SUPPORTERS’ CLUB GUIDEBOOK 2023/24
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Dear Supporters’ Clubs, Fans have always been at the heart of Manchester United, and as first-team managers we are both proud to be part of such a magnificent global community. Of course, we deeply appreciate the support we receive whenever we play at Old Trafford, Leigh Sports Village and venues all over the world, but we can also feel the love we get from fans who aren’t always able to be in attendance. Supporters’ Clubs are vessels for passion and commitment to our cause, so we would like to take the opportunity to thank you deeply for your backing, whether that means travelling to games, watching match screenings, supporting charitable causes or connecting fellow Reds. Whatever form your support takes, we are all on the same team with the same goals. Your dedication inspires all of us, so we hope in return we can make you and your Supporters’ Club feel special as part of the United Family. Best wishes, and keep the Red flag flying high.
Erik ten Hag and Marc Skinner
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Welcome to our new Official Supporters’ Club
We have listened and developed a plan to
Guidebook.
help you by ensuring you have access to the content, support and exclusive opportunities
Our global network of official Supporters’ Clubs
to serve your members.
is something everyone at Manchester United Football Club is very proud of. It is also
Strengthening and growing our Supporters’ Clubs
something we are committed to supporting
is a strategic priority in our fan engagement plan,
and growing this season and beyond.
and something we are determined to achieve.
The community created by our Supporters’ Clubs
We have introduced a range of exclusive offers and
is one of the many great things about Manchester
benefits to support our Clubs, from our ‘Warm-Up’
United, and together we can grow the connection
events with Legends, to discounted coach parking
and bring fans – wherever they are in the world
and involvement in our fan press conferences.
– closer to the players and the Club.
And we will continue to roll out more benefits and activity across the season.
We have recently completed a large phase of discovery work, listening to those
I hope you find this guidebook helpful and that it
running Supporters’ Clubs and to individual
encourages more fans to get involved in running
members, to better understand the reasons your
their branch or starting a new one. The United
Club exists, the challenges you face, how we can
family is incredibly special, we are proud that you
help, and the opportunities we can share for even
and so many people across the world are part of it,
deeper engagement and better experiences.
and we hope this guidebook demonstrates our commitment to making your Manchester
Club secretaries told us that your love for the Club
United experience as great as possible.
and being part of a community are the primary motivators for running their branch. And members
Best wishes and thank you again for your
told us they value their Supporters’ Club because
incredible support.
they forge lifelong friendships through a shared passion and love for Manchester United. Rick McGagh, Head of Fan Engagement
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MUSC ON THE MAP Every Supporters’ Club branch across the globe, including some recent additions...
Are you part of the movement? If you are interested in starting your own Official Supporters’ Club, email musc@manutd.co.uk
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NORTH AMERICA 40
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Manchester United Supporters’ Club
Bermuda Canada Canada – Niagara Reds (new in 2022/23) Canada – Toronto Reds (new in 2023/24) Mexico USA USA – Atlanta USA – Austin (new in 2023/24) USA – Chicago USA – Cleveland USA – Dallas Reds USA – Denver Reds USA – Indianapolis USA – Indy (Indianapolis) USA – Los Angeles USA – Memphis Reds USA – New York Reds USA – North Texas Reds USA – Orlando Red Army (new in 2023/24) USA – Philadelphia USA – Phoenix Red Devils USA – Pittsburgh United (new in 2022/23) USA – Red Devils DC USA – San Diego USA – San Francisco Red Army (new in 2022/23) USA – Seattle
