Karen Matthews
17th May 2004, 00:14
NOT FOR SALE
The continued speculation during the 2003-2004 season, surrounding ownership of Manchester United and the activities of Cubic Expression and Malcolm Glazer in particular, led to the formation of an unprecedented coalition of supporters groups. IMUSA and Shareholders United along with Red Issue, Red News and United We Stand fanzines formed a united alliance in opposing the possibility of a take over and a return to private ownership. A press conference headed by representatives of all the above parties was very well received and gained a large degree of publicity and support. The leaflet drops at various home games were the largest undertaken by both IMUSA and SU and yet, again, extremely well received. The banner in the Stretford End provides a permanent reminder to would-be-suitors that United are “Not For Sale”.
It is difficult to gauge the success of the campaign in terms of whether it prevented a take-over, as the motives of those who increased their shareholdings, were and remain, unclear. However I firmly believe, and received anecdotal evidence supports this, that Magnier and McManus were staggered to witness the level of vociferous and organised opposition. I do not believe it a coincidence that their tactics changed (and similarly those of Malcolm Glazer since) once United supporters voiced their anger.
Indeed the most encouraging aspect of the whole campaign was the degree of support it had amongst fans. It is testament to the work of both organisations and of everyone who gives up their time for such campaigns, that we have such positive reaction from supporters.
Future ownership of the club is still unclear but I am confident that whoever may decide they want to buy Manchester United Football Club, they will have a well organised, vociferous fight on their hands.
IMUSA
With next season’s ticket price increases, the administration charge and the scandalously short time after the end of this season we have to renew our Season Tickets and LMTB’s, it is clear a great deal of work still has to be done to convince the club to adhere to supporters wishes.
However IMUSA have achieved a number of significant results this season.
The loyalty pot, whilst being far from perfect and still the subject of consternation, I believe is a vast improvement on the ‘lottery’ of pervious years and is the direct result of continued IMUSA lobbying over a number of years.
IMUSA, in conjunction with Charlton Athletic supporters and Football Club, managed to get our allocation increased for the game at The Valley, following their local authorities decision to significantly reduce it. A similar success was achieved for the Aston Villa cup game. Yet proving more work needs to be done, our arguments fell on deaf ears for the semi-final at the same ground.
United pleasingly listened to IMUSA’s suggestion that they should subsidise our tickets for the Northampton cup game. A gesture that was very much appreciated, but one that we could argue was the least they could have done after agreeing to Northampton’s price increase in the first place. Nevertheless it is unlikely that previous regimes would have even listened to IMUSA’s proposal, not least implemented it.
IMUSA also lobbied hard that the proposed semi-final switch to Cardiff should take place. Again it is encouraging that we were listened to and that our intervention helped prevent such a move.
The leaking of the Trafford Council Safety Report gave the media some tasty headlines. But beneath the ‘glamorous’ stories of safety risks for supporters there are real areas of substance that IMUSA hopes will finally allow us to fight reduced allocations based on the spurious grounds of persistent standing and also develop the safestanding argument further.
IMUSA have also this season, made a number of representations to varying groups with varying degrees of success. From the Premier League to the All Party Football Group. From UEFA to the PFA. We aim to continue the dialogue, despite often having our pleas rejected.
Finally I’d like to thank everyone who has helped this season. I believe we have achieved a great deal over the last twelve months. The degrees of success we have obtained is testament to the dedication and great deal of hard work of a whole host of people. Particular thanks to Sean and Oliver with their help with the media during Not For Sale. And to my opposite number Jonathan Michie for helping co-ordinate the campaign.
Jules Spencer
IMUSA Chair & ‘Not For Sale’ Co-ordinator
Report to Shareholders United AGM. May 2004
The continued speculation during the 2003-2004 season, surrounding ownership of Manchester United and the activities of Cubic Expression and Malcolm Glazer in particular, led to the formation of an unprecedented coalition of supporters groups. IMUSA and Shareholders United along with Red Issue, Red News and United We Stand fanzines formed a united alliance in opposing the possibility of a take over and a return to private ownership. A press conference headed by representatives of all the above parties was very well received and gained a large degree of publicity and support. The leaflet drops at various home games were the largest undertaken by both IMUSA and SU and yet, again, extremely well received. The banner in the Stretford End provides a permanent reminder to would-be-suitors that United are “Not For Sale”.
It is difficult to gauge the success of the campaign in terms of whether it prevented a take-over, as the motives of those who increased their shareholdings, were and remain, unclear. However I firmly believe, and received anecdotal evidence supports this, that Magnier and McManus were staggered to witness the level of vociferous and organised opposition. I do not believe it a coincidence that their tactics changed (and similarly those of Malcolm Glazer since) once United supporters voiced their anger.
Indeed the most encouraging aspect of the whole campaign was the degree of support it had amongst fans. It is testament to the work of both organisations and of everyone who gives up their time for such campaigns, that we have such positive reaction from supporters.
Future ownership of the club is still unclear but I am confident that whoever may decide they want to buy Manchester United Football Club, they will have a well organised, vociferous fight on their hands.
IMUSA
With next season’s ticket price increases, the administration charge and the scandalously short time after the end of this season we have to renew our Season Tickets and LMTB’s, it is clear a great deal of work still has to be done to convince the club to adhere to supporters wishes.
However IMUSA have achieved a number of significant results this season.
The loyalty pot, whilst being far from perfect and still the subject of consternation, I believe is a vast improvement on the ‘lottery’ of pervious years and is the direct result of continued IMUSA lobbying over a number of years.
IMUSA, in conjunction with Charlton Athletic supporters and Football Club, managed to get our allocation increased for the game at The Valley, following their local authorities decision to significantly reduce it. A similar success was achieved for the Aston Villa cup game. Yet proving more work needs to be done, our arguments fell on deaf ears for the semi-final at the same ground.
United pleasingly listened to IMUSA’s suggestion that they should subsidise our tickets for the Northampton cup game. A gesture that was very much appreciated, but one that we could argue was the least they could have done after agreeing to Northampton’s price increase in the first place. Nevertheless it is unlikely that previous regimes would have even listened to IMUSA’s proposal, not least implemented it.
IMUSA also lobbied hard that the proposed semi-final switch to Cardiff should take place. Again it is encouraging that we were listened to and that our intervention helped prevent such a move.
The leaking of the Trafford Council Safety Report gave the media some tasty headlines. But beneath the ‘glamorous’ stories of safety risks for supporters there are real areas of substance that IMUSA hopes will finally allow us to fight reduced allocations based on the spurious grounds of persistent standing and also develop the safestanding argument further.
IMUSA have also this season, made a number of representations to varying groups with varying degrees of success. From the Premier League to the All Party Football Group. From UEFA to the PFA. We aim to continue the dialogue, despite often having our pleas rejected.
Finally I’d like to thank everyone who has helped this season. I believe we have achieved a great deal over the last twelve months. The degrees of success we have obtained is testament to the dedication and great deal of hard work of a whole host of people. Particular thanks to Sean and Oliver with their help with the media during Not For Sale. And to my opposite number Jonathan Michie for helping co-ordinate the campaign.
Jules Spencer
IMUSA Chair & ‘Not For Sale’ Co-ordinator
Report to Shareholders United AGM. May 2004