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FCupdate - a regular round up of world football news

Welcome to the latest edition of FCupdate, our regular round-up of news and views from around the football world that should appeal to fans of a supporter-owned club such as FC United.

We hope you enjoy the latest edition and do let us know if you see anything that we should be including in future issues by emailing website@fc-utd.uk.

Eastwood Town denied play-off place over state of ground
Eastwood Town have been informed by the Conference, that despite the ’B’ grading being achieved by their ground and the extra work carried out last year in order to be eligible for the play-offs, they will not be allowed to take part should they achieve a top five position. More at Eastwood’s website.

Ancona’s cup success is big boost for supporters’ trust
Last summer, Italian club Ancona, who were playing in Serie B, went bankrupt and the new club were forced to start again in Eccellenza, the sixth level of the Italian footballing pyramid. Sosteniamolancona, Ancona’s supporters trust, was founded in August 2010 and joined by about eight hundred supporters, who have all put in a massive effort to make things better for the club. Those efforts received a big boost on 6 April when Ancona won the Coppa Italia di Eccellenza, the first step in what fans hope will be a rise back up the ranks. Read more at Supporters Direct.

Portsmouth sale gets closer – but who’s buying?
A deal to buy troubled Portsmouth FC could be completed by the end of April. The key individuals behind a sports marketing company bidding to buy Pompey have undertaken the Football League’s Fit and Proper Persons test. It is the first time since Portsmouth went into administration that a group interested in buying the club has gone this far down the line. Read more at Pompey Pages.

Notts County’s trillion dollar con man in the spotlight
Panorama on Monday 18 April looks to be worth watching. The programme tracks down a fraudster who stole a football club and broke a bank. With tales of foreign gold and assets worth two trillion dollars, the con man fooled politicians, celebrities and the City. More at The BBC.

Well done Merthyr – fans owned and champions in their first year
Fans owned Merthyr Town FC is celebrating its first championship after a 5-1 win over Gillingham Town at their temporary home in Taffs Well. A record crowd of 501 basked in the spring sunshine to witness Wales’s only community mutual football club take the Western League Division One title. Read more at martyrstothecause.blogspot.

Arsenal fans say no to selling shares to Kroenke
The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust has voted not to sell its shares to prospective new owner Stan Kroenke, who has tabled a mandatory offer for full control of the club. In a welcome development, the Trust voted unanimously to reject the offer, which values each share at £11,750, preferring to retain its stake in the club. A spokesperson for the Trust said: “Arsenal is too important to be owned by any one man." Read more at BBC Sport.

Former Scarborough football stadium to be demolished
The former home of Scarborough Football Club is to be demolished - marking a step towards the development of a new ‘leisure village’ for the town, which could eventually see a new ground built in the area. The local council has voted to demolish the stadium, which has been derelict since the club was wound up in 2007. More at Scarborough Evening News.

Following the liquidation of Scarborough FC, Scarborough Athletic Football Club was formed on 25 June 2007 and is a supporters trust like FC United. Scarborough Athletic currently play in the Northern Counties East Football League and you can read more about them on their website.

Top 100 football blogs
The Guardian’s top 100 football blogs list is well worth a look for those seeking insightful views on the beautiful game. We plugged this a while back but it’s worth reminding you of the list now. The list is in no particular order and by no means definitive. More at The Guardian.

Fans’ Parliament just three months away
The Football Supporters’ Federation Fans’ Parliament is three months away and registrations for the event are now being taken. Fans’ Parliament is the FSF’s annual conference where their democratically elected National Council is formed, motions proposed, and debates had. If you’d like to get involved with the FSF’s work, have a campaign idea, or disagree with something they’ve said during the year, the Fans’ Parliament is your chance to have your say. Read more and register to attend at Fans’ Parliament.




First Posted ~ 13:57 Tue 19 Apr 2011
News ID ~ 3543
Last Updated ~ 22:15 Sun 5 Jun 2022