FC United of Manchester: How you can sit on the same board as Eric Cantona

FC United of Manchester stadium which has a 4,900 capacity.

FC United is a fan owned club that was created in 2005 by angry United fans who were annoyed at the Glazer ownership of Manchester United. So, they decided to create their own club in which any person can become a member for just £25 a year. The club uses the one member one vote system meaning everyone has an equal say on the decisions the club makes.

The football club is a not-for-profit organisation meaning any money earned is put straight into the club, the club was created as fans wanted their club and their rules. As it states in their website “You’ll vote on big decisions, elect the Board, help shape our identity – even choose the kit. One member, one vote. No hidden power, no private owners – just football, owned by the people who care most”. This is a football club solely for the fans that looks to include everyone and give back to the greater Manchester community instead of abusing their money and power like current football club owners.

So how can you be on the board with Cantona you may be thinking?

Well in April this year Eric Cantona decided to become a member of Fc United of Manchester celebrating their “great” but “young” history. That means for just £25 a year you can sit on the same board as Cantona, and your votes means the exact same as his. The former Manchester United legend and French international even mentioned how his family are all members and encouraged current Manchester United fans to go support FC United as he disagrees with the current way the club is run by the Glazer ownership.

How are FC United of Manchester doing now?

They currently play in the Northern Premiership Division sitting in 3rd place currently. This is step of the English National League and puts them in the 7th tier of English football which is not bad for fully fan owned club that is only 20 years old. The club plays in a stadium with a capacity of 4900 and have both a men and women's teams. The club started in the Northwest Counties Football League and won three consecutive promotions they were then promoted for a fourth time in the 2015-2016 season to the National League North. Sadly in 2019 they were relegated back into the Northern Premier League which is the league they currently play in.

Why support a fan-owned club?

It is your chance to be part of something different give football back to the fans which it would be nothing without. FC United of Manchester is just one of many examples of fan owned clubs of which there is 49 within the United Kingdom. You will feel more connected with the team and connected feeling as though you do have a say in how the club is run.