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If you're a season ticket holder and haven't already responded and you are interested in MUFC away ticket distribution proposals today (Tuesday 30th April) is your last chance to respond. Details from the club below and you might also wish to view the discussion in the comments section at RedsAway at the foot of this information.

Please read the proposals below. You may also want to think about these questions suggested by members. Obviously we want to create the best outcome for the club (support/atmosphere and allocations) and all fans who wish to attend aways rewarding loyalty while also allowing new fans to get into the regular away habit and especially to include young fans to bring through the next generation considering the ageing population of our support. This isn't about each supporter looking at it selfishly to work out how they can increase their own chances but rather doing what is fair and what is right for fans and the club.

Please explain the reasoning for your answer in terms of what effect you think it will have and why this is beneficial?

Responses should be sent to mailbox awaygamefeedback@manutd.co.uk by 30^th April.  Final proposals will be confirmed at the May Forum meeting. 

1. Should new season-ticket holders be prohibited from applying for domestic away tickets for three seasons?

2. Should right to apply for away tickets be governed by not only by how many home games you buy tickets for but rather how many home games you actually attend in person (and support the team)?

3.  Should a limited number of domestic away tickets be set aside for adults wanting to go with juniors to promote the next generation of away fans? 

4. Would you be in favour of the club taking action to improve fan behaviour at domestic away games, for example, to stop people blocking aisles? What action would you like to see taken?

5. To clampdown on ticket touting and ensure the person who was assigned the ticket for domestic away games actually attends, should the club introduce an ID check system? If so, what system would you favour?

6. Do you think the Loyalty Pot should remain as it is with no new members admitted, be changed (if so how?) or be removed (if so why?)

7. In addition to domestic home game attendance and away game applications as a measure of loyatly should the number of European away games applied for/attended also add to loyalty points to increase chances for those ultra loyal fans?

Official message from Manchester United to season ticket holders.

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Responses should be sent to mailbox awaygamefeedback@manutd.co.uk by 30^th April.  Final proposals will be confirmed at the May Forum meeting. 

Away Ballots Final Proposals

Following an extensive review over the last few months, the Fans’ Forum is proposing a number of improvements to the process of Away ticket balloting

We are asking for specific feedback on these proposals.

The proposals are summarised in this note.

LOYALTY POT (LP) LONGER TERM

Both the Forum and the Club endorse the continuing principle of a Loyalty scheme based on long-term attendance/application for domestic away games. But it needs to be redesigned to make it more open and dynamic.  Currently, to qualify for the Loyalty Pot, a fan had to have applied for every away game during a particular period during the 2002/03 season.  We want to allow fans who have shown great loyalty since then to enjoy the benefits of the Loyalty Pot.

This degree of change is beyond the scope of what we initially agreed to look at so we can’t introduce a new scheme for next season as it needs more analysis & design, consultation and notice of change. We should aim for it to be in place for 2014/15.

MEASURES FOR NEXT SEASON

1             Redistribution of Current Allocations

Ballot processes so far this season have reduced LP success rates by about 9% to around 78% (in part due to a run of lower allocation games). This has resulted in a small benefit to ST applicants (now around 15% success rate). Distribution will have to be reviewed further as part of the new Loyalty scheme from 2014/15.

For 2013/14 we should keep LP success at 80% which equates to an average of 750 per game. This percentage should be retained even if LP applicants fall further during next season.

2          Qualifying Period for New Season Ticket Holders

From next season, no new Season ticket holder will be able to apply for away games until they reach Silver level which has reduced from 5 years tenure to 3 years.  All existing Red ST holders will be able to continue to apply.

3          Application and allocation controls

We want to ensure that, as far as possible, tickets are allocated to and used by those who are actually applying - but we do not want to prevent informal exchange trading between regular applicants, or create unreasonable demands on applicants or the Club.

Proposed measures could lead to fewer applications (increasing success rates for those applying genuinely), help to ‘audit’ the current applications base in advance of a new loyalty scheme, and tackle ticket touting (including all sources of premium price tickets).

Some or all of the following may be used during 2013/14:

1.    Identity and match going status of all current LP members to be re-validated (method may include some form of ID ticket collection for a few selected games, which may include presenting Season Tickets as proof of identity)

2.    Club exercise due diligence with club allocated tickets (player, sponsors etc) on conditions of ticket use.

3.    Discourage multiple and proxy applications in the ST pot – may include validating secondary applicants and/or tickets sent out separately to grouped applications.

4.    Discourage Execs from applying on behalf of others as this impacts on success rates of fellow execs

5.    Sustained Club follow up on all premium ticket sale sources

4          Addressing Reduced Allocation Issues

Actions to improve success rates of ST applicants will be wiped out by continued reduced allocations imposed by clubs or local Safety Advisory Groups.

