The Boys Are Back in Town
The FC United Men’s First Team has returned to Broadhurst Park for pre-season training, hitting the ground running after their summer break. Thursday 27th June marked the beginning of their formal preparations, and the squad has already been putting in the hard yards.
Just six weeks ago, we were celebrating our Fenix Trophy triumph in Lake Garda. Now, the team is back, refreshed, and eager to get back on the pitch. The summer break was well-earned, but the consensus is clear: they can’t wait to get started again.
Manager Neil Reynolds and his backroom staff have been diligently planning for our twentieth season - our tenth here at Broadhurst Park. With a mix of returning talent and exciting new signings, the stage is set for an exciting season ahead.
We've secured a new face between the sticks with Benfica Academy product Andre Mendes taking the #1 shirt. Dec Evans from Southport and Ryan Qualter from Buxton bolster our defence. Midfield gains strength with Hayden Lindley, an Aston Villa academy graduate. Up front, we have winger Jake Connelly from Lancaster, striker Jordan Preston from Bradford Park Avenue—who notably scored twice against us last season—and the prolific Lewis Rawsthorn from Radcliffe on loan, who netted over 30 goals for Atherton LR last season.
We’ve got a packed pre-season schedule with a real mix of games, including four home matches at Broadhurst Park.
Saturday 13th July: Barrow AFC
Saturday 20th July: Salford City
Saturday 27th July: Basingstoke Town
Tuesday 30th July: Farsley Celtic
Before that, we kick off with a trip to Fulwood Amateurs on Friday 5th before an FC United XI travels to Bangor on Saturday 6th for our reciprocal friendly against the fellow fan-owned club - and an opportunity for supporters to get some sunshine by the seaside.
Similarly, we have a trip to Winsford next Tuesday 9th as part of a previous transfer arrangement. Both of these fixtures will be led by Callum Greenwood, giving him the opportunity to start gelling his Development Team together, and to provide some important minutes for players looking to build match fitness.
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Sandwiched in between those Saturday home fixtures are local trips to a couple of clubs who we have plenty of history with in Stalybridge Celtic on Tuesday 16th and Trafford on Tuesday 23rd. We conclude our pre-season programme with a trip to Haig Avenue to face Southport on Saturday 3rd August.
Assistant Manager Rob Henry shared his enthusiasm, saying, “It’s great getting the lads back out there, and there’s a lot of hard work to come over the next few weeks. We made clear at the end of last season what our standards and expectations were for the players coming back after the summer break, and we’re pleased that they have listened to that. I offered extra fitness sessions over the summer for any players who wanted them, and the uptake on that was really good.
“Our big focus for pre-season will be twofold: first, on strength and conditioning to ensure the players are at their peak fitness for the challenges ahead; and second, on developing our tactical approach and patterns of play to deliver an exciting brand of football on the pitch.
"The pre-season friendly programme has been designed this year to ensure we give plenty of game time to the entire squad, from our young players and those fighting for the remaining spots in the squad, right through to established players. We will take a tailored approach to who we select in each game, all geared up to make sure we are prepared for the first game of the season.”
Manager Neil Reynolds added, “Winning the Fenix Trophy for a second time in May was a fantastic experience for the whole team, but the reality is that planning for next season was underway long before that. We can’t control what other clubs in the league are spending, but we’ve focused on what we can control and aimed to improve in every department.
“We’ve put together a strong pre-season programme that will give players the opportunity to play for their place. In addition to the new signings, we will have some new faces here on a non-contract or trial basis over pre-season. We will slot in additional fixtures where necessary to allow these lads to show what they can do, alongside more established players who will benefit from more time on the pitch over the next few weeks. We want competition for places to ensure everyone gives their best.
“We’re really pleased with the dedication the lads have shown over the summer. I’d also like to specifically call out both Callum Gribbin and Jay Fitzmartin, who return to the squad after long-term injuries. I know how hard they’ve worked in recent months to get back to match fitness, and I’m sure supporters will be delighted to see them back.
"As Rob has said, there’s a lot of hard work still to come, but it is fantastic to get everyone back together and to be out there on the training pitch again."
We look forward to seeing you all at Broadhurst Park as we prepare for the latest chapter in our history. Let’s keep the Red Flag flying high!
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