FC United of Manchester general manager Andy Walsh to step down

ANDY WALSH, who has been a huge part behind FC United of Manchester’s rapid progression, is to step down as the club’s general manager at the end of June.

Walsh has been in the role since the club was formed in 2005 by Manchester United supporters after Malcolm Glazer’s takeover at Old Trafford.

During his time as general manager, Walsh has helped establish FC United as a huge success story in Non-League football.

They currently play in the National League North after four promotions and moved into their new Broadhurst Park home last year.

Alongside the club’s elected board, Walsh led the project to finance the stadium, which saw supporters raise half of the £6.3m cost from a ground-breaking community share scheme and other social financing initiatives.

Walsh has also overseen the huge rise of the club’s membership which currently stands at 5,000 and makes the Red Rebels the biggest supporter-owned side in the country.

Walsh told the club’s website: “It has been an immense privilege to have been general manager of FC United. Together, as a club we have shown that football can be run in a different way, by ordinary supporters, who have the ability if given the chance to do extraordinary things.

“Supporter ownership is a real, viable and sustainable alternative to established ownership models in the game that give little or no voice to supporters. FC United is living proof that football fans can make a difference when they are empowered and have a vision of a better way forward.

“Over the past ten years I have been closely involved in building the club, its structures and influence and I very much want to continue that in a different capacity.

“As the club moves into a new era in its own ground with an expanding community profile, the future looks bright for FC United and I’m looking forward to playing a role in that successful future.”

A club statement added: “The FC United board would like to thank Andy for the tireless work and dedication that he has shown to the club since its inception.

“It is no exaggeration to say that without his leadership and management skills the club would not be in the enviable position that it is today in fantastic facilities that will allow it to continue to grow for the benefit of members, supporters and the wider communities of Greater Manchester.”