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Majority shareholder of Manchester United Joel Glazer has responded to a statement read by fans in last Friday’s Fans’ Forum, in which demands for reform were made to the club’s owners and board.
The deadline the fans gave for a response to their letter was today and Glazer has duly obliged. The letter has been sent to all members by email in a club statement.
Glazer’s response is apologetic and in it he acknowledges that changes need to be made. However, he speaks of ‘commitment’ to address issues without going into any specific details of what those changes might entail.
‘I was personally humbled … as you explained so clearly why our initial support for the European Super League left you feeling angry and let down. I would like to reiterate my sincere apology for the mistakes that were made.
‘In particular, I want to acknowledge the need for change, with deeper consultation with you as our main fan representative body across a range of important issues, including the competitions we play in.
‘We also recognise the importance of fan and football interests being embedded in key decision-making processes at every level of the club, and we are open to constructive discussions on how to reinforce that principle.’
This latter point suggests a similar approach to that of Chelsea, who recently announced that fan representatives would be allowed to attend board meetings, although they would not have voting powers.
‘We recognise that we will need to significantly increase investment in Old Trafford and our training complex to ensure that the club’s facilities remain among the best in Europe. As part of this, we will consult with fans on investments related to the stadium and the matchday experience,’ Glazer continued.
‘We believe in the principle of fans owning shares in the club. We have previously engaged with the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust on fan share ownership and we want to continue and accelerate those discussions.
‘We recognise that the Government-initiated, fan-led review of football is a positive opportunity to explore new structures for fan engagement and influence. I can assure you that we will willingly and openly engage in the review, with the aim of putting fans at the heart of the game and ensuring their interests are advanced and protected.’
Glazer also pledged to attend a meeting with fans as soon as the season is over.
It is expected that most fans will be cynical about the contents of the letter and feel that it is nothing but a set of vague promises to calm the waters at this troubled time.
Saying definitively that fans would be allowed to attend board meetings, as Chelsea have done, or pledging a specific amount to go into improving the club’s facilities would have been something on which to base a dialogue going forward, but Glazer has failed to do even that.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether any meat will be added to these bones at the promised meeting but for now, the letter offers little, if anything, to the angry fanbase of Manchester United.
The full text reads as follows:
‘Dear fan representatives
Thank you for your letter dated April 30, sent in your capacity as representatives of Manchester United fans. I read the contents closely and your love and passion for the club came across very clearly.
I want to salute your service to the Fans’ Forum, which I know is a vital channel for consultation between the club and our fans. As I recently stated publicly, I am personally committed to ensuring that we strengthen this relationship in future.
Your heartfelt letter captured the unique spirit of Manchester United, forged through decades of triumph, adversity and tragedy, and still powerfully present in today’s exciting team under Ole and the vibrant fanbase which you represent.
I was personally humbled by parts of your letter, as you explained so clearly why our initial support for the European Super League left you feeling angry and let down. I would like to reiterate my sincere apology for the mistakes that were made.
In particular, I want to acknowledge the need for change, with deeper consultation with you as our main fan representative body across a range of important issues, including the competitions we play in. We also recognise the importance of fan and football interests being embedded in key decision-making processes at every level of the club, and we are open to constructive discussions on how to reinforce that principle.
We remain committed to working with the wider football community to make the game stronger and more sustainable over the long-term, and we will now refocus our efforts on doing this within the existing structures of UEFA and the Premier League.
In addition, I want to reassure you that my family and I care deeply about Manchester United and feel a profound sense of responsibility to protect and enhance its strength for the long-term, while respecting its values and traditions.
Our top priority is, and will always be, competing for the most important trophies, playing entertaining football with a team comprised of top-quality recruits and some of the world’s best homegrown talent. Under Ole, we feel we are absolutely on the right track.
Success on the field must be underpinned by solid foundations off it. We have supported sustained investment in the team over many years, and that will continue this summer.
We recognise that we will need to significantly increase investment in Old Trafford and our training complex to ensure that the club’s facilities remain among the best in Europe. As part of this, we will consult with fans on investments related to the stadium and the matchday experience.
Indeed, one of the clearest lessons of the past few weeks is the need for us to become better listeners. To this end, I can commit the club will engage across all of the issues raised in your letter.
To highlight some specific points, as one of the few European football clubs listed on the public markets, we believe in the principle of fans owning shares in the club. We have previously engaged with the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust on fan share ownership and we want to continue and accelerate those discussions, together with provisions to enhance associated fan consultation.
We recognise that the Government-initiated, fan-led review of football is a positive opportunity to explore new structures for fan engagement and influence. I can assure you that we will willingly and openly engage in the review, with the aim of putting fans at the heart of the game and ensuring their interests are advanced and protected.
These commitments are a starting point for further dialogue, including all the specific points you raised, rather than final proposals.
We want to work together to come up with an ambitious package of measures which will transform our relationship with fans and strengthen the club for the long-term. In this spirit, we will reach out to members of the forum to schedule a meeting in which I shall participate as soon as possible after the final game of the season.
Thank you again for your work for the forum and your passion for the club. I look forward to meeting you and in the meantime let’s look forward to a successful end to the season.
With best regards
Joel Glazer
Executive Co-Chairman and Director
Whatsapp: 08130162561
Email: Teeloadedblog@gmail.com
| Article Name | Word for word: what Joel Glazer said today in response to Man United fans' forum |
| Description |
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| Author Name | Candyboy |
| Published On | May 07, 2021 |
| Post Category |
Man Utd
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