Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 9y

Man United splinter club FC United claim fourth promotion in 10 years

FC United, the club formed by disenchanted Manchester United fans, have clinched their fourth promotion in 10 years.

The splinter club, created by supporters who were upset by the Glazers' takeover at Old Trafford in 2005, will play in the Conference North -- English football's sixth tier -- next season.

The team ensured they will go up from the Evo-Stik Premier League by beating Stourbridge 1-0 on Tuesday night with a goal from Greg Daniels in front of a crowd of 3,588, although their average attendance is around 2,000.

Manager Karl Marginson set his sights on winning a further two promotions, telling reporters: "The Football League is possible. Most clubs would give anything to have the size of support we have.

"There will be obstacles to overcome, but we have proved to be capable of that over the last 10 years."

FC United started life in the North West Counties League Division Two, and won three promotions in three years before spending seven seasons in the seventh tier.

They are moving into a new purpose-built stadium and host a friendly against Benfica, Manchester United's opponents in the 1968 European Cup final, next month.

FC United will be replaced in the Evo-Stik Premier League by Salford City, who went up on Tuesday despite not playing because of results in other games.

Salford are part-owned by former United players Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville.

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