FC United of Manchester set for Fenix Trophy title defence

This evening, all eyes will be on Broadhurst Park as FC United of Manchester begin the defence of their title against Belgian side KSK Beveren.

The tournament features three small groups of semi-professional and amateur teams from across Europe, playing between the sixth and eighth tiers in the respective nations.

It begins with a group stage phase whereby teams will play each other both home and away to determine the winner of each group.

Those who advance will then face-off in the final round after June 2023.

FC United manager Neil Reynolds will be looking to get his hands on the trophy once more, with his side overcoming Czech outfit Prague Raptors 2-0 in the competition’s debut back in June.

"We were the only English club to win a European trophy last season, so I'll take that," Neil Reynolds told the BBC.

"To bring the trophy home through the airport and having my children see us winning it was incredible.

“We can say we've won a European trophy and nobody can take that away from us.

"Our fans have seen it happen with Manchester United, now they've seen it with FC United."

The Northern Premier League side begin their title defence tonight, with the other competing teams set to begin their latest European adventure next week.

Photo credit: Fenix Trophy