‘I went to the non-league European competitors with an unlikely hyperlink to Man Utd’

‘The soul is one’ – a flag adorning a corner of the stand reflecting this club’s enduring bond to its bigger brother Manchester United reads.

There have been many memorable European nights in Greater Manchester over the years. But this felt distinct. Seventh-tier semi-professional side FC United were kicking off their fourth straight campaign in the Fenix Trophy.

For those unfamiliar, this competition – which is approved by UEFA – was first mooted back in 2020 by Italian non-league outfit Brera FC, who wanted to rival the Champions League and create a ‘cult’ network of non-professional clubs. Yet, not just anyone can join; the participants are selected for their historical, social and cultural significance.

FC United are entirely fan-owned and their storied history dates back to June 2005 when a group of Manchester United supporters protesting the Glazer’s takeover decided to break away and form a phoenix club.

Some still attend Old Trafford, but equally, some refuse to step foot inside it. The overarching feeling though is that deep down, despite the grievances, FC United and Manchester United share, the same values and ethos.

But, none of them envisioned they’d ever again have the opportunity to travel across the continent and see their side lift European silverware. How they were wrong.

“This is like Europe in the 80s and 90s” one fan explained to me on the all-standing terrace, pint in hand, at FC United’s Broadhurst Park Stadium in the suburb of Moston. Many were present at the Camp Nou in 1999 and witnessed Manchester United secure the treble.

In 2022, things came full circle when around 900 ‘Red Rebels’ descended on the Italian coastal town of Rimini to witness another success. And after a second triumph last season, they’re now going for a third crown.

“I’m so glad it’s back. Ever since our first trip where this competition really won mine and many other people’s hearts, it’s been amazing,” said FC supporter Mat Williamson.

“The trips away are great. Krakow, Warsaw and Valencia which actually ended up being Benidorm for most of us.

“Some people are always going to have different opinions and think we should be focusing on doing well in the league, but it’s so important for a club like FC United to be involved in a tournament like this because of what we stand for.

“To have people from across Europe come here to our ground and to go to their’s. It would have never happened without this and that’s ultimately what it’s about.”

Matt and his friends describe themselves as FC’s unofficial ‘flag designers’ with the small paddock where they stand every week draped in colour. They even take the flags abroad, despite the few drunken away days where they’ve either been lost or confiscated.

“We’ve designed all our these ourselves. We have to pay for the printing which we are fundraising for at the moment, but you can see how worth it they are. There’s even a couple of Fenix ones we had made especially,” Matt explained.

By this point, the ground was filling up ahead of the game. Tonight’s opponents were Prague Raptors, a club created in 2018 with the goal of uniting locals and expats based in the Czech capital. It was their third time meeting FC United – the first in Manchester – with the hosts having previously triumphed over the Raptors in the 2022 and 2024 finals on neutral soil.

Alongside tonight’s teams are 14 others. Ranging from many different countries including Romania, Finland and Montenegro all with the same dream of European glory. The Fenix is a straight knockout tournament which is something of a rarity in football these days. Each round takes place over two legs with the final played in a yet-to-be-determined neutral location.

With the first leg of this tie about to get underway a group of around eight Raptors ultras gathered pitchside near the away dugout. They received some friendly banter from the 700+ home supporters – who in reality could only admire their dedication. Many were already whispering about the second leg in the Czech Republic next month. European away trips are already the stuff of legend here at FC United.

Memories of supporters dancing in a Polish bar with the squad of players or the manager forgetting his passport and missing a flight are just some of the tales I heard. Everything about tonight is truly non-league, and the part of the English game that we should be most proud of.

The tagline of the Fenix Trophy ‘making friends not millionaires’ is a testament to this. Many here are sick of European Super League breakaway attempts and believe football is ultimately about the fans.

The game itself was pretty straightforward for the Northern Premier League outfit, who inflicted a 5-0 defeat on a Prague side that never gave up. There were several rounds of applause as the visitors made subs with the home fans quick to show their appreciation.

Many chants that are routinely belted out at Old Trafford can be heard coming from the ‘St Mary’s Road End’. FC United’s answer to the Stretford End. “Ennis is the one”, another curated by the fanbase about their veteran captain Charlie Ennis to the tune of the iconic Stone Roses, was sung loudly.

While many FC fans are beginning to become used to nights like these, their new manager Mark Beesley was tasting European action for the first time and admitted even he didn’t know what to expect.

“I’ve heard a bit about the tournament but coming here I didn’t quite know what it would be like,” he explained post-match.

“It’s part of the club and it’s something that makes us unique. We have to keep the traditions we have going because this is one of the reasons why people started the club 20 years ago.”

Of course, a select few think they should focus on domestic matters. But others see this as a chance to “stick it to the man” – which another flag reads – and show the Premier League there’s more to football than money.

In fact, the costs of FC United’s travel abroad are entirely self-funded through gate receipts and revenue from tonight’s game. The club even made a small loss in the first edition but still continued to enter.

You may question why. But for avid followers of the Fenix Trophy and non-league football, the professional game has lost its soul and this is what it should be like.