FC United: A punk football fairy tale

FC United of Manchester, the team formed by a group of football activists in opposition to the debt-financed takeover of the Old Trafford club by the American Glazer family in 2005, players make their way onto the pitch for their FA Cup first round tie with Rochdale Photograph: Gary Calton

Young FC fans show their enthusiasm Photograph: Gary Calton

FC fans display their lofty ambitions Photograph: Gary Calton

FC's Richard Battersby deals with a flare thrown onto the pitch Photograph: Gary Calton

A young FC fan makes his point Photograph: Gary Calton

Overeager fans rush onto the pitch after FCUM's second goal. They squandered a 2-0 advantage but won in injury time Photograph: Gary Calton

FC fans celebrate the win. It was their first competitive match against league opposition and their first match at this stage of the world’s oldest football competition Photograph: Gary Calton

On giants’ shoulders: Jerome Wright is lifted aloft after FC United’s famous Rochdale victory Photograph: Gary Calton

United we stand: FC’s fans celebrate their team’s last-gasp 3-2 win over Rochdale in the FA Cup first round on 5 November, 2010 Photograph: Gary Calton

Players celebrate with a beer in the dressing room following the match Photograph: Gary Calton

the dilapidated pitch at Ten Acres Lane – the ground will require an investment of at least £1.5m Photograph: Gary Calton

Youngsters playing at Ten Acre Lane Photograph: Gary Calton

“The idea of FC United needs a home”: Adam Brown, one of the founding board members, outside Ten Acres Lane, the proposed location for FC United’s new ground Photograph: Gary Calton