Manchester United fan forced to give up seat
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
A Manchester United FC fan of 74 years, Michael Carney, who is aged 81, is being forced to give up his seat in a prime position at Old Trafford, to give way for new corporate hospitality seats, as part of a drive to service the club's £1 billion (around €1.17 billion) debt.
His season ticket renewal letter this year included the following note from the club:
"We have identified a small number of general admission tickets directly adjacent to the home and away dugouts that will be converted to hospitality seats this summer.
"This reflects the high value of this unique location and will help to raise hospitality revenue to keep general admission Season Ticket prices lower. Your current seat is included within this block, and we will therefore need to find you an alternative seat for next season."
Carney has been sitting in the same seat since 1980, and the club is his life. He feels that they are now turning their back on him.
He expressed his feelings as follows:
"It is very sad after all these years. They could put you anywhere and I don't think you will be able to argue much. If you don't like it, clear off."
And he added:
"They are brilliant seats [and] mine is smack on the halfway line, midway between the dugouts and the directors' box.”
Manchester United is not the only English football club where this kind of thing is happening. Season ticket numbers are being chipped away at other Premier League clubs to target more lucrative tourist fans and other higher-priced hospitality packages.
Apart from Manchester United, there have also been demonstrations by Manchester City, Tottenham and West Ham fans, amongst others. Further demonstrations, including sit-ins, are also planned.
This is certainly one of the issues for the new UK Football Regulator, when appointed, to look into, one of his functions being to represent the interests of fans of the ‘beautiful game’!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