Incidents have occurred at several games this season. Multiple incidents at Chelsea Capital One Cup (flare, bottle, pitch encroachment) led to a renewed reduction at Spurs. There were further incidents at Swansea (flare) and West Ham (seat on pitch). Other matches have reported issues of major aisle encroachment and steward abuse.

The Forum recognises the efforts of club officials and of supporter groups in negotiating with clubs and authorities and encouraging appropriate behaviour. This was particularly successful for the Anfield game following the Hillsborough report. But, we need ideas and commitment to do more in the interest of the core away fan base.

MEASURES FOR CONSIDERATION BUT NOT FOR 2013/14

1          Possible Registration Scheme for Away Applicants

Club officials have suggested that a registration scheme could help to persuade clubs and authorities not to reduce allocations. The suggested scheme would require both a ticket (notindividually named) and personal photo ID card to enter a ground. It might also discourage occasional applicants (eg for popular games). But there would be costs for the club and applicants and some may have civil liberty concerns.

A compromise idea would be for ticket holders to show the Season Ticket of the supporter in whose name the away ticket was issued.  This would have the benefit of allowing genuine fans to swap tickets in the event that the original supporter cannot attend the game but with the proviso that the applicant has to give the fan attending the game something of value (ie his or her United Season Ticket) in order to prove they legitimately hold the ticket.

Neither the Club nor fan members of the forum are committed at this stage but we agreed to seek initial views from fans on the concept and principles.

2          Possible Separate (limited) Allocation for Family Stand (FS) Applicants

There has been a suggestion that there should be a limited scheme to provide dedicated tickets (located together in appropriate seating) for Family Stand applicants - ie an adult accompanied by a junior.

Proposed 25-30 pairs (50-60 seats) per game. For a few games this might be negotiable in the opposing team family area. FS applicants would not be able to apply additionally in the ST pot.  Any net ‘loss’ to be borne by ST Pot (offsetting some gain from LP)

FEEDBACK REQUEST

Although we have sought earlier feedback that generated the ideas that now form the basis of our proposals, we would like your view on the final proposals and other key questions.

The Club is committed to an updated Loyalty Pot and the three year qualification period, but we would like any views on the following:

1.    Initial views on how the Loyalty pot could be altered to incorporate the principle of ‘recent loyalty’

2.    Proposal for limited Adult & Junior allocation

3.    Other proposals to control applications and allocations

4.    Further potential actions to address minority fan behaviour/reduced allocation issues

5.    Views on the principles of a registration scheme and/ or the use of home Season Tickets to prove identity.

Responses should be sent to mailbox awaygamefeedback@manutd.co.uk by 30^th April.  Final proposals will be confirmed at the May Forum meeting.

Fans’ Forum

April 2013

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REDSAWAY: How to take part in away ticket distribution consultation http://bit.ly/17tYk4I

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NOTES TO EDITORS

The Locality guide: Community Right to Bid – the Implications for Supporters Trusts can be downloaded from this page:
http://bit.ly/11npdDb

To contact Trafford Council Communications team: 
communications@trafford.gov.uk 
0161 912 4080 

Trafford Council Mayor's Office

mayors.office@trafford.gov.uk

0161 912 4221

Leader of Trafford Council

Matthew Colledge

matthew.colledge@trafford.gov.uk

0161 980 1792

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PRESS RELEASE

EMBARGOED UNTIL 13:00, FRIDAY APRIL 26th, 2013

The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust has nominated Old Trafford to be listed as an 'Asset of Community Value'

MUST paves way for fans to have a say in Old Trafford’s future

MUST, the independent Manchester United Supporters’ Trust, announced today that it has submitted a nomination to TraffordCouncil for Old Trafford Football Stadium, the home of Manchester United Football Club, to be registered as an 'Asset of Community Value' under the "Assets of Community Value Regulations of the Localism Act (2011)". 

The listing of Old Trafford Football Stadium as a ‘Community Asset’ by the council would mean that in any circumstance where the stadium’s current owner were to look to dispose of it, the Manchester United fan community – led by the ManchesterUnited Supporters’ Trust - would have the opportunity to secure Old Trafford’s future.

 MUST believes that the listing will:

·  Reduce the chance that, without prior notice to the local council and community, Manchester United Football Club could move to another location

·  Protect the stadium’s viable use as venue for Manchester United Football Club for current and future generations

·  Ensure it continues as a site for delivering social benefit and community value, both through the continued hosting of Manchester United’s matches, and through the associated community activities Manchester United undertakes

·  Help ensure a sustainable future for Manchester United within the community, with the community potentially owning a stake in the stadium

·  Provide the opportunity to use the non-football revenues generated by the stadium to support Manchester Unitedand its sporting and community activities

·  Ensure that Trafford Borough continues to receive the economic benefits associated with match day activities and the value derived by providing the home to a truly global brand

In its nomination to Trafford Council, MUST set out a number of reasons why Old Trafford Football Stadium qualifies as an Asset of Community Value. Manchester United delivers both social value and community benefit to Trafford, Manchesterand Salford, and more broadly as an integral part of the local area. The Club’s history in Manchester goes back to its founding in 1878 as Newton Heath Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Football Club.

