Ed talks to Jonathan Allsopp, author of 'This Thing of Ours,' to discuss his new book which explores the unique challenges and successes of running FC United. Celebrating the club's 20th anniversary, Jonathan shares insights into the motivations behind writing the book, FC United's founding manifesto, the pressures of fan ownership, financial constraints, and community involvement. He also touches on the establishment of the women's team, fan engagement strategies, the significance of the Fenix Trophy, and the broader implications of fan ownership in modern football. It’s an insightful look into a club determined to preserve fan culture amidst the commercial pressures of the sport.
This Thing of Ours: https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/thing-ours
00:00 Introduction
01:13 The Inspiration Behind the Book
04:46 Challenges of Fan Ownership
06:30 Day-to-Day Operations of FC United
07:54 Financial Realities and Business Planning
18:18 The Fenix Trophy
22:39 FC United Women's Team
27:16 Community Engagement
29:02 Fan Engagement and Democratic Processes
29:58 Voting and Participation Rates
31:18 Challenges in Fan Engagement
32:53 Interaction with Manchester United Fans
34:48 Media Attention and Fan Culture
37:57 Boardroom Politics and Transparency
45:11 Future of Fan Ownership
51:34 Financial Challenges and Governance
53:57 Conclusion
#manchesterunited #fcunited #bookinterview
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