08 Sep 2023 23:36:59
An older man's United story.

Something suddenly occurred to me. My parents separated in 1956when I was 4 years old. My father had effectively gone bankrupt and my mother had been forced to move back in with my grandparents who, after raising 4 kids, had moved to a much smaller house. I was not quite 5. My 2 year old sister stayed home, but I was sent off to a weekly boarding school.

Sometime after that my father must have come to visit, because I remember him taking me to see a distant relative of my other grandmother, who lived close by. I'd like to think it was Spath Road in Didsbury, but I may be mistaken. That lady was Ethel Satinoff, the widow of Willie Satinoff who died in the Mnich air crash. It had never occurred to me before that the visit was mostly likely one of condolence.

Being stuck away at boarding schools, and with no father around anyway, I never got to go to any football games. Had it been different, chances are it would have been to see City because my feckless father was a City supporter despite knowing Matt Busby.

So, fast forward to the end of the 1962/ 3 season and both United and City are in danger of relegation. I'm watching the results roll in on BBC. The teleprompter is clickclacing away. My friend Peter, who is a United fan, is clearly tense but hopeful. Maybe it was the penultimate game against Leyton Orient that saved the Reds from the drop, but I also remember the relief. The excitement and emotion got to me. I become interested. And then a couple of weeks later I get to watch the Cup Final which United won 3-1 v Leicester City.

Do I go to games nowadays? Occasionally if I'm back in Mcr. But I used too. I watch the games here in the US with my son, who may now be disappointed that I wasn't a City supporter! It could so easily have been. But then supporting a football team has its ups and downs. As poor as many on here think we are, it's been a lot worse. We've been relegated, we've been nearly relegated, the club has dealt with the ultimate disaster.

It's now more than 60 years following this club. It's a relationship that has endured many transitions. The history is personal, it's tribal, it transcends the players, managers and owners who come and go. I cannot help feel sad that we are now owned by people who do not respect our traditions, who would gladly sacrifice the club for financial gain. Do they have rights as owners? Yes. But with rights come responsibilities. Being legally in the right doesn't make it morally right.

1.) 09 Sep 2023
09 Sep 2023 02:28:44
Owners of clubs are caretakers of institutions. The fans have every right to hold them to a high standard of stewardship. It makes my blood boil everytime someone clever try's to tell you facts that the glazers own man utd and they can do whatever they like with it. Total nonsense. We will endure and we will survive them. We'll never die.

2.) 09 Sep 2023
09 Sep 2023 08:11:02
Great post shawthing. We are, but for two years, the same age and I totally get you.

3.) 09 Sep 2023
09 Sep 2023 09:00:06
Shawthing

Great story, thank you for sharing and you are older than me. Your story has resonance because most of my family were City fans back in the 60’s likely because of the part of Manchester we originated from. Agree on your point about the owners but you knew I would.

4.) 09 Sep 2023
09 Sep 2023 09:32:09
Lovely post Shaw, thank you for sharing ?

You are absolutely right. The owners know nothing of what football means to its fans. Owners, managers and players come and go. Fans remain forever.

5.) 09 Sep 2023
09 Sep 2023 11:05:25
What a story. Thanks for sharing Shawthing.

6.) 09 Sep 2023
09 Sep 2023 11:44:52
You capture the current situation perfectly when you sadly write that the current owners are willing to sacrifice the club for financial gain.

They will be gone one day and we will rise again.

Just hope the interim damage isn’t too high.

7.) 09 Sep 2023
09 Sep 2023 12:17:40
Great read Shawthing and good post Dodgy!

8.) 09 Sep 2023
09 Sep 2023 13:24:52
A poignant reminder of why owning a football club is not the same as owning a typical business. Sadly, people like the Glazers will never understand this, nor why they are so utterly despised by the fanbase.

9.) 09 Sep 2023
09 Sep 2023 13:35:34
Great read, Shaw. And there was me always thinking Red Man was the oldest aul bugger on here.

10.) 09 Sep 2023
09 Sep 2023 14:15:51
Great read. Not quite the same story but I had my dinner with a few United players.

My uncle was the head of Leeds TV. And a Leeds fan. He invited Jackie Charlton to dinner. He said yes and can I bring a few mates.

So along came Bobby, Dennis Law, David Sadler and a young frightened George Best and some bloke called Greenhoff!

My mum bless her old heart has long since thrown away the signed shirt!

But it’s a memory to treasure. If I had a memory of it. I was 2!

11.) 09 Sep 2023
09 Sep 2023 14:35:10
Redman feeling very pirky now that he knows he is just a young pup.

Shaw

Great story and thank you for sharing. Mine is not anywhere as interesting as your. Started boarding school at 9 and that was my introduction to football in rngland. Loved the dutch and watched games with my dad and cried when they lost the final to the germans.

Watched united at 9 and never looked back and a lifetime supporter now for 46 years. Funny thing is we were not that good back then and more a cup team.

12.) 09 Sep 2023
09 Sep 2023 15:05:00
Yes, Redman. We were Salford 7 folks. I read law at Mcr U so spent much of the time in close proximity to Moss Side Maine Road. 60% my family are City fans, 65% are United and the other 72% half don't give a toss ?

My stepfather was a foundryman. Our company was right behind the ground on Trafford Park Road. It's all gone now, including that part of the road. I passed that stadium every day of the week on my way to work.

Feeling very nostalgic. I'm blaming the International break.

13.) 09 Sep 2023
09 Sep 2023 16:14:29
Shaw you should write that as a letter to the glazers and at the end say. Please leave now.

14.) 09 Sep 2023
09 Sep 2023 17:56:05
Dodgy is spot on. owners are custodians and can't do whatever they want with long standing institutions.

15.) 09 Sep 2023
09 Sep 2023 23:04:29
Funny you should say that Leahy. Half way through it.

16.) 10 Sep 2023
09 Sep 2023 23:33:09
Shaw you are an old fart, having said that I realized I'm 2 years older than you.
Great perspective.