Source: Telegraph
Manchester United fans ready to make club ownership key issue of General Election
They are also intensifying discussions with the Red Knights, businessmen considering forming a consortium to buy out the Glazers.[LNB]United fans are even joining forces with their ancient rivals, Liverpool, to make club ownership a topic of debate on the campaign trail along with more usual Newsnight subjects like the economy, the environment and the war in Afghanistan. Football's hitting the hustings. Lobbying is already under way.[LNB] Related ArticlesFlamini wants a Champions League medal with MilanDavid Gill in fan rowSeedorf backs Beckham celebrationWayne Rooney branded 'antithesis' of David BeckhamGiggs eyes return for Champions League visit of MilanSport on televisionKnowing that football is such an important issue to millions of voters, politicians will rush to address fans' concerns from Old Trafford to Anfield and Fratton Park and down the pyramid from Cardiff to Chester, perhaps increasing the likelihood of pro-supporter legislation being passed in the new Parliament.[LNB]"There's a great deal going on behind the scenes in the political arena,'' said Richard Hytner, president of the 50,000-strong Manchester United Supporters Trust. [LNB]"Tony Lloyd MP [Manchester Central} has an early day motion that's gaining support and he held a debate last week in Parliament that had representatives from all sides insisting that Government must intervene. We believe that's just the tip of the iceberg. Imagine what could be achieved between now and the General Election if we can harness the collective power of supporters across the land particularly at clubs with large followings?" [LNB]Those in the boardrooms of clubs and footballing authorities who chose to dismiss the fans' movement as a gentle, unthreatening wave of dissent risk being caught out like King Canute. Fans' anger over leveraged debt, the increasing sophistication of supporters' methods, and the soapbox offered by the General Election, mean that this is a movement that must be taken seriously.[LNB]A public meeting has been called in Manchester for next week and there are plans to show further dissent towards the Glazers with season-ticket-holders encouraged to arrive 10 minutes after kick-off at the AC Milan home game. The green and gold anti-Glazer scarves have become a growing symbol of opposition.[LNB]"It's truly captured the imagination,'' Hytner added. "Millions of people feel loyalty beyond reason to Manchester United Football Club and the right owners will embrace and facilitate fans' desires to participate more actively in the club. [LNB]"Ours is not a case built on sentiment; it is based on commercial common sense. Loyal fans who love our club are worth a fortune and worthy of respect.'' [LNB]Along with chief executive Duncan Drasdo, Hytner is involved in discussions with the Red Knights. "They're United supporters to the core who only want what's best for our club,'' Hytner added. "There are a number of scenarios being explored, not least of which is how the fans can participate significantly in any new ownership structure.[LNB]"This isn't just about getting rid of the debt. It may be that some of it might have to remain in the company, at least in the short term. And it isn't just about getting rid of the Glazers either. It's about starting a new and prosperous chapter in United's history with supporters put at the heart of everything the club does.[LNB]"That's our goal. The more fans who band together in the Supporters' Trust, the greater collective say we can have in this process. Season ticketholders are crucially important, as are those with executive facilities at Old Trafford. More and more of them are joining us every day.'' [LNB]The financial equation for buying out the Glazers is complicated. How much profit do the Americans want? Will all those Red Knights who have expressed support open their wallets? Will other affluent fans put their money where their heart is? Do the Glazers want to sell anyway when they know United are the best money-generating football club in the world?[LNB]Supporters believe they need £400 million minimum to match what the Glazers paid out in their £270 million initial investment and the £200 million payment-in-kind loan, which assumes the Glazers will take into account the £70 million the fans allege they have already taken out. On top of that would be what the Glazers require in profit, and then addressing how much of the £500 million bond should be paid down.[LNB]United fans have been doing their figures. "Take 40-50 extremely wealthy individuals, each contributing £10 million-£15 million of their own money in cash that equals £400 million to £750 million,'' said a source involved in plans to buy out the Glazers. [LNB]"Say £575 million as a median figure. Take 75-100 wealthy individuals, each contributing £1 million -£2 million. That's £75 million to £200 million. Say around £125 million. That's £700 million. The fans could contribute to this pot in the form of signing up to a loan. For example: £250 million equals 50,000 fans at £1,000pa for five years."[LNB]Nirvana would be the Stretford End owning United. "The Red Knights could sell back some or all of their holdings incrementally to the fans over time,'' continued the source. "The season ticket holders have a crucial part to play but so do the worldwide fan base and other regular investors.'' [LNB]If this fans' movement is to succeed and rid Old Trafford of the Glazers, they have to live up to their name. They have to be United. Peering into the complex world of those who follow United is like a modern version of the Judean People's Liberation Front scene in Life Of Brian. There is MUST, IMUSA, FFW and MEC. There are the Outcasts and the Chubb Club.[LNB]It goes on. There are strong-voiced fanzines like Red News, Red Issue and United We Stand. There are groups such as Stretford End Flags, Old Trafford Supporters Club, Fight For United, Vocal Fans Campaign, Reds in Business. There are websites like Red Café and United Rant, let alone the breakaway team in FC United of Manchester.[LNB]"Our aim is to remain patient, focused, inclusive and unrelentingly positive, to grow in numbers and strength, and most of all to remain united," stressed Hytner. [LNB]"We're motivated by one thing and one thing alone our passionate undying love for the club.'' [LNB]On Valentine's Day, United fans' heart beats as strong as ever. [LNB]
