Rebels deserve New Year reward

If good deeds at Christmas are rewarded then FC United of Manchester fans can surely look forward to seeing the Rebels go on a great run in 2013.

Thanks to generous fans, former player Ben Deegan and his family were more than £2,000 better off at Christmas after their Moston branch stepped in to help the father of one and his partner Kathryn. They’ve been struggling to make ends meet after he was left unable to work and on statutory sick pay following a double leg break playing Sunday League back in October.

Deegan, one of the heroes of the club’s headline grabbing 2010 FA Cup run, is now at Ashton United and supporters raised the cash at a Ben Deegan Benefit Night. On Christmas Day the couple’s seven month old son Max, pictured, was even presented with a baby replica shirt! Deegan himself has also had some good news on his injury with medics now predicting he'll be able to return to work at least by mid January.

After helping their former hero, the Rebels then stepped up their seasonal efforts on Boxing Day when their ‘Big Coat Day’ charity collection of winter clothes helped the homeless and needy in the North West.

Despite their Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division clash with Witton Albion being abandoned soon after kick off following heavy rain, FCUM officials say the now annual event is on course to repeat last year's success. Efforts were helped by local celebrities led by former England and Lancashire cricketer and pundit David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd who lined up to back efforts at Gigg Lane for charities Mustard Tree and the Boaz Trust.

An astonishing six tons of clothing was collected and FC United General Manager Andy Walsh thanked fans. He said: "Last winter, some 5,000 deaths occurred in the North West, many because of lack of heating and warm clothing and I’d like to thank anyone who took their unwanted items of warm clothing to Gigg Lane for collection and distribution to the needy."

Witton Albion and a number of local organisations including Salford University, NHS Manchester and the Guinness Housing Trust also support the campaign which last year saw more than 3,000 items weighing more than six tons collected in the Manchester area. Other celebrity backers this year included actors Maxine Peake, John Henshaw, Steve Evets and Julie Hesmondalgh.