Update: ‘Powerful’ – FC United send membership card to Eric Cantona after Man United legend makes decision News

Eric Cantona has signed up as a member of FC United and the club have sent a membership card to the former Manchester United forward.

FC United have sent a membership card to Eric Cantona and his family after the Frenchman signed up to join the club during his recent visit to Broadhurst Park.

The Manchester United legend visited the club in early April as part of a private event but after getting a tour of the facilities and an introduction to FC United, he left by pledging to become a member, which makes him a co-owner of the protect club. Cantona also signed up his four children and two brothers.

FC United have now printed Cantona’s membership card and sent it out to the Frenchman, with Nick Boom, FC United chair, calling the 58-year-old’s endorsement a “powerful” moment for the fan ownership movement.

“Having Eric Cantona and his family join our club is a huge moment,” said Boom. “It’s a powerful endorsement of fan ownership, and a reminder that football can be run differently — with people, community and purpose at its heart.”

FC United were formed in 2005 by Manchester United fans who were disillusioned by the Glazers takeover at Old Trafford. They celebrate their 20th anniversary this year and now play in the Northern Premier League.

The club is run by its members on a ‘one member, one vote’ basis, with members voting on all major decisions affecting the running of the club.

Speaking during his visit to Broadhurst Park and explaining his decision to become a member, Cantona said: “The Cantona family are all members of FC United. All the people from all around the world should be members of FC United.”

An FC United spokesman added: “His words captured the very essence of what FC United stands for — a club built by its fans, for its fans.”

Cantona will get to see the club he now co-owns compete in Europe as soon as next month. FC United have again reached the semi-finals of the Fenix Trophy, an invite-only European competition for clubs with a particular community or social aspect.

They will face fellow Greater Manchester side Avro in the semi-final on the shores of Lake Iseo in Italy on May 10. The other semi-final sees Berchem Sport of Belgium go up against Scottish outfit Caledonian Braves. The final will take place the following day.

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