Fantastic response to FC United's #NoDrainNoGame appeal

They have now increased their target to £30,000 to help carry out further essential work to the pitch - having already raised enough to complete the essential drainage work to the pitch this summer which will reduce the risk of costly match postponements next season.

Groundsman Graham Byrne said: “Fixing the drains is the number one priority but the essential work we had planned before the pandemic doesn’t end there – a lot more still needs to be done.

“Koroing is the process of planing off the top surface of the pitch. This removes the organic matter that has built up in the upper profile, which holds moisture on the surface and can promote disease.

"It also removes shallow rooted weed grasses which kick-out more readily than deeper rooting rye grasses. A much more stable and hard wearing surface will be the result. Ideally, koroing should be carried out every two years, so we need to make up for lost time.”

As with the drainage work, koroing the pitch will significantly reduce the risk of games being lost to bad weather next season. A postponed Saturday afternoon men’s first team match typically costs the club around £8,000 if it gets rearranged to a midweek night. It will also allow the pitch to continue to be used for revenue generating activities such as the film shoots.

In normal circumstances, the cost of pitch maintenance would be paid by the club and we were intending to set aside £30,000 for improvements to the main stadium pitch this summer.

The club says that it will lose around £220,000 in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is partially offset by much needed – and much appreciated – grants and other support from Manchester City Council and HMRC as well as the fantastic fund-raising efforts of FC United supporters.

To donate to the appeal, click here