United supporters delay race at Hereford

The Muppet

Manchester United supporters protesting against main club shareholders JP McManus and John Magnier delayed the start of the sixth race at Hereford today.

A group of about 30 supporters carrying banners declaring ‘Quit the horseplay Coolmore’ and ‘United not for sale’ went out on to the track before the start of the 4.20pm race.


They then strung their banners across the open ditch, causing a delay of 10 minutes before security staff escorted them from the track.

The protestors chose the Jenkinsons Caterers Beginners’ Chase as the McManus-owned Majestic Moonbeam was a runner in the two-mile contest.

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Fair play lads.

what did the banners say then?

kmart6

Now there hardcore fans

Ronaldo7

Thats dedication...

Either that or unemployed bums with nothing better to do.

tHE vAGGABOND

Either that or unemployed bums with nothing better to do.

lol..

There should be plenty of work, buttering the bread for all the prawn sarnie eaters at old trafford

The Muppet

PRESS RELEASE - Operation Moonbeam, 06-02-2004

On Friday 6th February a collection of Manchester United fans and shareholders undertook an operation to disrupt the 16:20 at Hereford racecourse on behalf of the Manchester Education Committee. This particular race and venue was chosen due to the fact that two of the original entrants - Hawk's Landing and Majestic Moonbeam - are believed to be connected to the Coolmore empire of John Magnier and JP MacManus.

The Manchester Education Committee (MEC) has no interest in horseracing but feels this course of action to be the most effective way of applying pressure on Coolmore to take heed of Manchester United fans' wishes when it comes to the ownership and running of Manchester United Football Club.

The MEC wishes to make clear that it originally had little or no interest in the ensuing legal action between Sir Alex Ferguson and Coolmore, it being a matter for the Irish courts to decide. However when Coolmore deliberately allow this dispute to publicly infringe upon and undermine the running of MUFC, as has happened in recent weeks, the MEC will resort to any means necessary in revenge.

Today's action will hopefully make Coolmore aware of the scope of the options open to the MEC. This was a small, relatively insignificant protest orchestrated by invitation only. Plans are already afoot to publicly announce a target "spectacular" at a more convenient time for all United fans to attend and disrupt. Meanwhile the MEC's intention is to hit more minor meetings such as Hereford until such time as Coolmore bow to the demands of the MEC.

It should be noted that the MEC agrees that the list of 99 questions submitted by Coolmore to MUFC plc regarding corporate governance of the organisation raises many legitimate concerns and we agree with the fact that the plc should be more open and answerable to shareholders and supporters alike. Many of their questions have been asked by supporters' groups and fanzines for years.

However:

1) Coolmore should note that the MEC will not allow MUFC to be abused as the plaything of any shareholder.

2) Coolmore should immediately agree to strike up a dialogue with leading supporters groups and abide by supporters' wishes for the future direction of the club.

3) Coolmore should note that should they seek to offload their holding in MUFC at any time, the MEC will hold them accountable should the shares be bought by anyone whom the MEC considers to be detrimental to the good of MUFC.

A full list of demands will follow in due course. At present the MEC is pursuing a course of peaceful and legitimate action and has managed to contain sections of Manchester United's support advocating more drastic measures. Any rash moves undertaken by Coolmore in the wake of today's protest could well provoke these factions into unilateral action and the MEC would accept no responsibility for what may occur. Coolmore should await further correspondence, afford it due consideration and then respond.

Editors' note: The Manchester Education Committee's forthcoming targets are not restricted within any geographical boundaries, a fact of which all prospective buyers of MUFC should be aware. Two separate Active Service Units based in Eire currently await orders to instigate hostilities; whilst in America, Mr Glazer should be aware that ex-pat members of the MEC have already mobilised. (He should also note that a sizeable contingent of the MEC will, if necessary, travel on MUFC's summer tour of the US.)

The MEC wishes to thank the two benefactors who financed today's operation. Coolmore should also be aware that the MEC has been approached by a leading Manchester entrepreneur who has promised major financial backing for future operations both in Britain and abroad.

