02/03/2010
MUST and the Red Knights Join Forces
MUST – the Manchester United Supporters Trust welcomes the statement today (copied below) on behalf of the Red Knight Group.
Duncan Drasdo, chief executive of MUST said "I can confirm that we were present at the 'secret' meeting of the Red Knight Group yesterday and have been involved in discussions for some time. This development is hugely welcome as there is a genuine desire to see a change of ownership at Manchester United".
"Initially the Red Knight Group has effectively set a challenge to Manchester United supporters to demonstrate they wish to see an alternative ownership proposal developed. In the first instance supporters are being asked to do this simply by joining the free online membership of the Supporters Trust (MUST) and swelling its ranks to an initial target of at least 100,000."
"It is also essential for a majority of two key groups, the Old Trafford Season Ticket holders and those with Executive facilities, to show their appetite for participation by joining the MUST online campaign."
JOIN MUST FOR FREE: joinmust.org/free
Contacts today:
Duncan Drasdo, chief executive (based in Manchester)
Available for interview outside the Soccerex at Manchester Central from noon today.
Oliver Houston, vice chair (based in London)
For information below is the press release from Finsbury representing the Red Knights Group:
Following the intense media speculation overnight, we can confirm that a group of high net worth individuals, who support Manchester United (known as the "Red Knights"), met in London yesterday. This group is supportive of current management but are looking at the feasibility of putting together a proposal to be put to the Glazer Family regarding the ownership of Manchester United. These discussions are in early stages and no contact has been made with the Glazer Family.
For such a proposal to be viable, it would require the involvement and support of Manchester United supporters worldwide. The Red Knights have been liaising with the Manchester United Supporters Trust ("MUST") and their representatives attended yesterday's meeting. As a first step, the Red Knights want supporters to demonstrate their commitment by joining the free online membership of the Supporters Trust.
Any new ownership model would aim not only to put the Club on a sound financial footing, but would also aim to put the supporters at the heart of everything the Club does.
In the coming weeks the Red Knights will continue to work with MUST and others to formulate our proposal and further statements will be issued in due course.
Contacts:
Finsbury Group
James Leviton 0044 207 251 3801
Emily Dimmock