FC United of Manchester open new stadium against Benfica... and show what football fans can achieve 22:45, 29 May 2015
"Brothers and sisters, can't you see? The future's owned by you and me!"That was the message on the terraces from the thousands of people who have dedicated not just their Saturdays, but their lives to ensuring this truly special football club is where it is today.
And now, all FC United of Manchester can do is look forward. After ten years of battling, fighting and believing... they are finally home.
They might have 10 years of history to their name but this, in reality, is the true birth of FC United.
On a week where football has been thrown into continual disrepute, this illustrious evening serves as a poignant reminder of exactly what football should be all about: the fans.
General manager Andy Walsh did not hold back in telling the supporters that as he passionately said thank you to all of the supporters before kick-off.
"You have all seen what has happened at FIFA this week," he said to a chorus of boos from the FC fans.
"You are part of the change. Supporter-ownership is the future."
But this occasion was more than just a look into the future of the club. This was a party, a celebration.
FC United were formed as a protest club against the Glazer family's takeover of Manchester United last decade. But there was little mention of the 'real' United at Broadhurst Park on this evening. It was their night. And that might perhaps be because FC United are actually themselves the 'real' United.
That buzz of 'proper' football could be felt long before you arrived at Broadhurst Park. There was a sense of excitement on the streets. Thousands of people were travelling to their new place of footballing worship.
Fans arrived on open-top buses singing their hearts out, while local drumming bands provided the entertainment outside of the ground. There was more than just a feeling of success for this phoenix club; this was more about the pride of what they have achieved.
FC United have got this right. The venue is the perfect size, the fans are still close enough to the pitch to literally touch the action and everything has been done to the finest detail. They even offer a free wifi connections for supporters, which is a nice touch in modern times.
All in all, Broadhurst Park cost £6.3million. But what makes it even more staggering is that the majority of that money was raised by the supporters themselves, who could only dream of such a day back in 2005.
There was a beautiful irony to the opening fixture at Broadhurst Park. The game occurred on the same date, 47 years to the day, that Manchester United defeated Benfica to become European champions for the first time in their history.
And Benfica are somewhat of a role-model for the Rebels, as the Portuguese giants are the largest supporter-owned football club in the world.
The match itself was nothing to shout about, but it was never about what happened on the pitch.
Broadhurst Park did come agonisingly close to its first goal right at the end of the first half. Last season's top goalscorer Tom Greaves rounded the Benfica goalkeeper, but his effort was miraculously blocked by the defender. In the incident, Greaves was injured and his dream day was over. Goalless at the break.
But just when FC thought they had done enough to secure a famous draw, Diogo Goncalves fired home at the near post. Not that FC's fans really cared. They stood and applauded the first goal of their new home.
FC's support was the real thing worth shouting about, however. Loud and proud through the 90 minutes, they truly were the real winners on this brisk Friday night. They had been waiting for this night for a very long time.
The night ended with FC fans chanting for Benfica, who bowed and applauded the home fans. A true touch of class representing the valuable and unique relationship between these two sides.
The crowds never really have dwindled too significantly at FC United, whether they have played at either of their part-time homes at Bury, Stalybridge or Curzon Ashton.
Over 3,500 were in attendance at the Tameside Stadium as they secured promotion to the Conference North last season, after years of play-off pain. Over 4,200 here on this momentous day.
The atmosphere is always electric, the chants are original and the fans are friendly and welcoming, no matter where they play.
This is just the beginning for FC United of Manchester. This is the second chapter of what will hopefully be one of the most successful stories in the history of football.
Let this be a keen reminder of what supporters can achieve in football. This is fan power at its best - and it truly puts the 'beautiful' back into the beautiful game.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/ ... ew-5788488 
