2005-06 WHAT ELSE...

● FC United of Manchester played their first competitive season in Division Two of the North West Counties League. The club was set up by a group of disgruntled Manchester United fans who were unhappy about the takeover of the club by American billionaire Malcom Glazer. The newly formed team enjoyed a successful first season as they raced to the league title.

● Conference side Altrincham were deducted an eye-watering 18 points after it was discovered midfielder James Robinson was ineligible to play. The FA ruled that Robinson, who had already represented Alty 13 times, did not have international clearance to play in England after a spell representing Icelandic side IBV.

● Despite their points deduction leaving them adrift at the foot of the Conference table, Altrincham were reprieved from relegation after Canvey Island resigned their place in the league. The Essex club took a voluntary demotion to Division One North of the Isthmian League after Jeff King scaled back his investment in the club. This represented the first of three seasons in which Altrincham finished inside the relegation zone but were spared demotion due to other clubs being forced out of the league because of financial issues.

● Conference side Burton Albion took part in one of the great FA Cup nights as they held Manchester United to a 0-0 draw at the newly built Pirelli Stadium. A star-studded United team consisting of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were left frustrated by Nigel Clough’s battling Brewers. ● York City frontman Andy Bishop topped the Conference scoring charts with 23. Bishop’s form was rewarded with a move to Bury.

● There was yet more heartbreak for England on the international stage as they were knocked out of the 2006 World Cup on penalty kicks against Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo ensured himself a lessthan-welcome return to England after appearing to wink towards the Portuguese bench after Wayne Rooney had been shown a red card.