A key late-season league match between FC United of Manchester and Stockton Town has become embroiled in controversy after being moved from FC United’s home ground to a neutral venue - triggering intense frustration among fans and an investigation into the conduct of Northern Premier League chairman Mark Harris.
The encounter originally scheduled at FC United’s Broadhurst Park ground was rearranged for Tuesday 21 April and relocated to Curzon Ashton FC’s Tameside Stadium after repeated postponements due to poor pitch conditions at Broadhurst Park. The club and supporters had hoped to play the match on home soil, arguing it could influence the title race and provide a crucial advantage, especially with FC United trailing the leaders by just a couple of points and holding a game in hand.
Despite FC United’s proposal for alternative arrangements - including inspecting the Broadhurst Park surface closer to the date and switching only if necessary - the Northern Premier League Board of Directors opted for a neutral venue on the grounds of avoiding further postponements as the season draws to a close.
The club’s chairman described the decision as disappointing, highlighting the financial and sporting impact of losing a home fixture, especially in such a tightly contested part of the campaign.
The relocation ignited strong reactions among sections of the FC United supporter base, who felt the decision was unfair and lacked adequate consultation. One supporter, Aled Duckfield, contacted NPL chairman Mark Harris directly to express his displeasure -describing the move as “diabolical” and questioning the governance behind it.
What happened next intensified the situation. Duckfield shared an email he received in response, allegedly sent from Harris’s official league address. The message reportedly included profane language, telling the supporter to “go f** yourself.”*
The exchange, shared widely on social media, drew widespread attention and raised questions about professional conduct and how league officials should interact with fans, particularly in high-pressure scenarios.
I’m shocked by this response to my email from the Chair of The @NorthernPremLge and member of the @FA Council
Is this an acceptable way for those in power to speak to football supporters who express genuine concerns?@FCUnitedMcr @WeAreTheFSA pic.twitter.com/JEw1SKLFt9
— Aled Duckfield (@duckiex14) April 9, 2026
Following the incident, both the Northern Premier League and the The Football Association confirmed they are looking into the matter. Harris is reported to have notified the FA of the situation himself. The FA has acknowledged an ongoing investigation but has declined further comment while the matter is under review.
The NPL confirmed it has convened an urgent meeting to assess the incident and determine any next steps, describing the issue as serious and requiring formal consideration.
Mark Harris has been a long-standing figure in non-league football administration, including roles on FA governance boards. The controversy has prompted some supporters to call for clearer standards of communication and conduct from officials, especially when decisions directly affect supporter experience and club fortunes.
For FC United fans, the focus remains on ensuring their team can compete on the pitch while also holding governing bodies to account off it. The match at Curzon Ashton now represents a crucial piece of their season - and the context around it has sparked a broader conversation about professionalism and transparency in the game’s grassroots tier.
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