Glossop North end and Arsenal and FC United...

26 may 1999

This may be a bit long winded, but please try to bear with me.

Firstly, on behalf of Glossop North End, many, many thanks to all the supporters, management, officials and players, from FCUM, for playing us in the friendly the other night. I hope you all enjoyed yourselves and without any doubt, you have helped us more than you can imagine.

On the negative points, sorry about the floodlights. We have two bulbs out at present and are currently trying to find someone with a " cherry picker " machine to get up there and change them... for little, or no money ! When that is done, they are actually about 25% better than the F.A. stipulate for our level. You can make of that what you want ! As far as the police are concerned, it was clear long before the game that we could not afford their ridiculous costs for officially policing the game. They told us they understood this and said they would " maintain a small presence " inside and outside the ground. We were as stunned as you were by how many they sent, including riot vans, dogs and senior officers. They were turning up from all over Derbyshire, asking me if they could get a " brew and a butty. " In the end, I suspect they used it as something of a training exercise, but we were only expecting a handfull, at the most. If we get a bill for that lot, there will have been no point in having the friendly and trying to raise very badly needed funds.

Some of you will be aware that in 1900 - 1901, Glossop were and still are, the smallest town in the country, ever to support a team in the top division of English football. The team was bankrolled by Sir Samuel Hill Wood, who bought English and Scottish internationals, at the drop of a hat. I suppose he was the " Abrahmovic " of his day. Eventually, he sold his mills and took his money to London, where he became chairman of Arsenal. Indeed, his grandson, Peter Hill Wood, is still their chairman today. Despite several pleas for any kind of help, they could offer us, they have made it clear that none will ever come, despite the very strong links.

In a nutshell, FCUM have done more to help an old, historic and financially strapped football club, in one night, than Arsenal have ever done, despite the fact that Arsenal were built on money made in the sweatshops of Glossop.

You should all be very, very proud of your club for that, because it proves you have a much better understanding of what " real " football is all about
than the " Mighty Arsenal, " who clearly couldn't give a toss !

Thanks again.... and a special thanks to Bradz, one of your own supporters, for all his help with this game. He even did a turnstile for me, whilst proudly sporting his FCUM badge ! Surely that is what it's all about at our level and something the likes of Arsenal, could never and will never, understand.

Once again...... many thanks

Adrian Priestley
Supporter and Director of Glossop North End A.F.C.

fredthered

Brilliant...

Making friends is what its all about, and given the number of good reports we are getting back from clubs we have played against, you cant help but think how much good FC United is doing.

Forget the trophies, forget the rise up the ranks. The fact FC United can put so much back into football, just shows we are doing the right thing. Big clubs take too much out and put so little back in.. We can do something about that, and as that letter suggests, thats exactly what we are doing. We are giving back more than we take out.

mickthered

Bollocks, its all just press speculation

fredthered

and no one ever believes what the press say..

Unless its the NOTW revealing two premiership players are indulging in sexual activities with a pop star and a mobile phone..

mickthered

Unless its praising Glazer

fredthered

Of course.

Praise GLazer and its gospel and every word should be hung off, but slag him off. Well then its just bullshit...