FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester Badge FC United of Manchester Pitch In

FC until the end: RIP Harry Mcdowall

FC until the end: RIP Harry McdowallIt is with sadness that the club learnt of the recent passing of supporter Harry Mcdowall, who had followed us since the start, on Saturday 14th March.

His funeral took place on Friday 3rd April at Dukinfield Crematorium and it is unfortunate that in these times of social restriction, his many friends at FC United were not able to attend and give him the send-off he deserved. On behalf of everyone at FC United, sincere condolences to Harry’s wife Elsie and 3 daughters.

Harry’s friend Wooly wrote this tribute to a true gentleman:

"Harry Mcdowall, like myself, has followed FC since season one having both been season ticket holders at Old Trafford for as long as I can remember

Harry would have been 65 when we first went to watch FC but it is fair to say that FC galvanised our interest in football again and we traveled home and away to places we had never even knew existed.

Harry made many friends at FC, from Ruth Slater and Jane Wood in the office to the bar staff who all knew him and always let him have a glass for his beer when no one else could. He also made many friends among the fans from the Middleton Branch at the Fishpool to the current like minded people we sit with.

Harry in recent years loved the dining in experience when 10-14 would gather 4 times a year and wax lyrical about all things FC and the world in general.

Elsie, his wife, loved FC because it got him out and kept him going, plus he was out of her way all day on Saturdays (lol)! But like the rest of us she would give anything to be dropping him off again to go to the match.

He was last at the match a couple of weeks before he died, loving it and berating the ref as ever; it was a measure of his love for FC that the attached photo was in front of his coffin, his match day scarf draped across with his flat cap and a bottle of whiskey on top.

So at the age of 80 its a sad farewell to my great friend R.I.P mate you will be missed more than you could ever have known but the next Ref is getting it Harry style. "


First Posted ~ 20:05 Sun 5 Apr 2020
News ID ~ 8684
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021