FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER VS STOCKTON TOWN PREVIEW
COMPETITION: Northern Premier League Premier Division- Matchday 39
DATE: Tuesday 21st April, 2026
KICK-OFF: 19:45
ENTRY: £15 Adults, £10.50 Concessions, £5 18-21 year olds, under-18’s £3, under-14’s free.
ONLINE TICKETS: https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/ChooseQuantity?ticketId=10137&fixtureId=12777
GROUND: Broadhurst Park, Lightbowne Road, Moston, Manchester, M40 0DJ
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc – Twitter/X
LIVE COMMENTARY: https://anchors-radio.mixlr.com/
Following seven previous postponements Stockton Town will finally make the trip to Broadhurst Park to face FC United of Manchester.
It’s the fixture which has caused all sorts of drama. The announcement earlier this month that it had moved by the NPL to Curzon Ashton’s Tameside Stadium was not met kindly by FC United of Manchester who managed to lobby successfully to get it back to Broadhurst Park.
It also saw long-term NPL Chairman Mark Harris relieved of his duties after an ill-timed comment to an aggrieved FC United via email.
As for the action on the pitch, Stockton head into the game holding the final Play-Off position after they stopped the rot with a draw at home to Lancaster City. Michael Sweet opened the scoring for Stockton before Dom Lawson levelled for the Dolly Blues.
That result and Gainsborough Trinity’s defeat to Prescot Cables leaves Stockton, Lancaster and Gainsborough all sitting on 59 points. The Anchors hold the final Play-Off spot thanks to their superior goal difference.
THE OPPOSITION
FC United of Manchester go into the game looking to keep their fading title hopes alive. Mark Beesley’s men suffered a damaging 1-0 defeat at home to Hyde United on Saturday which leaves them five points off leaders Hebburn Town. To take to the final day they will need the maximum.
Despite Saturday’s disappointment, FC can boast an impressive season and much improved campaign this year. They are guaranteed at least a home Semi-Final in the Play-Offs and have moved up at least 14 places on last season’s finish of 17th.
Sparkling winger Jay Fitzmartin has really come on this season and is beginning to live up to his promising potential. He scored a brace in their latest win at Guiseley, and caused all sorts of problems for Stockton in the reverse fixture by setting up Jordan Buckley’s late winner.
Outside of Fitzmartin, Andre Wisdom and Adam Le Fondre are the names that immediately jump out the page when looking at FC’s team. The pair both graced the Premier League back in 2012-13 playing 46 games between them for Liverpool and Reading.
Le Fondre is more of a link-up man in the twilight of his career but he still has an eye for goal with double digits this season.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The two sides have met on three previous occasions.
23 Nov 2024 – Stockton Town 1-0 FC United of Manchester – NPL Premier Division
29 Mar 2025 – FC United of Manchester 0-1 Stockton Town – NPL Premier Division
07 Mar 2026- Stockton Town 2-3 FC United of Manchester- NPL Premier Division
FORM GUIDE
FC United of Manchester: W W L W L
Last match: FC United of Manchester 0-1 Hyde United
Stockton Town: L W L L D
Last match: Stockton Town 1-1 Lancaster City
VIEW FROM THE OPPOSITION
Asked his thoughts on Stockton, Mark Beesley said:
“They’re a good team. We played them a few weeks ago and I expect another tough game like all the games.”
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Looking ahead to the game, JD Briggs said:
“That (1-1 draw with Lancaster) should give us a bit of confidence after we have performed poorly recently. It’s the right time to come good now.
“FC United are still trying to win the league but they might be struggling a little bit themselves. It’s a huge game on Tuesday for both teams.”
