FC United of Manchester vs Stockport County

Ground Number 216: Broadhurst Park

Friday 12th August 2016

FC United of Manchester 2-0 Stockport County

Conference North

Attendance: 3,033

Admission: Complimentary (£10 donation)

I have previously held a large amount of disdain for FC United, their reason for being, the sheer hypocrisy in their existence.

One thing is clear from going there, however.

The club has it spot on in so many aspects. 

The matchday experience here is awesome. These clubs become a bedlam for hipster wankstainery with good reason. 

A concourse that resembles a Budapest ruin bar, serving 6 different bottles of locally brewed ales at the Holt brewery. A hot dog stall that serves some of the most outrageously tasty bangers going. A fanbase that actually sing for 90 minutes solidly. A stadium decked out in colour, unique flags and stickers. 

I still think the ground needs quite a bit of work doing to it, but it has the makings of a cracking modern stadium. The two flat sides need some elevation and there are improvements to be made on the toileting situation. (Two portable bogs, really?). But if clubs like my own even made similar adjustments to improving the matchday experience at home games, I'd actually be tempted to go to a home game once in a while. 

Finally, a shout out to the people within the club offices, who sorted me out with a complimentary ticket, after I had emailed the club explaining I was a groundhopping nonce who was obvlivious to the all-ticketing situation. That was an unbelievably decent gesture to do that for me. 

Ended up boarding the wrong train (thanks Northern railway), nearly missing kick-off, but accidentally stumbled upon one of the best station pubs I've been in!

Adding my own to the collection!