‘These leeches need to go’
A Manchester United supporters group have staged a protest against the Glazer family’s ownership outside the club’s London offices.
The 1958, a recently formed group whose members coordinated a series of protest marches before United games, visited the offices in Mayfair on Friday, where they unfurled a large flag.
‘We thought we’d pay a visit to the United offices in mayfair today to show our disgust at the leeches taking money out of a failing business,’ a tweet from the group explained.
We thought we’d pay a visit to the United offices in Mayfair today to show our disgust at the leeches taking money out of a failing business.
We assume they are busy arranging the Glazers bank transfer!
These leeches need to go!
Some things are worth fighting for…🇾🇪 pic.twitter.com/25Weylbbcy
— The 1958 (@The__1958) June 24, 2022
United paid £11m in dividends to shareholders on Friday
This came on the same day United were set to pay £11m in dividends to shareholders, with the majority of the money going to the Glazer family.
The timing of this, with United yet to add any new signings to their squad following their disastrous 2021/22 season has sparked outrage from across an already frustrated fanbase.
Gary Neville, who has been extremely vocal in his criticism of the Glazers’ ownership of United in the last year, tweeted earlier on Friday that the dividends payments should be halted and the money invested into the club.
That’s why Dividends have to stop for a period. Every penny has to go back into the club until it becomes attractive again. The club has become a graveyard for players. Culturally for owners to take 💰out of a poorly performing business is demoralising! pic.twitter.com/QseUJl8l1T
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) June 24, 2022
£11m being taken out at this point is a lose/lose. The 1st loss is the £11m is needed in many areas of the club.The other loss is they will now overpay to pacify critics/fans/media for players not as good as our rivals are buying for much cheaper which depletes us even further!
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) June 24, 2022
1958 protest follows Richard Arnold’s meeting with fans
The latest 1958 protest comes less than a week after United CEO Richard Arnold met with supporters in a local pub to prevent a planned protest from taking place outside their home.
Protesters had intended to stage a peaceful and legal protest outside Arnold’s property last Saturday afternoon. Instead, Arnold intercepted them at the nearby pub, which was being used as a meeting point.
He sat down with the group to discuss a number of issues, including dressing room leaks, United’s transfer plans and a frank assessment of the money spent by United over the last decade.
Despite some reports claiming otherwise, the planned protest outside Arnold’s home was not organised by The 1958, though a member of the group told JOE “a couple” of the group were involved in it.
🚨Exclusive: Richard Arnold met United fans planning a Glazer protest outside his home in a pub on Saturday.
Here’s what they spoke about, including:
•Dressing room leaks
•United’s transfer plans
•Fans’ right to protest✍️ @SmnLlyd5 https://t.co/mGWgugnQdN
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) June 18, 2022
United have declined to make further comment on Saturday’s events, but a spokesperson did say that fan dialogue with the club is best carried out via established channels, including the Fans’ Advisory Board, Fans’ Forum, and via Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST).
MUST have recently expressed their frustration at the Glazers’ failure to come good on promises made to supporters in the wake of the failed European Super League.
Joel Glazer told supporters the club would allow supporters to build a meaningful stake in the club through a Fan Share Scheme. This, however, is yet to materialise in the 14 months since the Super League plot fell apart.
Related links:
- Richard Arnold: A behind the scenes look at how Man United fans’ unlikely meeting with the CEO came to be
- Man Utd Supporters Trust ‘deeply frustrated’ by Glazer delays to fan share scheme
- Man Utd fans hate the Glazers, but how do they feel in Tampa Bay?
