Fans of FC United of Manchester have praised the football clubs new £6.3 million stadium in Moston.

Opened earlier this year, the Broadhurst Park stadium has a capacity for 4,400 people and was designed by IBI Group.

A groundbreaking 'community share scheme' with fans raised £2 million towards the cost of building the stadium.

Other social financing and crowdfunding initiatives also contributed towards the cost of the project.

Features of the stadium include the Boardwalk, a contemporary landscaped plaza approaching the main entrance flanked by two white towers.

Inside the facility, a 2,000-capacity steel frame East Stand terrace was developed using materials salvaged from the former Northwich Victoria stadium.

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The South Stand is designed in an L shaped configuration, which improves the internal atmosphere during a match and protects local residents from crowd noise. In addition, both the West and North stands have been built to accommodate future expansion proposals.

Other features includes conference and function rooms, a modern floodlit 3G pitch and two other grass pitches for community use.

FC United general manager Andy Walsh said: "We are delighted with the design of our new ground. It is covered on all sides and as requested by our members it has standing and seating in the main stand with a large and expansive home standing area behind the goal.

"Our architects at IBI Group played a crucial role in interpreting our members' requests for the ground and we are very pleased with the end outcome which shows what can be achieved when football fans with a vision work together with a specialist, professional team and make things happen.

"FC United's members were involved at every stage during the design and construction process and the result is a stadium and community facility that is the envy of many clubs in higher leagues and one that has been described as the best new non-league ground in the country."

FC United of Manchester is a supporter-owned club which plays in the Vanarama National League North.

(LM/MH)