Fan Engagement Plan
2024/25
INTRODUCTION
Watch Collette Roche, nominated board level official for fan engagement, explain why working in partnership with you is so vital to our success, and introduce our fan engagement aspirations for 2024/25. CLICK TO WATCH!
“Being co-owner of Manchester United is a great honour and a huge responsibility because it is so important to so many people around the world. Our ambition is to excite fans by turning Manchester United into a consistently successful club at the highest level again.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United co-owner
“The support that you have given to the team throughout my time at the club has been incredible.
You have always been there for us, celebrating together when we have won trophies and backing us through the more difficult moments.
The strong bond that we have and the atmosphere you create in the stadium continues to give us an advantage on the pitch.
We will drive forward together, working to take this club back to where it belongs.”
Erik ten Hag, men’s team manager
“This club is incredibly special, with fans at its core – the sea of red flags at Wembley was testament to that. Your unwavering support for the team drives us to win and we’re excited to deliver even more this season, building on the success of our first major trophy”
Marc Skinner, women’s team manager
FAN ENGAGEMENT STATEMENT
United with you on and off the pitch, we want you to feel connected to your team, club and community, no matter where you are in the world. We’ll listen to you, improve your experience and reward your loyalty.
Our Pledges
1
We will listen to you and improve your experience
We will work to create a better matchday experience at Old Trafford and Leigh Sports Village.
We will involve fans in the Old Trafford redevelopment process. We will continue to work closely with recognised fan groups on issues which impact supporters.
2
We will reward your loyalty
We will create unforgettable events and experiences for our fans.
We will work with partners on giveaways, additional experiences and more to bring loyal fans closer to the club.
We will give fans the chance to appear in our content.
3
We will grow fan communities across the world
We will work to grow the size of the fan base for our women’s team.
We will grow the number of official supporters’ clubs.
We will work with supporter groups to ensure all fans feel welcome and valued as part of our ED&I commitments.
The fan groups we work with:
MANCHESTER MUNICH MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
“Participation in the Fans’ Forum is one of the key channels for MUST in its engagement with the Club. It provides a forum by which we can champion fans interests and priorities. The relationship between Club and fans reps on the Forum is as it should be – professional, respectful, and courteous. Decisions are ultimately for the Club, but the fans reps make the voice of supporters heard loud and clear.”
Chris Rumfitt, MUST
“Our engagement with the club has a positive impact on the fans. We see this in the events we have been able to hold and the resolution of ticketing concerns. Being able to speak to the club directly is vital for us.”
Deborah Henry,Women’s team supporters’ group Fans’ Forum rep , Fans’ Advisory Board member
“The Fans’ Forum serves as a vital platform for consultation, where representatives have the opportunity to actively engage with the club. In working together with the club, we are able to build a brighter future, both protecting and enhancing all fan experiences while supporting our beloved Manchester United.”
Luca Black,U21 Fans’ Forum rep
“Rainbow Devils have had a fantastic season of growth and activity and we would like to thank the club for all their support. Seeing United win an award at the Football V Homophobia awards was a proud moment for Rainbow Devils and is testament to the partnership and co-operation that we have with the club.”
Eric Najib,Rainbow Devils Fans’ Forum rep
“Working between the club and its amazing fan base is a critical function to ensure our goals and ambitions are aligned. The Fans’ Forum has great potential to drive the club to success thanks to the healthy balance of challenge and cooperation. I look forward to more fan engagement – on both what works and what needs improving – in the year ahead so that these important forums can operate as effectively as possible.”
JP Monck,Overseas Fans’ Forum rep , Fans’ Advisory Board member
Get involved!
We want to work in partnership with you – this means providing lots of different ways for you to meet fellow fans, get involved with decision making, support the Foundation and follow the team you love. Below are some of the ways you can get involved:
MUST
Join the independent Manchester United Supporters’ Trust which represents fans and with whom we work closely on multiple topics including the club’s governance, ticketing policies, sanctions and other matchgoing fan issues. Click here for more.
Fans’ Advisory Board
Learn more about how we involve fans in strategic decision making through our Fans’ Advisory Board (FAB). Comprising of seven fan reps and six club reps and meeting once per quarter, FAB discusses strategic topics including stadium development projects, governance issues and heritage assets (club crest and home shirt colours). Find out more here.
Fans’ Forum
Submit questions which will be raised to club officials during quarterly Fans’ Forum meetings. The minutes of these meetings are published on the fan section of the club website. Click here to read the minutes.
MUSCs
Meet likeminded Reds in your community by joining an official supporters’ club or creating a new one. Click here to join the family!
Reminiscing Sessions
Share your favourite memories with fellow fans over a cup of tea in the Red Café. You can register by emailing james.davey@manutd.co.uk
Foundation
Support the efforts of Manchester United Foundation in improving the lives of young people in Greater Manchester. Click here for more.
Social Media
Join the family of 260m Reds across the world who follow the club with passion and spirit.
Find out more
You can find further information on the fan section of our website, including additional detail on the FAB, how to submit questions to the Fans’ Forum, Supporter Services contact details, how to raise a complaint and commitments around heritage assets. Click here for more.
It’s an honour to be part of a club where overcoming the greatest adversities and rising again to the greatest glories is in our DNA.
Walking through the doors for the first time last month, I was immediately struck by the enormity of the club and what it means to our fans here in Manchester and all over the world. It’s impossible to understand how big Manchester United really is until you’re on the inside. Our recent Tour to the US, where we met so many of our American and travelling fans, really highlighted the passion and love our supporters have for the club.
It is important to ensure you are rewarded for your loyalty and our priority is to lead our great football club back to the top of English and European football. We promise that we will do everything we can to deliver the titles, trophies and culture expected of our club.
To achieve this, we will need to work together in partnership with you. We saw many examples last season – including at Old Trafford against Liverpool and at the men’s and women’s FA Cup finals – of what can be achieved when there is a strong connection between fans and the team. Building a passionate, engaged and energised fan base is critical to on-pitch success.
Returning to the top will take time and will need some patience, but we will work with you, communicate honestly and act in your interests so that your Manchester United experience is the best it can be.
Omar Berrada, Manchester United chief executive officer
Key Contacts:
Collette Roche
Nominated board level official; chief operating officer
Rick McGagh Director of fan engagement
Sam Kelleher Director of supporter services
John Shiels MU Foundation CEO
Michael Leneghan Supporter liaison manager