‘Prominent Manchester United fans' groups have called for supporters to boycott Saturday's Premiership match against West Bromwich Albion. The "Not For Sale Coalition", comprising the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association, Shareholders United, plus the Red Devils' three major fanzines, is backing the call as it cranks up its campaign against Malcolm Glazer's takeover bid.
‘Apart from sending a signal to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner that supporters do not want to be part of a club he owns, the group also believes it will be sending a message to the board emphasising the widespread disgust at recent ticket price rises.
‘"This is the last Saturday matchday opportunity for supporters to let any potential new owners, and the current board, know that supporters’ loyalty can not be taken for granted," said the IMUSA chairman, Jules Spencer. "We realise it's asking a lot for people who have bought tickets not to use them, but we feel we have to take a stand, not only on Glazer, but also on the current board's obscene ticket price rises."
‘Supporters who do not wish to take the ultimate step of refusing to enter Old Trafford have been asked to join a protest march to the stadium which leaves the nearby cricket ground 45 minutes before kick-off.
‘Two previous marches, prior to the Arsenal and Milan games this season, have been major successes, showing the depth of opposition to Glazer's potential among rank-and-file supporters. What the demonstrations have not managed to do is put the 78-year-old's ambitions to own the club on hold.’
The MEN:
‘Manchester United fans have made a renewed boycott plea to fans ahead of this weekend's clash with West Brom. United's final Old Trafford Premiership Saturday match of the season comes 10 days before the American tycoon's `put up or shut up' takeover deadline expires.
‘Reds' supporters `Not For Sale' coalition will use the fixture as a final opportunity to demonstrate their opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner's efforts to land the club. The protests will also double up as a demonstration against recent Old Trafford season ticket price hikes.
‘The `Not For Sale Coalition' comprises the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association (IMUSA), Shareholders United, plus the Red Devils' three major fanzines. The protest march under the banner: `No Customers - No Profit' will leave Lancashire's Old Trafford cricket ground 45 minutes before kick-off.
‘Two previous marches, prior to the Arsenal and AC Milan games this season, have been major successes, showing the depth of opposition to Glazer amongst rank and file Reds fans. IMUSA spokesman Mark Longden said: "It is the last chance to show Glazer what we think of him before the deadline.
‘"But it is also a wider protest over the issue of ticket price increases. We have been inundated with complaints from long-standing United fans about the price hikes. Some are having to shell out 24 per cent more next season for their season tickets. At half-time during one recent match I heard two lads asking: `Why are we fighting Glazer when the current board is putting prices up?'