Small shareholders are targeted
From Saturday's Independent:
SUPPORTERS ORGANISATIONS MOBILISE
By Editor
Updated Sunday, 22nd February 2004
‘Manchester United fans will ask all small shareholders to sign a
pledge not to sell their shares in an attempt to ward off
any potential takeover of the club.
pledge not to sell their shares in an attempt to ward off
any potential takeover of the club.
‘Representatives from Shareholders United, the Independent
Manchester United Supporters Association, plus fanzines Red
Issue, Red News and United We Stand were joined by the
Manchester Central MP Tony Lloyd yesterday in a show of
unity.
Manchester United Supporters Association, plus fanzines Red
Issue, Red News and United We Stand were joined by the
Manchester Central MP Tony Lloyd yesterday in a show of
unity.
"Football is not a commodity to be bought and sold like baked
beans," said Lloyd. "The game belongs to the fans. They are
the emotional and moral lifeblood every club is built
around, not mere customers who can choose to shop elsewhere
if they don't like what they see. This is not just an
argument for Manchester United. What is happening here could
happen anywhere."
beans," said Lloyd. "The game belongs to the fans. They are
the emotional and moral lifeblood every club is built
around, not mere customers who can choose to shop elsewhere
if they don't like what they see. This is not just an
argument for Manchester United. What is happening here could
happen anywhere."
‘It is estimated that 17 per cent of the club's shares are owned by
fans which, if grouped together, would prove a hefty
disincentive for anyone trying to purchase a majority stake
because of company regulations regarding public
accountability. All the shareholders will be sent letters
asking them to sign a form confirming they will not sell up
as the battle against Glazer and Cubic intensifies.
fans which, if grouped together, would prove a hefty
disincentive for anyone trying to purchase a majority stake
because of company regulations regarding public
accountability. All the shareholders will be sent letters
asking them to sign a form confirming they will not sell up
as the battle against Glazer and Cubic intensifies.
‘Supporters have also been quick to dispel the theory that Glazer
is emerging as the good guy in the battle, suggesting they
will be prepared to take the fight to the American
billionaire's doorstep over the next few months.
is emerging as the good guy in the battle, suggesting they
will be prepared to take the fight to the American
billionaire's doorstep over the next few months.
‘"The team are on tour in the United States next summer and it's
not too difficult to get a flight from New York to Miami,"
said PJ O'Neill of the famous Red Issue fanzine.’
not too difficult to get a flight from New York to Miami,"
said PJ O'Neill of the famous Red Issue fanzine.’
Meanwhile Mark Longden, spokesman for the Independent Manchester
United Supporters Association has warned fans around the
country of the danger of United being taken over:
United Supporters Association has warned fans around the
country of the danger of United being taken over:
“The disparity in competition that extra revenue would bring would
lead naturally to a European Super League and from there
three or four teams playing against each other. None of us
wants that situation to arise but that is the very real
prospect if someone takes over Manchester United who is only
interested in making profit."
lead naturally to a European Super League and from there
three or four teams playing against each other. None of us
wants that situation to arise but that is the very real
prospect if someone takes over Manchester United who is only
interested in making profit."
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