It's nearly upon us!

We've been putting posters around Didsbury, Chorlton, Heaton Mersey and Edgeley and probably a few other places promoting tuesday night's game. I've also been getting on a few City message boards giving the game a plug. Independently, 'norfstander' has given the game a great mention on the BLUE HEAVEN site( http://blueheaven.forumup.org/index.php ... blueheaven ) and on his own blog. I say 'Independently', but, of course, he could be one of you guys, or a least well known to us. Certainly, the language and photo in the blog suggest he is regular. Give it a look and if you are reading this 'norfstander', expose yourself!...ooo ..er!

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MAINE ROAD F.C.
South Manchester's Premier Club

That 'norfstander' post has just been moved off the 'City Chat' section and into the 'Questions, Suggestions and Ideas' section, which I think is a shame and I don't understand!?

Still have a look at it and mine which is still there lower down the 'City Chat' section under 'Maine Road'. It would be good if you could register, post on both threads and keep it high profile.

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MAINE ROAD F.C.
South Manchester's Premier Club

my mates just put it on the bluemoon webite forum will be interesting to see te response will keep yu all informed

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you bring the dream, and i will bring the team

Moving some stuff that has been posted on the 'Wikipedia' thread onto here, because it more obviously belongs here!:-

DML said:-

"What are we going to do with regards to fans getting in. we only have 2 turnstyles. my mate is a big bod at FC and he says that they are going to bring a lot of support"
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stech:- Post subject: Re: Road's Wikipedia pagePosted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 9:29 pm


Just a guess, but i imagine the gates on both sides could also be used if needed (the players entrance next to the clubhouse, and the gate at the far end of the concrete wall behind the goal) in effect meaning four turnstiles.
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DJM 68 says:-
As 'Stech' mentions (and I think alot of people forget), there are actually three turnstiles/ entrances in the normal place. When we are not busy, it is easy to drift through and think there is only one. We should cope. We are expecting a minimum of 300. 400 would be good and anything over = a real bonus!

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MAINE ROAD F.C.
South Manchester's Premier Club

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MAINE ROAD F.C.
South Manchester's Premier Club

You'll need 2 of the turnstiles for my lot!!!At least 10 of us (big family).That doesnt include their other halves/children if they're going.We will out-shout FC.United easily.I know this for sure cos the missus is also coming!!!!

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What!! You need a player? Hang on I'll get my boots!!!

oh the embarrasment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

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you bring the dream, and i will bring the team

Careful Ste ......... I can do a lot worse than that!!!!

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What!! You need a player? Hang on I'll get my boots!!!

looks liketere will be a few city fans down tomorrow according to the bluemoon forum looks good alot of banter

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you bring the dream, and i will bring the team

Won 2-1 (i think). Couldn't make out the alleged second goal, but i assume the first rebound from the saved pen crossed the line?

FC looked well on top for the first 25, played some really good stuff and took the lead with a good goal after work down their right, not sure who got it, then Road played very well until the break, Chapple getting the equaliser. Second half was pretty disjointed, United looking the better side but only creating a couple of clear-cut chances, and Road defending stoutly. Didn't see too much of the foul for the pen, but Chapple had his kick saved, then someone played the ball back in, looked like the 'keeper saved it to me (admittedly from a fair distance away), someone smashed it over the bar, then FC were kicking off. Sorry details are a bit sparse.

Team, i think (i may be wrong, didn't hear the sides, caught a brief glimpse of a teamsheet but i'm not the best with names!) in what to me looked like a 4-5-1 - Jones, Cheetham, McGregor, Gresty, Jay, Brocklehurst, Moran, Chapple, Self, Hall, Rothel. Not sure about the subs, Dave will probably have a better idea. Lots of changes for both sides in the second half, Lee McGregor moved to right-back, where i think he looked more comfortable naturally, Matt (Struminskiy?) seemed to come on at centre-back for Gresty, Sam Haggis & Steve Hibbert (was it?) also made appearances. I think we changed keeper and a lad called 'Jase/Jason' came on at right-back.

Bit hard to say with any real authority, couldn't recognise a few due to a combination of new signings, haircuts and a pint or four pre-game, but the lad Gresty at centre-half looks useful, and the new(?) lad in midfield (Eddie Moran) played quite well. Greg put himself about a fair bit but didn't have too much support, understandable i suppose in Luke's absence. Good win.

