To those who claimed crowd disturbances achieve nothing, the gutless excuse for modern football fans, it is my pleasure to inform the world of behind the scenes moves which have been taking place.
Over the last couple of weeks representatives of Manchester United Supporters Trust have attended meetings with the British Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the CEO of the Premier League and the President of UEFA – all at their request. According to MUST:
the pendulum has swung, they now want to listen both to our concerns and our solutions. Some clubs are starting to offer changes that they never would previously (but nowhere near sufficient in this new world). We intend to capitalise on this.
The statement continues:
since the collapse of the Super League plans last month, the campaign has really been turbo-charged and we have the best chance we’ve ever had to put supporters back at the heart of the game where we belong.
The government is in the process of setting up its Fan-Led Review and we’re expecting more announcements in the coming days in terms of who will be involved in that review and what it will be looking at. Rest assured, we will be lobbying the Review Panel hard and see it as a key opportunity to put pressure on both the Glazers and on football as a whole.
This is an example of football fans in action at least getting some kind of hearing, how genuine this hearing is remains to be seen. Personally, I’m a sceptic, but it will do no harm looking at what they have to offer, if anything. There must be something there for MUST to be continuing engaging in discussions. The question is, are the authorities buying themselves time, hoping the campaign will fizzle out? If that is their objective, they may well be disappointed. Another crowd demonstration is planned for United’s home game against Fulham on Tuesday evening, when up to ten thousand fans will be inside the ground, legally this time!
The disturbances caused by the Man Utd fans has also forced the Glazers, for the first time in sixteen years, to respond to the demands made by MUST in an open letter. Joel Glazer replied offering to open talks with the supporter’s organisation on a share ownership scheme which is one of MUST's long standing objectives as an organisation. Of course, the supporters' trust is sceptical about the Glazers motivations, they are not honest people otherwise they would not be billionaires. Only crooks and exploiters reach that level - the Glazers could be described as both. Why now after years of overseeing years of decline?
The disturbances caused by the Man Utd fans has also forced the Glazers, for the first time in sixteen years, to respond to the demands made by MUST in an open letter. Joel Glazer replied offering to open talks with the supporter’s organisation on a share ownership scheme which is one of MUST's long standing objectives as an organisation. Of course, the supporters' trust is sceptical about the Glazers motivations, they are not honest people otherwise they would not be billionaires. Only crooks and exploiters reach that level - the Glazers could be described as both. Why now after years of overseeing years of decline?
It is worthy of note that at Man Utd there are two types of shares, A and B with the latter carrying the voting rights and are held by the Glazers. A class shares, despite their alphabetical preference, carry very limited powers and rights to vote. Beware we are not offered a substantial number of worthless A class shares! To clarify this is the first time ever direct communication with the fans representatives has been made by the Glazers. Sixteen years of ignorance, lies, robbery and deceit has gone on at Old Trafford and for some this is too little too late. For others it is what they have wanted, making the demonstrations worthwhile.
On the last note I do not think anybody can disagree that the demonstrations by Man United fans have paid dividends. Even if semi-riotous behaviour was needed, it has worked or so it would appear. Some may say, or try to say the protests have had no bearing whatsoever on these events. To them there is only one answer, don’t make excuses for your own cowardice. It is no coincidence that the Glazers and, more importantly for football as a whole the British PM, Leader of the Opposition, the CEO of the Premier League and President of UEFA have requested a meeting. That is the important bit, the meetings are taking place, and have been over the last couple of weeks, at their request.
It might not be back to the heady days of the 1970s but by the standards of today’s football fans it is an achievement to say the least. Let’s look forward with confidence at the outcome of these discussions as Man United fans once again lead the way, which is not to say other football clubs' supporters demonstrations have not contributed, especially in the demise [temporarily or otherwise] of the European Super League, because they have. All supporters who have contributed at all the clubs involved deserve credit. United fans just went that bit further and deserve some extra credit for that.
It might not be back to the heady days of the 1970s but by the standards of today’s football fans it is an achievement to say the least. Let’s look forward with confidence at the outcome of these discussions as Man United fans once again lead the way, which is not to say other football clubs' supporters demonstrations have not contributed, especially in the demise [temporarily or otherwise] of the European Super League, because they have. All supporters who have contributed at all the clubs involved deserve credit. United fans just went that bit further and deserve some extra credit for that.
The outcome remains to be seen. For me, nothing short of complete fan ownership will suffice, which almost certainly will not be on the table. Nevertheless, half a loaf is better than no bread at all, and it goes to show pressure groups and resistance does work. Aim for the stars and reach the moon, so to speak, is better than aiming for the moon and only reaching base camp of Everest! Onwards and upwards forever and ever!!
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Caoimhin O’Muraile is a Dublin based Marxist and author. |
Caoimhin - that is an interesting development. The thing now is not to be invited into the director's box!! That is where radicalism will quickly come off the rails!
ReplyDeleteThe formation of and the activities of Supporters Trusts have been heart-warming developments. Exeter City are controlled by a Supporters Trust; there may be other Football and National League clubs as well. As Caoimhin has explained, they are changing the conversation about how football should be run in England and are getting the ear of football administrators and politicians.
ReplyDeleteBarry
ReplyDeleteFor the record, FC United of Manchester are owned exclusively by the fans/co. Owners. We are run on democratic principles of one member one vote. Checks and balances in our constitution ensures no fat cat with a few bob can subvert where we stand. We opposse all out comercialisn and no sponsors are on our shirts, like sixties and seventies football shirts.
I doubt very, very much such a variant of ownership will be on the table during these talks, and neither will MUST be asking for such a model. As far as it goes, fan pressure has worked and new models of football club management and ownership is at least on the table. At FCUM we stormed ahead back in 2005. All that said, the maxim remains; "two Uniteds just one soul, as the Busby Babes carry on".
No chance, Anthony, of us being invited into the directors box!!!!!
Caoimhin O'Muraile.