#888 | Ed talks to Jonathan Allsopp, author of 'This Thing of Ours,' to discuss his new book which explores the unique challenges and successes of running FC United. Celebrating the club's 20th anniversary, Jonathan shares insights into the motivations behind writing the book, FC United's founding manifesto, the pressures of fan ownership, financial constraints, and community involvement. He also touches on the establishment of the women's team, fan engagement strategies, the significance of the Fenix Trophy, and the broader implications of fan ownership in modern football. It’s an insightful look into a club determined to preserve fan culture amidst the commercial pressures of the sport.

00:00 Introduction 01:13 The Inspiration Behind the Book 04:46 Challenges of Fan Ownership 06:30 Day-to-Day Operations of FC United 07:54 Financial Realities and Business Planning 18:18 The Fenix Trophy 22:39 FC United Women's Team 27:16 Community Engagement 29:02 Fan Engagement and Democratic Processes 29:58 Voting and Participation Rates 31:18 Challenges in Fan Engagement 32:53 Interaction with Manchester United Fans 34:48 Media Attention and Fan Culture 37:57 Boardroom Politics and Transparency 45:11 Future of Fan Ownership 51:34 Financial Challenges and Governance 53:57 Conclusion

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