 David Conn talks about commercialism in football Local businessmen like James Gibson helped make our club what it is and became as much a part of the Manchester United legend as the managers and players. The long period of responsible stewardship ended when Martin Edwards tried to sell his inheritance from his father Louis to rogues and fantasists like Robert Maxwell and Michael Knighton. When that didn’t get him the cash he was desperate for he formed a holding company, Manchester United PLC and listed it on the stock market. Rupert Murdoch tried a takeover but was stopped by the fans. Magnier and McManus fell out with the manager and sold their shareholding to Malcolm Glazer on May 12th 2005. Red Football de-listed Manchester United PLC from the stock exchange soon after.
Manchester United Football Club, with it’s proud history and traditions now exists solely to provide the Glazer family with enough money to pay back the ONE BILLION DOLLARS they had to borrow to buy the Club from anyone who would lend it to them. As ticket prices are increased, spending on players goes down and this is wrong. Manchester United fans are not cows to be milked for their cash and they are fighting to drive the Glazer family out.
MUST holds the money fans used to have when they were shareholders in the PLC. This is to be used when the Glazers’ plans fail and the Club comes up for sale again. FCUM keeps the disenfranchised and their sense of belonging to Manchester United Football Club together. This fans’ owned football club has found fame in the lower reaches of English football and provides the model for the way MUFC should be owned in the future. Outside these organisations, there are individuals who are taking their own action to keep the fight against the Glazers in the public eye. This website is a record of their achievements. |
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