'It’s a battle for football': Man Utd & FC United fans reunite to protest against Glazers, sit-in at derby next week
Manchester United fan group, The 1958, held a joint protest alongside FC United against the Glazers’ 20-year-old ownership of the Red Devils today, The Guardian report.
United have had a significant downfall over the past 12 years and the club are presently languishing 13th in the Premier League with just 37 points from 29 games.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe took control of the Red Devils last year after securing a majority stake (28.94 percent), but there have been no signs of any transformation at the club.
United currently have a staggering debt of £700 million and owe more than £300m in transfer fees. The club have also posted losses of £300m over the past three years.
This has largely come from the Glazers’ mishandling of the finances. They have been guilty of taking dividends in the past instead of investing the same into the club.
The 1958 have today staged a joint protest against the Glazers alongside non-league FC United, who were formed by unhappy United fans after Malcolm Glazer’s takeover in 2005.
Around 200 FC and United supporters gathered at Broadhurst Park before FC hosted Stockton Town in the Northern Premier League Premier Division. Anti-Glazer chants and songs were sung.
The 1958 also announced that they will stage a sit-in at next Sunday’s Manchester derby with Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Steve Crompton of the 1958 said: “Probably one of the most impactful [protests] was when we did the sit-in, and we will be running another against City. I don’t think everybody knows yet, but you do now.”
Ratcliffe and the Glazers recently ended all ticket concessions for children or seniors at United, meaning that the cheapest price entry will be £66 for the rest of the ongoing season.
FC’s chairman, Nick Boom criticised the unfair pricing of United’s tickets and added that the joint protest is ‘a battle for football’.
He said: “When we got around the table we had a lot in common at FC United with what The 1958 group are trying to achieve.
“They’re fighting for affordable [ticket] prices which means that people can get into games and they’re not priced out.
“Because some of our fan base might think: ‘Why are we reconnecting with United, it’s not our battle?’ But, actually, it’s a battle for football.
“It transcends football clubs. It’s about football fans.
“We stand with these guys, and we’ll get behind the charter around those sort of key pillars that we talked about, affordable football.”
Ratcliffe has control of football operations at United, but the Glazers still have the power to veto any decisions on player transfers as well as infrastructural updates.
United fans want the Glazers to sell their stake and move on. The increasing protests could eventually persuade them to end their association with the Red Devils.
Article written by Sri Aswin .