MP Graham Stringer hailed the efforts of FC United’s group of volunteers after handing out five certificates to deserving recipients.
Stringer, 74 visited Broadhurst Park ahead of the game against Mickleover Sports as part of the Volunteer Certificates initiative by league sponsors Pitching In.
He said: “There’s obviously a great sense of community and participation through people here, there’s a real enthusiasm to be involved and it’s great to see because volunteering, doing things, getting involved is what holds communities together.
“Apart from the immediate selling of tickets, or collecting of coats, once you’re doing things, people are involved and it adds onto other things, so I think it’s great.”
The certificates are part of the wider focus Pitching In has placed upon volunteers during their sponsorship of the league, which began in 2020.
And volunteers play a crucial role at FC United of Manchester, which was founded as a democratically-run, fan-owned club in 2005, after the Glazer family’s takeover of Manchester United.
FC United shared Bury FC’s ground Gigg Lane until 2014, before the club moved to Broadhurst Park in Moston in 2015.
Stringer said: “I’ve never been to this club before.
“I helped them when they were starting up, as a Member of Parliament for Manchester and because I’m interested in football but that was some time before this ground was built and I’ve never been to this one.
“So I’m delighted to come today.”
FC United of Manchester are 19th in the Northern Premier League Premier Division after a 14th placed finish last season.
Volunteers are crucial to the running of non-league football clubs and around 40 people volunteer at FC United on matchdays.
Stringer said: “It’s important because supporters matter to the lads out there on the pitch but this is a relatively poor community around the ground.
“Getting people involved, giving them a sense of pride and place and association it’s a two way street.
“It helps the club and it helps the local community if people are doing active things, whether it’s young people who might turn to bad things, giving them something to do and pride in a local institution is likely to mean they don’t take those bad choices.
Find volunteering opportunities at your local club by visiting pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk
Featured Image Credit: FC United of Manchester
