Thomason. The players, recruited from care homes across the North West, practiced a number of skills and team-play. They were hoping that the extra preparation would put them in good stead ahead of this weekend.

"There was some really good football on display at Blackpool" commented John. "With a trophy to play for on Saturday, I’m sure we’ll see a high-standard, and maybe some future stars."

The Silsden fixture is an "Under 18s Go Free"?? game so the afternoon will see them in good company. All young people attending are invited to participate in our "Sketch the Game"?? competition.

Saturday 16th September vs Silsden Kick Off 3pm Gigg Lane
Admission: Adults £7, Over 60s £5, Under 18s Free

"Sketch the Game"?? Youth Competitions
Age Categories: Under 12s and 12s to 17s.
Win a shirt signed by the whole first team squad for the Best Portrait of a player or event at the September 16th game.

Entries with age of entrant to be received by September 23rd by email to office@fc-utd.uk or posted to Youth Competitions, FC United, 221 Ducie House, 37 Ducie Street, Manchester, M1 2JW. Decisions of the competition manager are final.

Winners will be announced at the home fixture with Bacup on Saturday, September 30th and invited to the game as guests of the club to receive their signed shirt presented by a player of their choice.