Time fans now united to take some control
FARCE SHOWS SUPPORTERS CAN’T BE TREATED LIKE THIS AGAIN
SIR Alex Ferguson’s decision to break ranks at United on Sunday and subtly condemn plans for a European Super League are to be applauded, but there will be more than a few United fans wondering how this might have played out had he not been such a staunch advocate of the Glazer family in the first place.
Ferguson was a consistent backer of the American owners, calling them ‘marvellous’ and ‘great’ as he tried to help quell fan protests. Even as he closed in on retirement he said: “I think the majority of real fans will look at it realistically and say it’s not affecting the team.”
The fact is Ferguson’s support for the Glazer family was a useful shield for them. He was trusted implicitly by United supporters and it’s understandable so many would see little reason to protest against ownership the legendary manager was enthused by.
So when the more militant United supporters have generated momentum before against an ownership model that has actually saddled the club with huge debts and been paid millions in dividends it hasn’t always been maintained.
The green and gold campaign was the most eye-catching, but forcing unwanted owners out of a football club can often be a long game.
Now, the tide must surely have turned.
While protests have come and gone before, the noise over the Glazers is likely to be relentless when Old Trafford’s turnstiles click open once again. Now United have succumbed to the wishes of managers, players and supporters and backed away from the greed of the ESL, the anger being directed at Joel Glazer is unlikely to die down.
Amongst supporters of the American-owned members of the six Premier League clubs, this show of treachery won’t give way to a return to normality.
United, Liverpool and Arsenal supporters will know that the Glazers, FSG and Stan Kroenke were at the heart of these plans and even if though they didn’t get their own way this time, they will try again soon and they won’t rest until they have fundamentally altered the concept of football in this country.
There’s a sizeable number of United fans who have always wanted the Glazers out.
Since Sunday, banners declaring ‘FSG out’ have been appearing at Anfield and Arsenal fans made their feelings to Kroenke clear at the Emirates on Monday night.
The question now is how to force matters. One thing is for sure, boycotts don’t work. The owners of these clubs would be perfectly happy if a dissenter gave up his ticket, allowing someone without such strong feelings to take their seat. It would make life easier for Glazer, Henry and Kroenke.
What the outrage that has poured out over the previous 48 hours should really do is bring fans back together. All clubs have a supporters trust of some form now. This should be the warning they require to work more closely together going forward.
While firing barbs at rival fans is part of the joy of football, it’s important to remember that regulars at Old Trafford, Anfield and the Emirates have far more in common with each other than the silent suits
sitting on the other side of the Atlantic who are trying to alter the very nature of their sport.
It should be what unites fans that is remembered now, not what divides.
Imagine the good that can come from a more consistent fans voice. Let’s put the whataboutery that has perpetrated some corners of social media since Monday to bed and discover a collective voice.
Social media can highlight unity when it comes to causes such as this, but it always creates division as well.
City fans can’t talk, their club helped to create this problem. Ander Herrera’s one to comment, he’s paid by Qatari-inspired PSG. Gary Neville’s paid by Sky Sports, well of course they would be against it. We don’t live in a perfect world, now is not the time to tell people their voice counts for less.
Whether it’s about making sure the ESL never returns, forcing a change of ownership at their club, getting fans a voice around the boardroom table or more day-today issues, such as ticketing and TV schedules, if one good thing can come from this greedy money grab it should be a mutiny amongst football fans.
For too long they’ve been taken for granted. Forget that ‘Football is nothing without fans’ banner at Old Trafford. That’s a marketing gimmick, not what the owners of Manchester United really think.
But football isn’t their game, it’s ours, it’s yours. This should be the moment that fans make sure they’re never treated like disposable commodities ever again.