FC United in the play-offs

Kept an eye on the FC United result last night. A 90th minute goal made it a 1-1 draw against Woodley Sports at home. Just a point, and with Curzon Ashton going down 1-2 at Newcastle Blue Star this means..
a) They'll be celebrating on the Park Avenues' of Bradford are they are promoted as champions
b) I should be going to Gigg Lane next Wednesday to cheer FC in a play-off semi-final
c) There are some other mathematical scenarios that could alter events.

For the armchair army there will be the amusing radio coverage from FCUM-TV, and possibly some free internet Tv from NPL TV. I watched Liverpool v. Chelsea on ITV, and Leek Town v. Fleetwood Town on the laptop on Tuesday. Getting better at following two games at once. NPL-TV whom I thought would fold after six months are now very likely owned by Sky (same email address). Media moguls are deep down in the non-league but at least the games are free - but for how long? It was ridiculous charging a fiver a match, you can see the real thing for £7 or buy Setanta for £10 a month. But full marks for excellent commentary, and picture quality. They also read your name out if you email in and comment during the game. Will appeal to some people I know, and myself...
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FCUM 1 BPA 4

Surfing away with a cup of tea, and a packet of ginger nuts listening to FCUM-TV online radio commentary. Excellent reception and we even got some CCTV like pictures in the first half. The commentary is slicker, faster (keeps up pitch action) and wittier than last season.

I don't know if this is FC United's worse defeat but it might have well as been. The crowd sounded like they took the poor play well, certainly heard "are we City in disguise", and 'we want Mourinho" being sung.

Let's hope there is a bounce back for Saturday's match. But well done the FCUM-TV radio team for an evenings entertainment.

One of those days

It's my day off work but do a couple of hours in the morning for some lieu time, go to the lotty (allotment) and it looks like some fox or squirrel has been snaffling a couple of sweetcorns and digging...Watch England v. Japan in the Women's World Cup. A gripping match spoilt by a last minute equaliser from a direct free kick in the last minute. Both of Japan's goals come from excellent free kicks they just appear to go straight through the wall like a bullet. The Chinese crowd are all supporting England, you didn't expect them to cheer for Japan did you. Oh well, is this three games and the plane home next week?

FC United are away at Clitheroe. Streaming radio commentary is not working again. Still got technical issues at FCUM.TV. I'll check the Match Updates forum later on. 1-1 and the floodlights fail.

Tonight's football story on the news. Does McClaren play Mr.E.Heskey or Mr.P.Crouch as the striker? Has it come to this - it has.

Just a frustrating day all round.

Squeeze Those Rights

No broadcasts of FC United on Channel M this season..."Despite a frantic round of last minute talks regarding next seasons FCUM.TV show, Channel M have unexpectedly pulled out of the deal citing exposure to legal challenges."

Channel M needs all the viewers it can, and I was one of them every Monday night (Sky 203) watching the highlights, I'd then check out the schedules to see if I was missing anything else like Frank Sidebottom. Well not this year, won't be watching anything now.

Every last bit of filming and audio rights are being licensed to various small time operators to squeeze another few quid out of the football fan. FC United and FCUM.TV are a refreshing exception - online match commentary and video clips on the web all for free. Say unlike the Ryman League who want you to pay for a 60p a minute phone call to hear an interview with the manager of Wealdstone. They've also put an end to Dons Online service (AFC Wimbledon) with their plans to maximize revenues from your credit card.

If you're a long suffering fan of a lower league team you are expected to fork out another four or five pounds a month. That's just for the not so comfortable privilege of sitting in front of a small picture on a computer screen. Nor can you listen to online commentary even though the BBC local radio are at the match, doing an excellent job with our license fee.

FCUM TV / 3

You have to feel for FCUM TV. They have a weekly show on Channel M (Sky 203) to fill but the match is called off due to an unfit pitch. This means not only finding some footage to cover the gap, but a backlog of fixtures to film before the end of April. All of this done on a very low budget. Volunteers driven by passion for the team and for football. There was a nice touch the other week. A brief interview with Billy Davies, manager of Preston North End who was watching his son referee a FCUM Reserves game. As fans we can now video the crowd entertaining ourselves and leave the pitch action to the bigger cameras of FCUM-TV. Check this half-time song on YouTube Link.
FCUM-TV by the fans for the fans - it's the real deal.

North West Counties

Now I haven't been to a NW Counties Football League game for a while but I've got plans and the desire...

How about FC United v. Maine Road on Easter Monday 9th April - the mini-derby reds v. blues. Ramsbottom v. FC United with a trip on steam train from Bury using the East Lancashire Railway. It'll be an all ticket match as the ground is mostly field and not terraces. The tie could switch venues so I won't build any away-day hopes yet.

So at present it's hibernation armchair supporting watching FCUM TV on Channel M (Sky 203), or using t'internet. There is a great new video player console on the FCUM-TV website for watching clips you've might have missed. Makes browsing a doddle, well done lads.

Issue 2 of North West Side Stories is out now. This gives an insight into what goes on in grassroots football. Worth reading just for the comments about pies from "Farny at the Far Post" (Alan Farnworth, Vice Chairman of the NWCFL)...Pies and football, no burgers, no prawns.