5758
63 26 39
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AFRICA
Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association 28
SOUTH AMERICA Manchester United Women Supporters’ Club
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27 Brazil 28 Peru
27
29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48
Botswana Egypt Ghana Ghana Red Devils Ivory Coast Kenya Liberia Mauritius Mauritius Red Devils Mauritius United Army Morocco Rodrigues Island Sierra Leone South Africa South Africa – Cape Town Tanzania (new in 2023/24) Togo Tunisia Zambia (new in 2023/24) Zimbabwe
Our global Supporters’ Club for LGBTQ+ Reds: @RainbowDevils
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EUROPE 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67
68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84
85 Bangladesh 86 China – Beijing 87 China – Changsha Reds 88 China – Dongguan Reds 89 China – Foshan Reds 90 China – Guangzhou 91 China – Hangzhou 92 China – Hong Kong 93 China – Shanghai 94 China – Shenzhen 95 China – Shenzhen Red Devils 96 India – Bangalore 97 India – Chennai 98 India – Delhi NCR 99 India – Goa 100 India – Goan Red Devils 101 India – Hyderabad 102 India – Kerala 103 India – Kolkata 104 India – Mizoram
Hungary Iceland Italy Liechtenstein Red Devils Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Poland Romania Russia – Moscow Reds Russia – Krasnodar Reds Scandinavia Slovenia Switzerland – Swiss Devils Switzerland – Suisse Ukraine Ukraine – Kyiv Reds
105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128
India – Mumbai India – Nagaland India – Nagpur India – New Delhi India – Pune Indonesia Japan Japan – Tokyo Kazakhstan – United of Almaty (new in 2022/23) Korea Malaysia Malaysia – My Malaysia Malaysian Fan Club Maldives Maldives Glory Maldives Red Army Myanmar Myanmar Glory Nepal Pakistan Singapore Taiwan Thailand Vietnam
MAKE CONTACT! 38
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To find the details for your nearest branch, visit ManUtd.com/en/ fans/supporters-clubs
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own 3/24)
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Bahrain Iraq Israel Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates UAE – Red Maniacs
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OCEANIA 140 Australia – Brisbane 141 Australia – New South Wales 142 Australia – Perth
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MIDDLE EAST
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y
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ASIA
Austria Austria Red Devils Baku Reds Belarus Belgium – Flanders Mancunians Belgium – Red Flag Bulgaria Bulgaria Red Devils (new in 2022/23) Croatia Cyprus Cyprus Fan Club Finland France Germany Gibraltar Greece – Athens Greece – Hellenic Netherlands – Dutch Mancunians Hungarian Fanatics
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Manchester United 2019/20 Yearbook 157
Turn the page for UK and Ireland → (Information correct as of 23/08/23)
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UK & Ireland ENGLAND 1 Bedfordshire 2 Bristol, Bath & District 3 Cheshire – Chester & North Wales 4 Cheshire – Crewe & Nantwich 5 Cheshire – High Peak 6 Cheshire – Macclesfield 7 Cheshire – Newton-le-Willows 8 Cheshire – Stalybridge 9 Cheshire – Warrington 10 Cumbria – Barrow-in-Furness 11 Cumbria – Carlisle & South West Scotland 12 Cumbria – West Cumbria 13 Cumbria – Westmorland 14 Devon – Plymouth 15 Devon – Torbay 16 Dorset 17 Durham & North East 18 East Anglia 19 East Sussex – Brighton 20 East Sussex – Hastings 21 East Yorkshire 22 Gloucester & Cheltenham 23 Hampshire 24 Hereford 25 Hertfordshire 26 Isle of Man 27 Kent – Invicta Reds 28 Lancashire - Blackpool 29 Lancashire – Fleetwood 30 Lancashire – Heywood 31 Lancashire – Lancaster 32 Lancashire – Middleton & District 33 Lancashire – Royton 34 Lancashire – Southport 35 Leicestershire 