I'd guess there were about 250-300 there.

Tired and emotional after a very long day, so this will be a relatively brief post! I have posted the following on the main board which addresses the question of our winning goal, but doesn't answer it:-

Being on turnstile duty, I saw little of the game, but got released from duties just after Road's winning controversial goal. Those behind the goal, largely red, but some Blue, were adamant the ball didn't cross the line. My lad got some video on his camera which seems to confirm that view, but then we talked to people (both red and blue) who looked at it side-on and said it clearly crossed the line! I'm in the pleasant position of having no idea! Maybe we put the posts up cock-eyed on Sunday morning or our groundsman has done a crooked goal-line!

Crowd-wise Stech, I'm pleased to say that after counting the cash and then adjusting for concessions, under-16's being free, a number of guests and then a very crude head-count, that the minimum attendance was 375 and it could have been just over 400.

Well done to all who did so much to get the ground looking so good for our opening Brantingham Road fixture, well done to the players/management for the team looking sharp and getting a win and well done to FC United for both agreeing to play us and for coming down in numbers to give our coffers a healthy boost....much appreciated!

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MAINE ROAD F.C.
South Manchester's Premier Club

I know we shouldnt get carried away, but if last nights game was anything to go by then the forthcoming season holds no fear for us.Granted they only had about 4 or 5 first teamers, but anybody who is representing FC.United will undoubtedly be a decent player, and on that basis, we did really well.Assuming the starting eleven was our first team(maybe 1 or 2 changes) then I for one was greatly impressed. If they consistantly perform to this standard I believe a top 5 finish is easily within our grasp.I also think that our substitutions didnt weaken us which again is a good sign.Its been quite a while since I havent had to worry when one of the starting eleven has been replaced.Dont want to seem as though I'm putting pressure on the lads,but COME ON YOU ROAD!!!!!Roll on Saturday.

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What!! You need a player? Hang on I'll get my boots!!!

Very promising. Any chance of a player by player breakdown, how they all performed and all that? I couldn't get down to the game last night. Looking forward to Saturday now though!

well what a great game that was........... thougt we were very good at times and like u say dad touch wood we can go into the season playing the same way. althoiugh they were not at full strength it was still a great occasion and great result which i must say that we deserved. thought gresty was good at centre half with aj who never lets us down looks like we have a settled back four now if i stay there which it looks like. eddie moran looked more than capable in the midfield and neil does what he does best ran round all game heads anything in site and a good finish for the 1st goal. brocky looks as so he will be the holding midfielder, looks nice and calm on the ball. and i must say how well i thougt gregg did against chadwick he won more or less everything if he does tha week in week out i hve got no quarms with him stayin there. i would have liked to play more against jerome thought it was an even tussle to be fair apart from the one time jus before half time when he wennt inti 10th gea of his. good performance and workout for us looking forward to saturday and a good season hopefully.... a big thank you must go to dave for organising everyone down to the ground and sorting the mess out tat it was a few weeks ago it looks great not sure who helped yo but if yo pass tha message on from the team please everyone commented how good it looks nthanks

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you bring the dream, and i will bring the team

Nice post Ste, and good to see a players response to the Roads support and helpers.Credit to you and your team-mates for a wonderful game.

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What!! You need a player? Hang on I'll get my boots!!!

Stecheets said:-


No problem, Steve. It has been a pleasure. I just wish I had the same enthusiasm for decorating my own place! Tell the team their comments are appreciated.

The Walker Brothers (Alan and George) have put in some significant time part decorating, part weeding and part attempting to repair the 'Leaky Creaky Stand'. Steve (Stech on here) helped out massively on the painting as did Alex and John. Paddy, Eunice and Family got the tea bar up and running and I think Paddy had some fairly unpleasant tasks to complete in respect of ensuring there were enough W.C's available! Trevor Mason and Pete our electrician came up trumps. Tony was doing his stuff round the clubhouse. Bernard the groundsman deserves a special mention for an immaculate pitch.......Thanks to all (and hoping I haven't missed anyone). It just goes to show what it takes to run a club and that is without starting giving credits to the coaching, management and other committee tasks!

It goes without saying that to ensure the momentum, any new volunteers will be welcomed with open arms!

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MAINE ROAD F.C.
South Manchester's Premier Club