FCUM ALL (Manchester United F.C.)

Member Name: thebreakfastclub

Product:	Manchester United F.C.
Date:	14/08/05 (485 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: W A T P O A E

Disadvantages: Mr Glazer

Today, in a small town in Staffordshire, 2590 people witnessed an historic football match. Leek Civil Service Old Boys Vs FC United of Manchester. FC United won 5-2, with some tidy play from a Scouser named Steve Torpey, Rory "The man with no name" Patterson, and England's partially sited XI's number one goalkeeper with 20-20 vision, Barrie George. Last season, Leek CSOB's average gate was less than 100 and an all ticket affair in the Moore and Co Solicitors' North West Counties League Division Two was unheard of. Six weeks ago, however, a new football club was formed, accepted into a league and we've not looked back.

All because on Thursday the 12th of May 2005, a football club died. When Malcolm Glazer plundged his £500 million of borrowed money into Manchester United and secured the debts against the club's assets with his "damaging and aggressive business plan", I decided I can't give any money to his business. I haven't severed all my ties with the club, that's impossible - but I believe that football should be about football, not lining one man's pockets. From now on, the money a Manchester United supporter gives to Glazer does not go back into developing the club. And for a club of Manchester United's stature, that's a sad thing. Even in recent years, as a PLC, most of the money made from the club went back into the club. Shareholder dividends and the like were of a small percentage compared to the amount of money that flowed into the development of the team - the transfer kitty, encouraging local youth to play and watch, and making sure that Manchester United remained Manchester United, that the history and traditions of the club were remembered. Playing football the Manchester United way. Now, every penny goes into paying off debts - an end of season, third placed winning goal or is not for the enjoyment of the fans. It's to ensure the club are in Europe so it gets a slice of the television revenue, so Mr Glazer can pay off his overdraft. When he gives his manager a bit of dosh for the transfer kitty, it's not to ensure he buys the World's best winger or centre forward so that football is played in the traditional way of the club, it's so he'll get a return in two years time. And if all fails? He'll accept bids for our best players and sell the naming rights to Old Trafford. It's hard to justify putting money in to that business.

But FC United isn't just about that. There are other reasons - there are more problems with Manchester United and football in the upper tiers of football in general. Fans are being priced out of the game and each season applying for tickets gets more and more ridiculous. You have to apply six weeks in advance and the only possible methods now are on the internet or over the phone with a debit or credit card - it's almost impossible for young kids to go and see their heroes. Old Trafford has an ageing population - you don't see many groups of young people - not suprising seeing as it's almost impossible for kids to get tickets near their friends. The stadium has turned into a false arena - it's not as quiet as away fans make out (the sound problems are because of the way the roof slopes down, not due to the lack of vocal support) but regulations such as no standing makes it very difficult to get a decent atmosphere.

For me, another reason is the players. I love the likes of Scholes and Ole Solskjaer to bits, but when your centre back is demanding £100,000 a week it can get very tiresome. Yes, you want the best deal you can - but football isn't any old job - you like to see loyalty from your players, not lads who stick two fingers up at the supporters when the going gets a bit tough. When players appreciate that it took me 91 hours work to pay for a season ticket last year, maybe they'll realise that we've got a right to be a little dissatisfied.

Therefore, I'll be supporting a new football club. I am not switching allegiences. I'll be fighting for Manchester United with FC United. It's a not for profit organisation, run by the fans, for the fans. Every founder member gets a vote, we've elected the board, chosen the name and the badge. And the £100,000 that was donated by fans at the beginning of the season all goes back into FC United - to ensure it survives and develops. And after today I'm sure it will - we've got a ground (Bury FC's stadium), a strong, well known non league player for a manager (Karl Marginson), decent players, a good (and arrogantly witty) following and everyone's working hard.

FCUM - The Revolution.

Summary: FCUM - Fan owned football clubs