36 Lincolnshire – Grimsby 37 Lincolnshire – Lincoln 38 London 39 London – London Association (MULA) 40 London – London Fan Club 41 Norfolk – East Anglia 42 North Devon 43 North Warwickshire Reds 44 North Yorkshire 45 Northampton – Wellingborough 46 Northamptonshire – Corby & Kettering 47 Northumberland – Berwick-upon-Tweed 48 Nottinghamshire – Mansfield 49 Nottinghamshire – Nottingham 50 Oxfordshire – Oxford & Banbury 51 Shrewsbury 52 Somerset – Bridgwater & South West 53 Somerset – Yeovil 54 South Yorkshire – Barnsley 55 South Yorkshire – Doncaster & District 56 Staffordshire – North Staffs 57 Surrey 58 Warwickshire – Leamington Spa 59 Warwickshire – Rugby & Nuneaton 60 West Midlands – Birmingham 61 West Midlands & Hereford 62 West Midlands – Walsall 63 Worcestershire – Redditch 64 Yorkshire – Bradford & Leeds 65 Yorkshire – Featherstone 66 Yorkshire – Keighley 67 Yorkshire – South Elmsall CHANNEL ISLANDS 68 Guernsey 69 Jersey NORTHERN IRELAND 70 Ballymoney 71 Banbridge 72 Bangor 73 Carryduff 74 Cavehill 75 City of Derry 76 Cookstown 77 Craigavon 78 Downpatrick 79 Dungannon 80 Fermanagh
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Are you part of the movement? If you are interested in starting your own Official Supporters’ Club, email musc@manutd.co.uk
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WALES 108 Aberystwyth 109 Cardiff South and Vale Reds 110 Chepstow 111 Glamorgan & Gwent 112 Gwynedd 113 Pontypridd 114 Swansea
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SCOTLAND 103 Ayrshire 104 Edinburgh 105 Glasgow (see 11 for South West Scotland) 106 Kingdom of Fife (new in 2023/24) 107 Perth
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First North Down (Bangor) Hilltown (new in 2023/24) Iveagh Youth (Belfast) Lagan (Belfast) Larne Limavady Lisburn Lurgan Muckamore Abbey Newry Newtownards Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (Belfast) Omagh Portadown Portaferry Portstewart Rostrevor South Belfast South Down Strabane Tower Ards West Belfast
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REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 115 Abbeyfeale 116 Arklow/Wicklow 117 Ballyfermot Red Devils (new in 2022/23) 118 Bundoran 119 Carlow – Bagenalstown Reds 120 Carlow 121 Clare 122 Clonmel 123 Cork 124 County Longford 125 County Roscommon 126 Donegal 127 Dublin 128 Kells 129 Kevin Moran (Dublin) 130 Kildare (new in 2022/23) 131 Kilkenny (new in 2023/24) 132 Killaloe 133 Killarney 134 Killeshandra/Ballinagh Co Cavan 135 Kilmallock 136 Limerick 137 Mayo 138 Newport Town, Co Tipperary (new in 2022/23) 139 Sligo 140 Tipperary Town (new in 2022/23) 141 Tralee 142 West Limerick 143 Westmeath/Castlepollard 144 Wexford
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JOIN THE FAMILY For those fans interested to know how to go about forming an official Manchester United Supporters’ Club, here’s the topline information. Get involved!
We are always delighted to welcome new Supporters’ Clubs into our global family. For your fan group to become recognised as an official Manchester United Supporters’ Club, you need to meet the following criteria: •
At least 30 of your members need to be Manchester United Official Members or Season Ticket Holders .
•
You must have a lead contact and a deputy who are Official Members or Season Ticket Holders, who can liaise regularly with the Club.
•
To access tickets through the Supporters’ Club allocation, at least 50 of your members need to be Official Members registered in the same country.
To start the process of becoming an official Supporters’ Club, please email musc@manutd.co.uk with the following information: •
The name, address, phone number and email address of your lead contact / deputy, and any social media handles your fan group uses.
•
The names and Supporter IDs of all Official Members and Season Ticket Holders in your fan group so we can verify that you meet the threshold for official status and access to tickets. Each person in your fan group should confirm that they agree to you sending their information to the Club.