Getting very nasty, hopefully both parties will see sense and either let the courts decide or sort it out betwenn themselves.

[DF]Lenny

Both sides are only using handbags at the moment,I for one cant wait to see some real s**t flying.

Nike_Dude

Bunch of idiots imo, they obviously understand very little about the issues at stake and just regard it as the big bad businessmen trying to bully the saintly manager. They will be lucky not to get done for it.

Both sides are only using handbags at the moment,I for one cant wait to see some real s**t flying

Yeah its going to be really interesting to see who backs down first, both are used to getting their own way

jank

a bit rich of utd fans saying hands off the club and to leave fergie alone when they are the biggest shareholder and own 1/4 of it!

they have every right to ask those questions about the management of the club in which they own a large stake!

AmenToThat

Id have let the horses trample the muppets into the dirt you cant go distrupting the sport of kings its just not done old chap!

Sorry for the pun but Man U fans really should take the blinkers off on this one!
Ferguson is the one who started all the court proceddings Magniers just fighting fire with fire!

The Muppet

Originally posted by AmenToThat
Id have let the horses trample the muppets into the dirt you cant go distrupting the sport of kings its just not done old chap!

Obviously you can and it has been.:D

Originally posted by AmenToThat
Sorry for the pun but Man U fans really should take the blinkers off on this one!
Ferguson is the one who started all the court proceddings Magniers just fighting fire with fire!

Man U fans are not protesting because of the court case but the alledged dirty tricks campaign that has been waged against the manager.

Its just an indication of the loyalty and felling united fans have to their club to defend one of their own when they fell he is being victimised. Thats the spirit that makes the club GREAT.:D

Nike_Dude

Man U fans are not protesting because of the court case but the alledged dirty tricks campaign that has been waged against the manager

This is the thing I dont get about the protest. Magnier has a lot of money in Man Utd, money which is being used to buy players like Saha, he is well entitled to ask the questions which he did. After all the club is a plc and shareholders are interested in making money

AthAnRi

nike_Dude says

This is the thing I dont get about the protest. Magnier has a lot of money in Man Utd, money which is being used to buy players like Saha, he is well entitled to ask the questions which he did. After all the club is a plc and shareholders are interested in making money

Yes he is entitled to ask these questions and if you read the whole article again you will see the the MEC agree with Magnier's questions and have in fact said that he is merely echoing questions which have been asked by them in the past.

What they are annoyed about is that Magnier is obviously stirring **** because of his own personal interest not for the interest of the club.

It should be noted that the MEC agrees that the list of 99 questions submitted by Coolmore to MUFC plc regarding corporate governance of the organisation raises many legitimate concerns and we agree with the fact that the plc should be more open and answerable to shareholders and supporters alike. Many of their questions have been asked by supporters' groups and fanzines for years.

MEC are merely voicing there concerns that Magnier may only be buying into UTD to unsettle Alex Ferguson.

AmenToThat

Originally posted by The Muppet

Its just an indication of the loyalty and felling united fans have to their club to defend one of their own when they fell he is being victimised. Thats the spirit that makes the club GREAT.:D

The fans may be loyal to the CLUB
But Man U transformed themselves into something far more than simply a football club they are now a global brand and as such will have to learn to live within that harsh business enviroment.
Man U fans were happy enough with this situation while the profits roled in and the big name players were purchased but as soon a the investors in this brand start causing trouble the fans say no fair we want our CLUB back!
So tough **** to Man U I say, you swim with sharks long enough and eventually youll get eaten.

Nike_Dude

yeah I agree AthAnRi that Magnier is basically doing it to get at Ferguson, however it is in Man Utd's interest both supporters and shareholders that someone gets to the bottom of the situation regarding the 99 questions and provide some proper answers.
Ferguson might start to get 'dirty' too, I read somewhere that he is thinking about challenging the legality of the tax free system for stud farms in Ireland and with Magniers solicitors looking over Fergie's interviews to try and get him for slander it doesnt look like this is going to be resolved soon