FC United of Manchester Board Offers to Resign Following Recent Unrest at Club

The board of FC United of Manchester have offered to resign following recent unrest at the club, reports the Guardian.

Established as a protest against Malcolm Glazer's controversial purchase of Manchester United, the team have enjoyed a rapid rise through English football, climbing from the North West Counties Football League to the National League North. They currently sit 13th in what is their first season in the division, and have recently moved into Broadhurst Park, a new £6.3million stadium in the Moston district of Manchester.

But, despite their on-field success, there has been growing unrest at the club during recent months. This came to wider public attention in March, when the Guardian described "a story featuring legal action, resignations, protests, gagging orders and the overall feeling that FC [United] are locked in an identity crisis." Adam Brown, a key figure at the club since its formation, and general manager Andy Walsh, are among those to have resigned as a result.

Now, in a statement issued to members, FC United have recognised "the unrest and upset" at the club and called for an Extraordinary General Meeting to be held "as soon as is possible."

The statement continued: "At the EGM all remaining board members will either stand down permanently or stand down and seek re-election. The EGM will elect a new board for the club. This will provide members with the opportunity to vote for a newly formed board with a fresh mandate to represent the club's best interests and best serve the club going forward."

It concluded that the club is "collectively committed to ensuring that the co-owners of FC United of Manchester can find a way through the challenges we face at this stage of our history."

FC United membership – which includes the right to vote for board members – can be obtained for a small annual fee. Each member receives one vote, regardless of their financial contribution to the club.

The club is also noteworthy for its refusal to sell kit sponsorship, with the team still playing in unbranded red shirts.