F.C. United of Manchester

Formation

The club was founded in 2005 by disaffected supporters of Manchester United. Although there were varying reasons for their dissatisfaction, the catalyst for F.C. United's formation was the 12 May 2005 takeover of Manchester United by American businessman Malcolm Glazer. Supporters first considered forming a breakaway club in 1998 during an attempted takeover of Manchester United by BSkyB. The creation of F.C. United in the event of a Glazer buyout was first proposed in February 2005 by Manchester United fanzine Red Issue. Public meetings for fans were held on 19 May 2005 at the Central Methodist Hall in Manchester's Northern Quarter and on 30 May at the Apollo Theatre. Subsequently, a steering group was created to set up the new club. After the name "F.C. United" was rejected by The Football Association for being too generic, those who had pledged money to the club were asked to vote on a name. On 14 June 2005, it was announced that "F.C. United of Manchester" had been chosen, beating "A.F.C. Manchester 1878", "Manchester Central", and "Newton Heath United", and F.C. United were officially registered with the Manchester County Football Association on the same day. Karl Marginson was appointed as the club's manager on 22 June, and the club held trials for players four days later. Around 900 players applied to take part in the trials, of whom 200 were chosen to take part and 17 selected to play for F.C. United. Jonathan Mitten, great-nephew of Manchester…

Upon its formation, F.C. United appointed Karl Marginson as its manager. He led the team to four promotions, three league titles, two league cups and a county cup. He left the club by mutual consent in October 2017 after a poor start to the 2017–18 season. He was replaced by forward Tom Greaves who took on the role of a caretaker player-manager, a decision that was made permanent on 21 November 2017. Greaves resigned in August 2018 and was replaced by Dave Chadwick as Caretaker Manager. Neil Reynolds was then appointed manager on 18 October 2018, a role he held until 11 September 2024, when he was relieved of his position after a poor start to the 2024–25 season. He was replaced by former Warrington Town manager Mark Beesley.

List of managers

Information correct after match played on 12 March 2022. Only competitive matches are counted.

Key Names of caretaker managers are supplied where known, and the names of caretaker managers are highlighted in italics and marked with an asterisk (*). Names of player-managers are supplied where known, and are marked with a double-dagger (‡).

Current coaching staff

F.C. United have won three league titles, two league cups and two county cups in their history.

Northern Premier League Premier Division Champions 2014–15 Play-off runners-up 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13 Northern Premier League Division One North Runners-up 2007–08 Play-off winners 2007–08 Northern Premier League President's Cup Winners 2007–08 North West Counties League Division One Champions 2006–07 North West Counties League Division Two Champions 2005–06 North West Counties League Challenge Cup Winners 2006–07 Fenix Trophy Winners 2021–22, 2023–24 Manchester Premier Cup Winners 2016–17, 2017–18 Supporters Direct Cup Winners 2006 Brian Lomax Trophy Winners 2021