Our team will cross-check the information and reach out if we require any further clarification. Assuming you meet the criteria for official status, your group will have to agree to the Supporters’ Club Code of Conduct in order to be an MUSC. This is an important document and MUSCs must comply with the code of conduct at all times. This document can be read at manutd.com/musccodeofconduct. We are happy to organise an introductory call so you can meet our team and ask any questions. The lead contact and deputy will then be given login details for the Supporters’ Club Tunnel (our extranet) and the ticketing microsite (to register ticket applications) and you’ll be able to access all the benefits available to official Supporters’ Clubs.
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Seasons pass, players come
Withington-born Red Pete
and go, and eras soar and fade.
Sharman. “And by the late ’40s,
Indeed, football’s non-stop
I was going regularly to watch
forward thrust is one of the
us at Maine Road and local
game’s most seductive
grounds like Bolton, Burnley,
qualities. But there is one
Anfield and Stoke.”
constant at Manchester United (and indeed every
The pioneering successes of the
club): you. The fans.
Busby Babes in the 1950s amplified United’s standing within the
The Red Army has always been with
national – and international
us, from our very earliest days at
– consciousness. In 1959, our first
North Road, Bank Street and then,
overseas branch was formed in
finally, Old Trafford, which opened
Malta. “The foundations of our
to great fanfare in 1910. Even
Supporters’ Club were built one
throughout the period between
year after the Munich disaster,”
the two world wars – a phase
explains president Joe Tedesco.
characterised by very mixed
“Eighteen months later, Sir Matt
fortunes on the pitch – our
sent a Manchester United team
support rarely wavered.
to Malta to play a friendly game against a Malta league selection.”
In 1920, a record pre-war United
A LOVE FOR ALL SEASONS How Manchester United’s fan base evolved from the local draw of the Heathens in the 19th century to the global community we are all part of today...
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crowd of 70,504 flocked to the
UK-based fans had started to travel
stadium for a league game with
to away games in greater numbers
Aston Villa. During the 1930s and
during the 1950s – usually via
1940s, the club’s support began
gruelling train journeys – but
to swell and expand, planting
it wasn’t until the 1960s that
the seeds for the global network
supporters from Manchester and
of Supporters’ Clubs we so
across the country started to
cherish in 2023.
regularly organise coaches to home and away games.
A century ago, fans would gather in the local areas around Stretford,
“I always say I was born in the north
into Salford and north Manchester.
– north of Charlton, south-east
Many travelled across the city to
London!” laughs Andy Mitchell,
Old Trafford on the trams and
secretary of the Manchester United
trolley buses of the day,
London Fan Club, which was
forming strong friendships
formed in 1965. “To me, United are
with like-minded fans.
an international club, supported all over the world, and I’ve got nothing
There were no official Supporters’
but admiration for anyone who
Clubs then, but the needs of fans
supports their team and puts their
were quickly expanding. “My dad
hand in their pocket to support
once walked from Hulme to
them. When I first started going,
Edgeley Park when United and
there was no match tickets and you
Stockport were in the Second
simply turned up. But there were
Division,” marvels lifelong,
always loads of Cockney Reds.”
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“The foundations of our Supporters’ Club were built one year after the Munich Air Disaster... 18 months later, Sir Matt sent a team to Malta”
In the 1970s, fan groups were
I took the 24-hour ferry from
invited to begin a closer and more
Gothenburg. Then I got the bus
official relationship with the club.
from Felixstowe to London. The
In some cases, United issued
game was on Saturday, so I left
£300 to help branches get off the
Norway on Thursday. I was 16.”
ground. There were other
In 1979, Lars even sold his car
problems to negotiate, too. Later in
to finance a trip to United’s
the decade, hooliganism became
fruitless 1979 FA Cup final with
a greater threat to the game and
Arsenal. Talk about dedication!
trains were often cancelled, creating chaos for match-goers.
