So, the bond issue has been taken up. The club is top of the Premier league once more. It seems there genuinely is some money to invest into new playing staff, even if Sir Alex won’t be using it this transfer window. Conditions are perfect for the majority of supporters to lapse into apathy, and put their heads back in the sand with regard to the Glazer ownership of the club. And yet at the weekend, the green and gold livery was out in force at Old Trafford. The protest was widely covered in the media, both in the written press and the TV coverage beamed across the world. Even Redcafe itself was mentioned on Talksport radio for its anti Glazer position, a site considered by some to be the most apathetic United forum when it comes to the current state of ownership. Not anymore.
In his program notes on Saturday, Sir Alex nailed his colours to the mast. He’s looking out for immediate first team affairs, and our chances of winning the title this season. Unconcerned by the Glazer ownership at least publically, he fears the impact a split amongst the fans could have on his side: “Some of our fans are clearly unhappy with the financial position, but we mustn’t allow the situation to become divisive. The danger, as I see it, is that we could be presented as being split, which would be harmful and inaccurate because I believe the vast majority of United fans are behind us and appreciate the importance of standing together in support of the team.”
Why though does Sir Alex think that supporters concerned by the Glazer ownership are anything other than ‘behind’ the team? Is it not blindingly obvious that supporters who take an interest in the future wellbeing of the club, and are prepared to do something to make that known, are fully behind supporting their team? They simple want to make sure there are future teams to get fully behind. When Sir Alex says: “We must remain loyal to the cause of Manchester United. The staff and players should be quite one-eyed about that, and stay true to the history of the club and all the work done by Sir Matt Busby and the other managers who have contributed to creating the great club we have at Old Trafford today.”; does he not realize that’s precisely what the supporters are doing?
The green and gold protest is an excellent idea. It’s highly visible, it’s peaceful, and it’s something all United supporters are able and willing to get involved with. On its own, of course it won’t actually instigate any change at the top. But it’s a start, and also a sure sign that lessons have been learnt from the initial opposition tactics of five years ago, when the club initially changed hands. Boycott uptake was relatively small. When push comes to shove, passionate United supporters want to watch the club regardless, and organizing a 70,000 boycott is nigh impossible. Those that went to follow FC were replaced – the Glazers don’t care who fills the stadium, just as long as the cash comes in. The intentions were laudable; the execution was not. The power of the supporters is in numbers, acting in a United manner. The current protest is the perfect way to get that ball rolling.
For those not yet converted to the cause, or who don’t fully understand what the big deal is, let me briefly summarize the situation. United were virtually debt free before the Glazers took over the club. Initially the opposition focused on rather unsavory anti-Yank sentiment, but it soon became clear just how much the Glazers were borrowing in order to purchase the club – a debt that has now risen to over £700million. The club has grown beyond even the Glazers seemingly over-optimistic initial projections in the five years since, higher turnover and generating more profit than ever before. And yet the vast majority of that profit is immediately sunk into debt servicing: not paying off the debt itself, rather paying off the interest it accumulates alone. Despite record success on the pitch, the debt has never stopped growing.
Obviously, this situation has implications for the team. The net spend since the Glazers took over is around the £10million mark, a paltry figure and no-where near the £25million+ they promised to spend per season. Season ticket prices have risen on average around 60%, pricing many supporters out, and vastly reducing demand to the point where it’s no longer a rarity to see United fail to achieve a full house. Obviously, prices would likely have increased anyway, but it’s the scale of raise that makes the eyes water. Before, the club could afford to keep prices lower than they perhaps ought to have been in relation to the rest of the top flight; not anymore. But ultimately, the greatest fear is that of the future of United. Where does the money come from in 2017, the current date set for the repayment of the main debt?
It’s disappointing hearing the likes of Sir Alex and Paddy Crerand, legends of the club, dismissing the anti-Glazer movement. Not unexpected, they are on the clubs current payroll after all, and it’s certainly a lot easier for someone like Lee Sharpe, a former player now unassociated with the club, to tell it like it really is. But take what they say with a pinch of salt; believe your own instincts, your own eyes, and your own ears. Understand that the Glazer opposition and resultant protest is borne out of a passionate concern for the long term wellbeing of this club. Get behind the momentum gathering campaigns, get involved. Wear your green and gold with pride!
