THOUSANDS MARCH AGAINST GLAZER

Last updated : 24 February 2005 By editor

From Guardian:

Several thousand Manchester United fans staged a noisy but peaceful anti-Malcolm Glazer march to Old Trafford before tonight's match against AC Milan.

The fans, carrying banners saying `Not Xenophobic But Glazerphobic', chanted songs attacking the American tycoon who is trying to take over the club, and some waved red flares en route to the stadium.

'We're not for sale' went one song, while another was 'Die Glazer Die'.

Glazer's backers are examining United's accounts ahead of a likely formal £800million takeover offer from the American billionaire.

Opponents hope the latest demonstration will hammer home their determination to keep the club out of private hands.

IMUSA's Mark Longden said:

'We wanted the demonstration to show that fans continue to oppose the Glazer and I was frankly overwhelmed by the response. The BBC have reported that here were five thousand on the march it felt like many more as the head of the march reached the forecourt at the top of Sir Matt Busby Way people were still leaving the cricket ground at the other end. If many more had turned up it would have been unmanageable.'

IMUSA pledges to continue the campaign against Glazer until he is finally seen off and has asked fans to sign its boycott petition, maintain the opposition Longden

'We would encourage as many people as possible to sign the petition on the IMUSA web site. We must maintain the pressure on Glazer, the petition is a great way to show that even if he does get his hands on the club then fans will continue the fight. His financial plans are flaky to say the least and his backers won't like the thought that they may not get their money back because fans will boycott sponsors and club merchandise.'

http://www.imusa.org/glazer/index.php