The following decade, the 1990s, was a landmark one for the club,
Former club secretary Les Olive
with Alex Ferguson orchestrating
encouraged official UK clubs to
five Premier League triumphs in
travel to games and helped them
seven seasons and a first European
with tickets, as such Supporters’
Cup since 1968. Off the pitch, there
Groups were seen as trusted. The
was an explosion of United
club disseminated newsletters and
Supporters’ Clubs in Ireland – more
held conferences, to try and forge
than 40 new official branches were
closer links between the
registered in the 1990s alone. The
ever-growing United community.
silverware helped, as did two outstanding players from Cork.
By the 1980s, most cities in the UK had an official club and coaches
“There was always a connection
travelling to Old Trafford every
there with Ireland, but when I was
week. Progress had been made
there in the 90s and then Roy
overseas, too, in areas like
Keane came and joined us, it went
Scandinavia, where live English
on to a different scale altogether,”
football broadcasts had
notes United legend Denis Irwin.
enticed a hungry audience.
“We were so successful… it’s very tribal in Ireland, as it is in England.
Lars Morten Olsen, who hails from
If your dad supports a club, you
Sarpsborg in Norway, has been
support them as well. So there was
attending matches since the 1970s,
an awful lot of Man United fans.
and works full-time for Manchester
Northern Ireland too. Don’t forget
United Supporters’ Club
how many players have played for
Scandinavia – which was founded
United. George Best, Norman
in 1981. “My first game was
Whiteside… you can list them
Tottenham away, ’76/77,” he
all: Sammy Mac, Paul McGrath,
recalls. “The bus from my
Kevin Moran and Frank
hometown was about four hours.
Stapleton and more…” →
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→ The new millennium delivered
we now have 16 different Clubs
further milestones, as United
across India. In the United States,
continued to enshrine itself as
more than 20 new MUSCs have
one of the planet’s most successful
sprung up during the last decade.
and beloved football clubs. A Supporters’ Club policy was
Whether we’re up or down on the
introduced. A first Supporters’
football pitch, our global support
Club in India (Mumbai) came on
continues to astound. Head to Old
board. Our network of branches
Trafford for any match during the
became truly global, with
2023/24 season, and you’ll find
representation in all
Reds from all over the planet, from
populated continents.
Beswick to Belfast, Bangalore and beyond. Each with their own
Odysseys to Old Trafford might be
incredible story to tell, with their
once-in-a-lifetime experiences for
inspiring passion bursting forth.
supporters belonging to some of our more far-flung branches. But
It’s a story more than 140-years
United’s centrality to fans’ lives
deep. One that continues to richen
was no less profound.
with every passing year; with every new fan. And our incredible,
For the 100-plus members of the
continent-crossing network
Iraq Manchester United
of Supporters’ Clubs are the
Supporters’ Club, formed in 2014,
engine at the heart of this
football was a positive escape from
incredible United story. ○
violence, fear and uncertainty during the aftermath of war. The Club began congregating in Baghdad, where there were 60 gatherings a season. The supporters viewed games at shopping malls, for safety reasons – in May 2016, Islamic State killed 28 Real Madrid fans in two separate attacks on cafes within 100km of the capital. “We gave innocent people in our country since 2003, but life must continue, and watching United every week is our only joy,” noted chairman Alaa Alshawi. “We have Arabs and Kurdish, Muslims and Christians and many other religions. At first they came just to see their beloved team, but now they come to see each other. The love of football and especially United brings us together under one ceiling.” There were 80 new branches made official during the 2010s. Many, like our Iraqi Club, hailing from overseas. In 2023, most countries now have official representation, with some countries boasting multiple Clubs. From that first branch in Mumbai,
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Each Supporters’ Club branch has their own incredible story to tell, with their inspiring passion bursting forth
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COMMUNITY How a love of Manchester United can bring people together to have a hugely positive impact away from the football...
United’s network of Supporters’
£1,000 to help charities that were
Clubs expands and thrives
aiming to support children
thanks to the pure passion that
during their response to
exists for our club throughout
the Covid-19 crisis.
the world. But Supporters’ Clubs are not just about football.