MUST has sought specialist legal advice on this application and we’ve been advised our nomination is very strong, meets the criteria set out within the legislation and furthermore that there would be the option to take this to Judicial Review should the nomination fail to proceed.

The application by MUST now resides with Trafford Council to consider and they will have up to 8 weeks to make that decision. Should the owning Glazer Family (majority shareholders) wish to appeal against a successful nomination on the basis that OldTrafford is not an Asset of Community Value this would clearly represent a rather odd position given the Club’s longstanding statements on this matter including in its own charter and the website of its community engagement arm – The ManchesterUnited Foundation.

Following a successful listing should the owner of the asset wish to sell they will be required to notify the Council and MUSTwill then have six weeks to lodge a non-binding expression of interest, in which case a window of opportunity of a further four and half months, (making six months in total), will come into effect to delay the sale. The full moratorium period exists to afford community interest groups sufficient time to prepare and raise money to bid for the property, potentially in competition with other interested parties.

MUST is grateful to the Department for Local Government and Communities for its invaluable support and assistance with the application process. We understand Liverpool Supporters’ Union are also in the process of submitting a similar application and expect many more supporters’ trusts will nominate their stadia as Assets of Community Value over the coming months.  We look forward to Government building on this initiative to further encourage co-operative ownership of football clubs.

Quotes

1. A spokesperson for MUST said:

“It is important to understand that a successful listing gives us the ‘right to bid’ rather than the ‘right to buy’. However a listing reduces the chances that Old Trafford could be secretly sold off and worse still Manchester United FC move to a new location, as we’ve seen with such disastrous effects at several other English clubs – perhaps the worst example being Wimbledon/MK Dons.

We don’t have any reason to assume the Glazers currently have any plans to sell Old Trafford and we’d anticipate denials to that effect should they respond to such questions at this time. However if that truly is the case they should have no reason to oppose this application.  On the contrary they should welcome the emergence of any potential bidder as it simply provides an option but no obligation to accept any bid.

We invite Manchester United fans in the community to contact their local Councillor to express support for this nomination and we will also be encouraging supporters to join the trust through our website so that they can be part of the preparations we are putting in place to create a future ownership vehicle for Old Trafford should an intention to sell be notified to us.

We have a number of fundraising activities planned, including a local lottery, to raise funds as seed capital for a future bid vehicle. We anticipate that the vast majority of funds would only be raised in the six months following notification of an intention to sell and we will be exploring the potential opportunity to launch a Community Shares issue in this event. However these preparations and fundraising activities must be started immediately to maximise our chances of success if/when the opportunity arises and furthermore such funds could quickly be diverted into a fans’ share purchase fund in the event that a meaningful stake in the football club itself becomes available.”

2. Supporters Direct, the national body for supporters’ trusts, said

“We fully support MUST's application to designate Old Trafford as an Asset of Community Value. If it's possible to protect a work of art, then surely a football stadium deserves similar protection. We hope that the wider game acknowledges the importance of this move.”

 -           ENDS – 

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Locality guide: Community Right to Bid – the Implications for Supporters Trusts can be downloaded from this page:
http://bit.ly/11npdDb

To contact Trafford Council Communications team: 
communications@trafford.gov.uk 
0161 912 4080

Department for Communities and Local Government

Media enquiries

030 3444 1201

contactus@communities.gsi.gov.uk

Trafford Council Mayor's Office

mayors.office@trafford.gov.uk

0161 912 4221

Leader of Trafford Council

Matthew Colledge

matthew.colledge@trafford.gov.uk

0161 980 1792

Deputy Leader of Trafford Council

Alex Williams

alex.williams@trafford.gov.uk

0161 980 3967

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MUST - the Manchester United Supporters Trust
www.joinmust.org

MUST is the independent Manchester United Supporters' Trust, a not-for-profit organisation with 180,000 members stretching around the world

Our Inspirational Dream 
Manchester United FC owned by the fans and run for the fans.

Our Greatest Imaginable Challenge 
To create the opportunity for all United fans to share in the ownership of their club, inspiring the participation of at least one million supporters.

MUST is the independent Manchester United Supporters' Trust, a not-for-profit organisation and an Industrial and Provident Society registered with the Financial Services Authority (30024R) under the name I-MUST Limited with offices at MUST, Trafford House, Chester Road, Stretford, MANCHESTER M32 0RS

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Thanks to @AntonAlfy for this special festive MUFC greeting from Fergie

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Got a strong opinion on the way football is run these days?

Think fans should have more say?

Feel like modern football is leaving you behind?

Or are you getting more involved ‘behind the scenes’ of football to try and make a difference?

Loughborough University are looking for passionate football fans to get involved with a piece of research they are doing about how supporters feel about football governance.

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