Our Pakistan branch donated over £2,000 to a local charity working to
In recent years, we’ve frequently
protect children who had lost
seen our branches go above
parental care, or who were at risk
and beyond, proving just how
of losing it. In Lancaster, teenage
influential and impactful
season-ticket holders Rory, 14,
supporters can be when
and Elliot, 16, tackled a gruelling
a love of United is harnessed
65-mile off-road bike ride from to
for the good of others.
Old Trafford to raise money. There were similarly inspiring
Over the summer, we saw fantastic
stories from Lagan, Nepal,
examples of Supporters’ Clubs
Brisbane and beyond.
putting massive energy into helping out their adjacent
“It’s critical for the club and the
communities, particularly those
branches to work together,” said
who are most disadvantaged.
MUSC Lancaster secretary Andy
Around our Tour 2023 match with
Baker. “We’ve been around a long
Arsenal in New Jersey, the USA
time, we’re out in the community
and New York Supporters’ Clubs
engaging with people on
teamed up with Manchester United
a day-to-day basis… working
Foundation – whose core focus is
together can be beneficial
supporting youngsters in deprived
for both.”
areas of Greater Manchester –
last season – saw supporters from
because they may not identify
to support two youth-focused
Heroic fundraising drives and
Australia, Belgium, Hong Kong,
specifically with our stories,”
stateside charities, Street Soccer
community initiatives are the most
India, Ireland, Norway, Poland,
explains committee member Cass
USA and America Scores.
dramatic examples of the power
Sweden, Thailand (and, of course,
Hyde. “I’m trans, for example, but
our Supporters’ Clubs can wield.
Salford and Manchester) getting
not everyone is, and they might
During the worst of the Covid-19
But there’s also a quieter side
to know each other. For those
not get that experience. But they
pandemic, over 200 Supporters’
to their influence, which should
attending Old Trafford for the very
understand football and being a
Clubs helped raise money for
not be overlooked.
first time, it was a big, warm first
football fan. If you link those two,
hug from the global United family.
it makes more sense to people.”
children from all over the world as part of the ‘United for the Children’
At a time when there is an
The evening also raised a fantastic
campaign. It meant that, at a time
increased focus on loneliness and
£10,000 for the Foundation too
The humble railway workers that
when no supporters were able to
mental health issues, our branches
– a further example of
founded our club in 1878 would
even attend matches, Reds
regularly bring together hundreds
our fan base’s generosity.
never have envisaged that their
everywhere were still utilising
of thousands of people, forging
their passion for United and
relationships that would simply
Meanwhile, our official LGBTQ+
resulted in such a positive impact
making their presence felt.
not exist were they not
Supporters’ Group, Rainbow
on so many lives, in every corner
simple football team could have
underpinned by a common love of
Devils, have been working since
of our world. But that’s a reality in
Manchester United Foundation
United. Our first two ‘Warm-Up’
2019 to “empower and celebrate”
2023, and many of our Supporters’
approached every MUSC across the
nights for fans – held before the
United’s diverse fan base. “Football
Clubs are the driving force behind
globe to take part, offering up to
Aston Villa and Fulham matches
gives an ‘in’ for a lot of people,
that reality.
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“It’s critical for the club and the branches to work together... it’s beneficial for both”
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RED PLANET The numbers associated with United’s global fan base are simply staggering, covering different cultures and too many time zones to mention...
Many football clubs can boast an
matchday trips to Manchester: “We
international support, but none
are always so greatly welcomed at
can lay claim to have the same
Old Trafford and work closely with
global network as Manchester
the ticket office. They can see
United. With over 1.1billion fans
we are a special bunch!”
and followers worldwide, and official Supporters’ Clubs
With over 500 season tickets
spread around six of the seven
among its membership, it’s little
continents, pockets and
surprise that Scandinavia currently
outposts in far flung
leads the way as the Reds’ biggest
destinations can be taken as
Supporters’ Club. Regular journeys
given, but the level of dedication
via Manchester Airport are not the
adopted by members of the
only measure of dedication,
MUSC family is truly remarkable.
however. “Getting visas for Iraqi citizens is very difficult,” admits
The oldest Official Supporters’
MUSC Iraq chairman Alaa Al Shawi,
Club, stationed in Malta,
“so we go everywhere to see United
celebrated their 60th anniversary
in countries that give us visas.”
in 2019 with a 61-strong party
That has included a European
visiting Old Trafford, while the
matchday trip to Turkey in which
Scandinavian branch, which has
local security forces, objecting to
our largest fan base, passed four
the Iraqi Reds’ presence in the
decades in 2021 and continues to
crowd, cut short the experience
swell in numbers, passing 48,000
for some. Nevertheless, that
members. The roots to such
couldn’t spoil the occasion for
branches run deep. As Joe
the whole party. “We all felt
Tedesco, president of the Maltese
so proud,” beamed Al Shawi.
branch, said: “Our foundations
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were built after Munich,” while
Geographical issues, omnipresent
Bernt Hjornevik, CEO of MUSC
in the fandom of Reds stationed
Scandinavia, says of his branch’s
further from M16, can sometimes
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“The only things that can make me happy and cry are my family and Manchester United!”
be overcome during pre-season tours. United’s trip to Australia in 2019, for instance, provoked mass migration Down Under. Emma Fitzgerald, club secretary of the New South Wales branch, said: “Many of our members got to meet United players, coaches and legends and enjoy a week with fellow Reds from all over Australia and the world.” Fellow fan Robert Waltham, meanwhile, used social media to invite supporters to a Melbourne pub for tour match screenings, and was inundated. “Some came from New Zealand, South Africa, India too,” he laughed. “There were 600-700 there across two floors. I couldn’t get through the door at one point!” Matchday attendance may be straightforward for some MUSC members, while others must circumnavigate sizeable obstacles, but many are still simply unable to make it to see the Reds in person, so screenings and social events bring together like-minded supporters in an ever-growing number of territories. The United Family is enormous and, like any large family, numbers are always on the rise, with another seven branches opened during the Reds’ Tour 2023 in America, and there’s no sign of the process slowing. Though distances, time zones and cultures divide them, there is one bond at the heart of the collective dedication. As Batholomew Jingulam, president of MUSC Malaysia, beautifully puts it: “The only things that can make me happy and cry are my family and Manchester United!” ○
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Pitchside presentations We celebrated Supporters’ Club special occasions and anniversaries at every Premier League home game in 2022/23.
Overseas visits Supporters’ Clubs from Cyprus to San Diego made us feel at home while on the road last season, bringing the Club, our Legends and fans together. We enjoyed events with eight overseas Supporters’ Clubs in the last year, demonstrating the extraordinary dedication of our global fan base.
UK engagement As well as visiting Supporters’ Clubs across the world, there was plenty to enjoy for UK branches, including fan press conferences and an end-of-season pitch day, where Reds enjoyed an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get changed in the dressing rooms, walk down the tunnel and play on the hallowed Old Trafford turf. Were you one of the fans who scored in front of the Stretford End?!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2022/23 There were many Official MUSC events that helped make last season a memorable one. Here are just some of the moments that took place at Old Trafford and beyond...
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The Warm-Up events We introduced a brand new initiative for 2022/23 where fans congregated at Old Trafford on the eve of a first-team match to meet up and socialise with fellow Reds from around the world. We welcomed 650 fans from 37 Supporters’ Clubs across 21 countries to the International Suite for our first two events, enjoying Q&As with Wes Brown and Norman Whiteside and Carabao Cup photo opportunities. Most importantly, the events raised £10,000 for the MU Foundation – thank you all for your generosity!
Biennial dinner A total of 290 guests representing 145 Supporters’ Clubs joined us on a brilliant evening in October 2022. As well as a complimentary sit-down dinner and free bar, guests enjoyed a speech from Richard Arnold, CEO, a Q&A with Bryan Robson andJohn Murtough, Director of Football. Not to mention the Foundation raffle, comedian and free Maui Jim sunglasses & Cadbury’s chocolate!
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HOW WE WORK... An inclusive and collaborative relationship between the Club and our official Supporters’ Clubs is vital to our success. Here’s how we do it – together… •
We hope to grow our global Supporters’ Club network together in partnership with you.
•
We promise to listen to your thoughts, ideas and feedback and consult with you ahead of launching anything new.
To work in true partnership, we have several ways for you to communicate and share your thoughts with us: •
Supporters’ Club Tunnel – an extranet to share content and ideas, and respond to updates, news and polls from the Club.
•
Monthly Teams call to raise ideas and concerns directly with Michael Leneghan, Supporter and Disabled Supporter Liaison Manager.
•
Dedicated ticket escalation line with Operations Team to discuss and resolve ticket related queries .
•
Annual survey to capture how you rate our support and engagement with you, and to gather insights on emerging ideas.
•
Fans’ Forum participation to ensure your voices are heard on wider Club issues.
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THE BENEFITS There are so many reasons why you should get involved with the MUSC family, and these benefits provided to official branches are just some of them...
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Experiential •
Pitch-side special occasion celebrations with a Legend
•
Behind the scenes access (such as fan press conferences, new player signing moments)
•
Exclusive access to The Warm-Up events
•
Events on Tour, and other overseas visits
•
Biennial dinner at Old Trafford
Ticketing •
Access to dedicated Supporters’ Club ticket allocation
•
25% coach parking discount
•
Dedicated contact in Operations Team to discuss and resolve ticketing queries
•
Ticketing microsite to manage Official Members
•
The lead contact and deputy of MUSCs with 150+ affiliated Official Members, so long as they are qualifying Season Ticket Holders, can access two tickets (one each) for domestic away games where the allocation exceeds 2,500.
Communication •
Supporters’ Club Tunnel (extranet)
•
Monthly Teams call with Supporter & Disabled Supporter Liaison Manager
•
Monthly newsletter
We are also exploring several new benefits including updated Supporters’ Club branding, more Supporters’ Club coverage on our club platforms and a campaign to tell all known fans about their local Supporters’ Club.
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WHAT’S TO COME... Here are just some of the initiatives to be rolled out during the 2023/24 season and beyond. We will be in touch with more news and updates throughout the campaign… first Supporters’ Club Guidebook, with new branding And here it is! The book covers our vision for and pledges to you as we grow the global network, equipped with new Supporters’ Club branding. We also hope to evolve how the new branding can be rolled out by branches.
launch of the Supporters’ Club Tunnel The Tunnel is an always-on extranet that will be the place to share content with your members and respond to updates. It will also include news and polls from the Club, to launch in autumn 2023.
new marketing campaign, and more coverage We aim to tell all known fans about their local Supporters’ Club and encourage them to join to help you grow your membership numbers. We will also give Supporters’ Clubs more coverage on our official platforms – like ManUtd.com, the app, matchday programme United Review and official magazine Inside United – to spread the word. If you have a story you’d like to tell, or a member you’d like to celebrate, you can get in touch via The Tunnel.
More Warm-Up events Following our successful trial events from last season, we plan to extend The Warm–Up at Old Trafford throughout 2023/24. Check The Tunnel for the latest information.
Revised ticket policy We undertake a continuous evolution of how Supporters’ Clubs buy home match tickets. We will consult with you every step of the way on any changes.
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key contacts General enquiries about Supporters’ Clubs:
musc@manutd.co.uk If you’re interesting in starting a new Supporters’ Club:
musc@manutd.co.uk Rick McGagh, Head of Fan Engagement:
rick.mcgagh@manutd.co.uk Michael Leneghan, Supporter & Disabled Supporter Liaison Manager:
michael.leneghan@manutd.co.uk Code of Conduct:
manutd.com/musccodeofconduct
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